Friday, April 24, 2026

Pasadena’s Harabedian Leads Assembly in Recognizing 111th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide

The only Armenian American in the Legislature, the District 41 assemblymember presented a resolution and honored an advocacy group days before the April 24 commemoration

Assemblymember John Harabedian of Pasadena stood before the California State Assembly on April 20 and presented House Resolution 97, formally designating April 24, 2026, as the state’s Day of Commemoration of the 111th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

He is the only Armenian American serving in the California Legislature. The resolution passed the Assembly that day.

HR 97, introduced by Assemblymember Nick Schultz with Harabedian as a co-author, recognizes the systematic killing of more than 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923, affirms the historical record, and condemns ongoing efforts to deny the genocide, according to the legislative text. The resolution also pledges continued support for educators who teach about human rights and genocide. Assemblymember Juan Alanis, a Republican from Modesto, joined the measure as a coauthor — one of 13 legislators from both parties listed as sponsors, according to legislative records.

The resolution had cleared committee on April 13 with a unanimous vote of 10-0 before reaching the full Assembly floor, according to the Legislature’s official tracking records.

“As an Armenian American and Chair of the Armenian Caucus, it is critically important that we formally recognize the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide and pay tribute to the 1.5 million Armenians who were murdered,” Harabedian said in a statement released by his office. “As we reflect on this horrific injustice, we also celebrate the strength, resilience, and unity of the Armenian diaspora in California and our many contributions to communities across the state.”

Harabedian, a Democrat who represents the 41st Assembly District — which includes Pasadena, Altadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Sierra Madre, Monrovia, and communities stretching east to Rancho Cucamonga — chairs the California Armenian Legislative Caucus Foundation. The caucus has expanded to 61 members across both chambers of the Legislature, according to its recent membership announcements.

Earlier in the week, on Monday, April 20, the caucus foundation held a remembrance luncheon honoring the Armenian community, according to a press release from Harabedian’s office. At the luncheon, Harabedian presented the Armenian National Committee of America with a certificate commemorating the organization’s advocacy efforts on behalf of the Armenian community, the press release stated.

The ANCA describes itself as the largest grassroots Armenian American advocacy organization in the country, with regional offices, local chapters, and supporters across all 50 states. The group has advocated for Armenian Genocide recognition, humanitarian aid, and U.S. policies supportive of Armenia for more than a century, according to information published on its website.

Harabedian’s office was also represented at commemorations held in Pasadena and Montebello, according to the press release.

The actions in Sacramento arrived as Pasadena prepared for its own observances. Mayor Victor M. Gordo proclaimed April 24 a Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to proclaim April 2026 as Armenian History Month — the 10th consecutive year it has done so — and to designate April 24 as Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day countywide. Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose 5th District includes Pasadena and Altadena, co-authored both county motions.

April 24 is recognized as an official state holiday in California. It marks the date in 1915 when Ottoman authorities arrested and deported hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders from Constantinople, widely considered the start of the genocide.

Pasadena has long ties to its Armenian American community. Residents erected a permanent memorial at Memorial Park in 2015 on the centennial of the genocide — a 16-foot tripod from which a single drop of water falls every 21 seconds into a stone basin below, tallying 1.5 million drops each year. On Thursday and Friday this week, that monument served as the focal point for student marches, candlelight vigils, and community gatherings.

Harabedian was born and raised in Sierra Madre within his district. His father has Armenian American and Cherokee heritage, according to published biographical accounts. Harabedian has said his family came to the United States during the Armenian Genocide. He was elected to the Assembly in November 2024 and maintains a district office at 257 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Suite 210, in Pasadena.

Southern California is home to approximately 200,000 Armenian Americans, the largest such concentration in the United States.

The resolution that passed the Assembly floor last week was one more link in a long chain. California has recognized the Armenian Genocide annually through legislative action for decades. The 1.5 million drops keep falling.

The information about Harabedian’s actions at the remembrance luncheon, the certificate presentation to the ANCA, and the representation at Pasadena and Montebello commemorations was sourced from a press release issued by Harabedian’s office on April 23, 2026. Contact: Sam Villaneda, Samantha.Villaneda@asm.ca.gov, (760) 269-9391; Tom Steel, Tom.Steel@asm.ca.gov, (530) 713-7783.