Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

FIRST REGULAR SESSION
                     HOUSE CONCURRENT
                      RESOLUTION NO. 20
                            103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY
                        INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE WALSH MOORE.
    2999H.01I                                                             JOSEPH ENGLER, Chief Clerk


                                            AN ACT
                       Relating to Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day.


    Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

           WHEREAS, July 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, one of
 2 the darkest chapters in modern European history, where more than 8,000 Bosniak men and
 3 boys were systematically executed by Bosnian Serb forces in and around the town of
 4 Srebrenica in Bosnia and Herzegovina; and
 5
 6         WHEREAS, the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY)
 7 and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) have both recognized the atrocities committed in
 8 Srebrenica as genocide, a crime against humanity that deeply scars the collective conscience
 9 of the global community; and
10
11         WHEREAS, in 2005, the United States Congress adopted House Resolution 199,
12 officially recognizing the Srebrenica massacre as genocide and reaffirming the commitment
13 of the United States to the principles of justice, accountability, and reconciliation; and
14
15         WHEREAS, several U.S. states, including Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa, have passed
16 resolutions commemorating the Srebrenica genocide and establishing official days of
17 remembrance, reflecting a broad, nationwide recognition of this atrocity; and
18
19         WHEREAS, the state of Missouri is home to one of the largest Bosnian populations
20 outside of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a vibrant community that has greatly enriched the
21 cultural, social, and economic fabric of our state; and
22
HCR 20                                            2

23          WHEREAS, the Missouri Bosnian community has played a significant role in
24   educating the public about the events in Srebrenica and fostering dialogue around the
25   importance of remembrance, justice, and reconciliation; and
26
27           WHEREAS, it is the moral duty of the people of Missouri and the broader United
28   States to remember the victims of the Srebrenica genocide, to honor the survivors, and to
29   commit to the principles of human dignity, justice, and peace for all:
30
31          NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of
32   Representatives of the One Hundred Third General Assembly, First Regular Session, the
33   Senate concurring therein, hereby solemnly commemorate the 30th anniversary of the
34   Srebrenica genocide, honoring the memory of those who perished and standing in solidarity
35   with the survivors and the families of the victims; and
36
37          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that July 11, 2025, shall be designated as
38   "Srebrenica Genocide Remembrance Day" in Missouri in recognition of the profound loss
39   and suffering endured by the victims and their families, and as a reminder of the importance
40   of preventing such atrocities in the future; and
41
42          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Missouri General Assembly recognizes the
43   contributions of the Bosnian community in Missouri, particularly their efforts in promoting
44   awareness and understanding of the Srebrenica genocide, and encourages continued
45   educational initiatives to ensure that future generations learn from the past; and
46
47          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Missouri General Assembly reaffirms its
48   commitment to upholding the principles of human rights, justice, and the prevention of future
49   genocides, and calls upon all Missourians to join in these efforts; and
50
51           BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Missouri General Assembly stands in
52   solidarity with other states and the U.S. Congress in recognizing the Srebrenica genocide,
53   underscoring Missouri’s commitment to human rights and international justice; and
54
55           BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives
56   be instructed to prepare a properly inscribed copy of this resolution for President of the
57   United States, the United States Secretary of State, the Ambassador of Bosnia and
58   Herzegovina to the United States, the leaders of the Bosnian community in Missouri, and the
HCR 20                                           3

59 leaders of other states that have passed similar resolutions, as an expression of our shared
60 commitment to remembrance and justice; and
61
62        BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be sent to the Governor for his
63 approval or rejection pursuant to the Missouri Constitution.
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