The Rhode Island General Assembly has introduced a resolution to officially proclaim May 19th, 2026, as "Greek and Pontic Genocide Remembrance Day." This resolution acknowledges the tragic history of the Greek population in the Ottoman Empire, particularly from 1913 to 1923, during which a systematic extermination led to the deaths of approximately 353,000 Pontian Greeks and over a million Anatolian Greeks, alongside the mass killings of Armenians and Assyrians. The resolution emphasizes the importance of remembering these atrocities to ensure that such events are not repeated and honors the contributions of survivors and their descendants to the cultural fabric of Rhode Island.

The resolution calls for a solemn commemoration each year on May 19th, aligning with the 107th anniversary of the Pontian Greek Genocide in 2026. It aims to educate the public about this dark chapter in history and to pay tribute to those who suffered and perished during this period. The Senate has directed the Secretary of State to transmit certified copies of the resolution to the President of the Pan-Pontian Federation of the USA and Canada, reinforcing the commitment to remembrance and education regarding the Greek Genocide.

Introduced by Senators Raptakis, Tikoian, Gallo, Ciccone, Euer, Urso, and Kallman, the resolution was introduced on May 06 and has been placed on the Senate Consent Calendar.