HR796: HR796 Victims of communism; honor

25 LC 112 3493 House Resolution 796 By: Representatives Martinez of the 111th, Reeves of the 99th, Clifton of the 131st, Donatucci of the 105th, Chastain of the 7th, and others A RESOLUTION Recognizing and honoring the victims of communism; and for other purposes.1 WHEREAS, over 100 years have passed since the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia and the2 formation of the first communist government under Vladimir Lenin, leading to decades of3 oppression and violence under communist regimes throughout the world; and4 WHEREAS, based on the economic philosophies of Karl Marx, commu nism has proven5 incompatible with the ideals of liberty, prosperity, and dignity of human life and has given6 rise to such infamous totalitarian dictators as Joseph Stalin, Vladimir Lenin, Mao Zedong,7 János Kádár, Fidel Castro, Hugo Chávez, Daniel Ortega, Ho Chi Minh, Wojciech Jaruzelski,8 and Pol Pot; and9 WHEREAS, more than 100 million people have fallen victim to com munist regimes10 worldwide, representing many different ethnicities, creeds, and backgrounds; and11 WHEREAS, communist regimes have denied their own citizens of the rights to freedom of12 worship, freedom of speech, and freedom of association; and13 H. R. 796 - 1 - 25 LC 112 3493 WHEREAS, in addition to violating basic human rights, communist regimes have suppressed14 intellectual freedom, cultural life, and self-determination movements in numerous nations;15 and16 WHEREAS, the State of Georgia is home to many of these freedom-loving victims and their17 descendants from around the world who came to this great state in pursuit of the American18 Dream; and19 WHEREAS, it is abundantly fitting and proper that the members of this body acknowledge20 and recognize the victims of communist regimes.21 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that22 the members of this body recognize and honor the hundreds of millions of people who have23 fallen victim to communist regimes around the world.24 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized25 and directed to make appropriate copies of this resolution avai lable for distribution to the26 public and the press.27 H. R. 796 - 2 -