Pennsylvania legislation · 2025-2026 Regular Session
Pennsylvania HR553: A Resolution designating May 19, 2026, as "Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania.
Status: Passed both chambers, June 29, 2026
What the bill says
A resolution Designating May 19, 2026, as "Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania.
From the introduced text, June 5, 2026:
A RESOLUTION Designating May 19, 2026, as "Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania. WHEREAS, This Commonwealth is proud to be the home of numerous ethnic communities, many of whom have prospered and enjoyed the freedom and democracy upon which our nation was founded; however, tragically throughout history, the people of many countries have not realized the same autonomy and equality; and WHEREAS, From 1914 until 1923, in a systematic attempt to exterminate an entire population, the Ottoman Empire directed the killing of 353,000 Pontian and Anatolian Greeks and more than 1 million Armenians and Assyrians living in Pontos, and an equal number who were forced to flee their homeland; and WHEREAS, The Ottoman Empire engaged in exile, starvation, slaughter and murder, using axes and fire to massacre the Pontian Greek population and perpetrate the first mass genocide of the 20th century; and WHEREAS, The Armenian Genocide was conceived and carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923 and resulted in the deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians, of whom 1.5 million men, women and children were killed, and the remaining 500,000 survived but were expelled from their homes; and WHEREAS, It is vital and proper to remember those who lost their lives in the Pontian Genocide, and it is paramount that people of all nations look at …
Sponsors
- Steven Malagari (D, 53) · primary sponsor
- Eddie Pashinski (D, 121)
- Benjamin Sanchez (D, 153)
- Napoleon Nelson (D, 154)
- Ed Neilson (D, HD-174)
- Nancy Guenst (D, 152)
- Joseph Hohenstein (D, 177)
- Tarik Khan (D, 194)
- Roni Green (D, 190)
Latest actions
- : (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 29, 2026
- : Adopted, June 29, 2026 (200-2)
- : Reported as committed, June 9, 2026
- : Referred to TOURISM, RECREATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, June 5, 2026
Votes
- House Floor: HR0553, RC 1274 (June 29, 2026): 200 yea, 2 nay, passed
- House Tourism, Recreation & Economic Development: Report Bill As Committed (June 9, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
Common questions
- What is HR553?
- HR553 is a bill in the Pennsylvania Legislature (2025-2026 Regular Session): A Resolution designating May 19, 2026, as "Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania.
- What does HR553 do?
- In its own words: A resolution Designating May 19, 2026, as "Pontian Greek Genocide Remembrance Day" in Pennsylvania.
- What is the status of HR553?
- Passed both chambers as of June 29, 2026. Latest action: (Remarks see House Journal Page ), June 29, 2026 (June 29, 2026).
- Who sponsored HR553?
- Steven Malagari (D, 53), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HR553?
- On the Pennsylvania Legislature website: https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/hr553
Source: official Pennsylvania record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.