28/07/2026
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has officially adopted Resolution HR 553, recognizing May 19 as Pontic Greek Genocide Remembrance Day across the state. The measure passed by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 200 in favor and just 2 opposed, marking a significant milestone for the Pontic Greek and Greek American communities.
Introduced by Democratic State Representative Steven R. Malagari, the resolution commemorates the persecution of the Pontic Greeks between 1914 and 1923, including mass deportations, death marches, massacres, and forced displacement. It states that approximately 353,000 Pontic Greeks lost their lives during this period and emphasizes the importance of preserving historical memory through education and annual commemorative events in schools, universities, and public institutions.
The resolution is widely seen as the result of years of advocacy by Pontic organizations and the Greek American community in Pennsylvania, who worked with state legislators to raise awareness of the historical events. Community leaders described the vote as another important step toward broader international recognition of the Pontic Greek Genocide and the preservation of historical memory.
With Pennsylvania’s action, the state joins a growing list of U.S. states that have officially recognized or commemorated the Pontic Greek Genocide and the broader persecution of the Greeks of Asia Minor. These include New York, New Jersey, Florida, Rhode Island, Indiana, South Dakota, West Virginia, Iowa, and Alabama, along with numerous cities, counties, and gubernatorial proclamations across the United States.
