This resolution expresses support for designating April 17, 2025, as "Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day" to honor the victims and survivors of the Khmer Rouge regime.
Lori Trahan
Representative
MA-3
This resolution expresses the formal support of Congress for designating April 17, 2025, as Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day. The day honors the nearly two million victims who perished under the brutal Khmer Rouge regime, which began on that date in 1975. It also recognizes the resilience of survivors and encourages the President to issue a proclamation for national observance.
Congress Designates April 17, 2025, as Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day: Honoring Victims and Survivors
This resolution officially designates April 17, 2025, as "Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day." This date marks the 50th anniversary of the fall of Phnom Penh to the Khmer Rouge regime, which initiated a brutal four-year period where nearly 2,000,000 Cambodian people—about a quarter of the country’s population—were killed through starvation, torture, and murder.
The Meaning Behind the Date
For most people, a Congressional resolution might sound like bureaucratic noise, but this one carries significant weight for the Cambodian-American community. The main purpose here is formal federal recognition of this devastating historical event. By setting aside April 17th, Congress is showing the utmost respect for the victims and honoring the incredible resilience of the survivors who managed to build new lives here in the United States, often in cities like Long Beach, CA, and Lowell, MA. This isn't about creating a new federal holiday with a day off work; it’s about acknowledging a painful history and ensuring it isn't forgotten.
What This Means in the Real World
Since this is a symbolic resolution, it doesn't change any laws or regulations, and it won't impact your taxes or your commute. Its impact is entirely focused on remembrance and education. For Cambodian-American families, particularly those who have worked for decades to gain this level of official recognition, this designation validates their experience and history. It acknowledges the communities that have already been observing this day locally, like the state of Massachusetts and several major cities, and brings that recognition to a national stage.
In practical terms, the resolution asks the President to issue a formal proclamation, encouraging all Americans to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. This means that next year, you can expect to see more educational programs, museum exhibits, and community events focusing on the history of the Cambodian genocide and the contributions of the Cambodian diaspora. For teachers and students, this provides an official impetus to include this critical piece of human rights history in their curricula, ensuring the lessons of that brutal regime—and the strength of its survivors—are passed on.