Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
ancawr@anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
May 5, 2004
Contact: Ardashes Kassakhian
Telephone: 818.500.1918
ANC PRAISES REPUBLICANS ADVANCING GENOCIDE REAFFIRMATION IN CONGRESS AND
ACROSS THE NATION
GOP Elected Officials Spearhead Efforts For Genocide Acknowledgment In
Congress and Western United States
Los Angeles, CA – The largest Armenian-American grassroots public
affairs organization in the Western United States issued a statement
today praisinga number of Republican legislators in the U.S. Congress.
The statement issued by the Armenian National Committee of America –
Western Region praisedGOP members of Congress for their outstanding
support on issues of concern to tens of thousands of Armenian American
voters throughout California, Nevada and other western states.
The statement went on to praise Republican Governors in the states of
Idaho, Montana, and Nebraska for joining the growing list of states
that have officially acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. April 2004
marked a month when a record number of Governors issued proclamations
acknowledging the Armenian Genocide and April 24th as a Day of
Remembrance. The list includes Republican Governors Dirk Kempthorne
of Idaho, Judy Martz of Montana, and Mike Johannsof Nebraska.
In addition to praising these states for their acknowledgement of the
Genocide, the ANCA-WR praised Republican Governor of California,
Arnold Schwarzenegger for designating April 24th in the State of
California, as a Day of Remembrance for the Genocide. Republican
State Senator Chuck Poochigian presented the proclamation to the
Armenian-American community at the ANCA-WR organized April 24
Commemoration in Montebello, California.
`We appreciate the work of our Republican friends, particularly
theGovernors and members of Congress who supported the ANC’s
initiatives to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and urge
Congress to pass resolutions acknowledging this crime against
humanity,’ stated ANCA-WR Government Relations Director Armen
Carapetian.
Last week the Nevada ANC honored Senator John Ensign (R-NV) as the
â=80=9CANC Man of the Year’ for his staunch support of Armenian
American issues. Senator Ensign introduced Senate Resolution 164,
which reaffirms America’s commitment to preventing genocides and
punishing perpetrators of genocide. The legislation also clearly
recognizes the mass murder of Armenians from 1915 to 1923 as a case of
genocide. Currently the bill has the support of over 39 Senators,
including 9 Republican Senators.
Several months ago, the Orange County ANC honored Congressman Ed Royce
(R-Fullerton) with the local chapter’s Freedom Award. Rep. Royce
serves on the influential International Relations Committee and has
had a long track record of support of issues that are of concern to
his Armenian-American constituency. During his remarks at the ANCA
Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance last week, Rep. Royce
renewed his pledge to fight for official acknowledgment ofthe Armenian
Genocide.
The ANCA-WR honored Republican Congressman George Radanovich
(R-Fresno) as its `Man of the Year’ several months ago at its largest
event of the year. Radanovich is the principal author and sponsor of
H.R. 193, which acknowledges the Armenian Genocide. That legislation,
which was passed unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee on May
21, 2003 is awaiting a vote on the House Floor.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughoutthe United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
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