Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
April 28, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
OVER 40 LEGISLATORS COMMEMORATE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE WITH STATEMENTS
BEFORE CONGRESS
Lawmakers Call for U.S. Reaffirmation of Crimes Against Armenians
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly commended over 40 Armenian
issues supporters who in recent days have commemorated the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by issuing calls in the Senate
and House of Representatives for U.S. reaffirmation of this crime
against humanity.
Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), the highest ranking Democrat
in the Senate, said the United States must never forget the painful
lessons of the Armenian Genocide.
“The people of Armenia suffered greatly during the 20th century,” Reid
said. “We cannot allow genocide to occur ever again. I come to the
Senate floor to honor the victims of the Armenian Genocide and pledge
to uphold their sacrifice by standing against genocide and the
systematic killing of innocents wherever it may occur again.”
In the House of Representatives, Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) sent
his solemn wishes to Armenians everywhere and said, “April 24th marks
the anniversary of one of the most horrible tragedies of the 20th
century, the genocide that was committed against the Armenian people
by the Ottoman Empire.”
“Over the years many Armenian-Americans have helped to enrich and
enhance our Nation’s character; we have remained committed to peace in
the region and will continue to help Armenia with its economic
prosperity and strengthening of its democracy,” Cantor continued. “I
look forward to our nations working toward a future of peace,
prosperity, and continued freedom.”
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ), for his part, called it unfortunate that President Bush
failed to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide in his April 24
statement of remembrance. “The United States has the profound
responsibility of carrying on the tradition and the work of our
predecessors in continuing to combat genocide whenever and wherever it
takes place. We must show the world that individuals such as
Ambassador Morgenthau did not stay quiet 90 years ago and we in
Congress certainly owe it to them not to stay quiet today.”
Pallone also said he will work with his congressional colleagues to
introduce a genocide resolution this year, as was previously
introduced in the 108th and 106th Congresses.
Illinois Republican Rep. Mark Kirk told Congress that the activism of
the Armenian-American community is critical to gaining official
U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. “This anniversary serves
as a reminder of the horrible campaigns of genocide that occurred in
the past, from the Holocaust, to Rwanda, to today’s atrocities in
Darfur, Sudan,” Kirk said. “We must uphold our duties as global
defenders of human rights and give the Armenian community, as the
victims of the 20th Century’s first genocide, the recognition they
deserve.”
Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-NY), the Ranking Member of the House
Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, said that blind hatred
and senseless prejudice tear at the fabric of our society. “The
victims of the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, ethnic cleansing in
Kosovo, Rwanda and Sudan, and acts of vicious terrorism remind us of
the human cost of hate and implore us to prevent these tragedies from
happening again.”
Lowey also pledged to help ensure that Armenians live free of threats
to their existence and prosperity and to that end, promised to fight
to maintain high levels of economic assistance to Armenia.
Representative George Radanovich (R-CA), echoing Kirk, commended the
activism of the Armenian-American community which helped encourage
more than 170 House Members to sign a letter urging President Bush to
formally recognize the Armenian Genocide.
“The U.S. is fortunate to be home to an organized and active Armenian
community,” Radanovich said. “I pledge to continue my ongoing efforts
to sponsor initiatives that would build on our record towards an
inevitable, full and irrevocable U.S. affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide.”
To date, the following Senators and Representatives also commemorated
the April 24 anniversary before Congress:
In the U.S. Senate: Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Russell Feingold (D-WI),
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Herb Kohl (D-WI), Carl Levin (D-MI), Jack
Reed (D-RI), Paul Sarbanes (D-MD).
In the House of Representatives: Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Xavier Becerra
(D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA) Jeb Bradley (R-NH), John Conyers (D-MI),
Jim Costa (D-CA), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY), Eliot
Engel (D-NY), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY), Michael
Honda (D-CA), James Langevin (D-RI), Sander Levin (D-MI), Stephen
Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Edward Markey (D-MA), James
McGovern (D-MA), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Martin Meehan (D-MA), Robert
Menendez (D-NJ), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Joe Schwarz (R-MI), John
Shimkus (R-IL), Christopher Smith (R-NJ), Mark Souder (R-IN), Chris
Van Hollen (D-MD), Henry Waxman (D-CA), Anthony Weiner (D-NY).
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
organization.
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NR#2005-046