CONGRESSMAN RENZI JOINS US CONGRESS ARMENIAN CAUCUS

PanARMENIAN.Net
12.10.2006 14:42 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ At the urging of the Armenian Assembly of America
(AAA), Congressman Rick Renzi (R-AZ) joined the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues and signed on as a cosponsor of H. R. 3361, a
bill that would prohibit funding for a rail link connecting Turkey,
Georgia and Azerbaijan while bypassing Armenia, reports the AAA. "The
Armenian Assembly appreciates Congressman Renzi’s support of the rail
legislation and welcomes him to the Armenian Caucus," said Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We look forward to working with
him to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship."

The South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act, introduced by
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), along with Co-Chair
Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Caucus Member George Radanovich (R-CA),
is supported by nearly 100 lawmakers to date. Last month, the House
approved the Export-Import Bank Reauthorization Act of 2006, which
included an amendment which was strongly supported by the Assembly
and sponsored by Representatives Joseph Crowley (D-NY), together
with Congressmen Edward Royce (R-CA) and Brad Sherman (D-CA). The
provision ensures that no Export-Import funding is used for a costly
and unnecessary rail line that would exclude Armenia from economic
and regional transportation opportunities.

Renzi is the second member from the state of Arizona to join the
Armenian Caucus. He serves on the House Financial Services Committee,
the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and the Resources
Committee.