SCHIFF LAUDS LEADER PELOSI’S COMMITMENT TO GENOCIDE RECOGNITION LEGISLATION

Asbarez
11/1/2006

WASHINGTON–Congre ssman Adam Schiff, the author of Armenian
Genocide legislation, which passed the House International Relations
Committee, Friday, commended Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA)
for her support of Genocide recognition legislation. Pelosi recently
committed to support Armenian Genocide legislation in the 110th session
of Congress if she becomes Speaker of the House.The Speaker of the
House is responsible for the House Floor schedule and determines what
legislation is brought to the floor for a vote. With Leader Pelosi’s
past support of Genocide recognition legislation, it is anticipated
that if she becomes Speaker of the House she would schedule a vote
on a Genocide resolution.

"There is no hiding the fact that one and a half million Armenians
were deliberately murdered at the beginning of the 20th Century, and
it is high time that we as a nation recognized these heinous crimes
for what they were – a genocide," Schiff said."I stand with Leader
Pelosi in her commitment to get this important legislation passed.."

Over the last five and a half years, Schiff has worked hard to ensure
the U.S. and the international community recognizes the Armenian
Genocide.In June of 2005, Schiff secured a commitment for a mark-up
on Armenian Genocide Recognition legislation from House International
Relations Committee Chairman, Henry Hyde (R-IL).A mark-up is the
final hurdle a bill must pass before a vote by the full House of
Representatives is possible. The mark-up followed in September of
2005. Congressman Schiff’s work with Chairman Hyde enabled the House
International Relations Committee to pass Armenian Genocide legislation
(H. Con. Res. 195 and H. Res. 316) for the first time in five years.

Schiff’s resolution (H. Con. Res. 195) commemorates the Armenian
Genocide and urges Turkey to acknowledge the role of the Ottoman Empire
in it.The resolution also urges Turkey to go beyond recognition of
the Genocide and reach a just resolution with the Armenian people.

After passing the Schiff resolution, the Committee then approved a
second resolution sponsored by Congressmen G. Radanovich (R-CA),
Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), Adam Schiff and Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
that also recognized the Armenian Genocide (H. Res. 316).

Although Congressman Schiff’s legislation passed the House
International Relations Committee with overwhelming support, Speaker of
the House J. Dennis Hastert (R-IL) has refused to bring the legislation
to the House Floor so all Members can vote on it.

Congressman Adam Schiff is a member of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues.He represents California’s 29th Congressional District,
including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale,
Griffith Park, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena,
and Temple City.