Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: anca@anca.org
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PRESS RELEASE
December 28, 2006
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

ANCA WELCOMES JOHN EDWARDS’ ENTRY INTO PRESIDENTIAL RACE

— Former North Carolina Senator Supported
Legislation Recognizing the Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
today welcomed the entry of John Edwards, a former Senator from
North Carolina who supports U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, into the race for the 2008 Democratic nomination for U.S.
President.

"We are always pleased to see friends of the Armenian American
community running for the White House," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. "In the coming months, as the field of
candidates takes shape – in both the Democratic and Republican
parties, we look forward to learning more about each presidential
aspirant’s positions on the full range of Armenian American
issues."

During his tenure in the Senate, Edwards supported issues of
special concern to Armenian Americans, including official U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. In 2002, Senator Edwards
cosponsored S.Res.307, which marked the 15th anniversary of the
U.S. implementation of the U.N. Genocide Convention. The following
year, he was an original cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, S.Res.164.

During his run for the 2004 Democratic Presidential nomination,
Sen. Edwards spoke with ANCA leaders about the importance of
impressing upon Armenia’s neighbors that "We [America] stand fully
behind Armenia." In public remarks during the campaign, he
stressed that America’s interest are served by recognizing the
Armenian Genocide, noting that, "it is the just thing to do; it is
about time we [Americans] recognized it."

Among the most likely Republican presidential contenders, two New
Yorkers stand out as especially strong supporters of Armenian
issues. Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani hosted
commemorations of the Armenian Genocide in City Hall and maintained
close relations with the Armenian National Committee of New York.
Outgoing New York Governor George Pataki, during his twelve years
as governor, maintained excellent relations with the leadership of
the Armenian community, and emerged as the nation’s most vocal and
energetic state-level leader working toward U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide.

Former Virginia Governor and Republican National Committee Chairman
Jim Gilmore is a long-standing supporter of Armenian issues. As
governor of the Commonwealth, he served as Chairman of Virginia’s
April 24th commemorations and inaugurated the Virginia-Armenia
Advisory Commission. Senator John McCain (R-NV), during his
lengthy Senate service, has generally not been supportive of
Armenian American issues, but does maintain a relationship with the
Arizona Armenian community. Despite the high level of civic
participation by the Bay State’s Armenian community, outgoing
Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney was largely indifferent to
Armenian American issues during his term in office. Senator Sam
Brownback (R-KS) for many years opposed Armenian American issues,
particularly concerning restrictions on U.S. aid to Azerbaijan, but
has, in recent years, emerged as an advocate for U.S. recognition
of the Armenian Genocide.

Among the potential, or already announced, Democratic candidates
who have supported U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide are
Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Joseph Biden, the incoming Chairman of
the Foreign Relations Committee, Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY),
Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Barack Obama (D-IL), retired General
Wesley Clark, Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), and New Mexico
Governor Bill Richardson. Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack has no record
on Armenian issues. Former Vice President Al Gore supported
Armenian Genocide recognition during his service in the Senate,
but, as part of the Clinton-Gore White House, blocked adoption of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress