Sen. Feinstein Expresses Serious Misgivings Over Evans Dismissal
ASBAREZ, 1/13/2007
LOS ANGELES–The Armenian National Committee of America — Western
Region Thursday praised Senator Diane Feinstein’s concerns regarding
the dismissal of former Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans. The
Senator, in her correspondence with the Western Region, shared that
she is closely looking into the nomination of Richard Hoagland to be
the next Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia.
In her letter to the Armenian National Committee of America — Western
Region, Senator Feinstein expressed severe misgivings about the
dismissal of John Marshall Evans and the nomination of Richard
Hoagland as the next Ambassador to Armenia. Senator Feinstein further
solidified her commitment to recognizing the Armenian Genocide and in
representing the views and concerns of Armenian Americans in
California, as well as throughout the United States.
The correspondence includes the Senator’s most recent statement on the
91st anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. "Everyday, numerous
constituents from different backgrounds call my office asking what
Congress and the Administration is doing to prevent genocide from
occurring again," states Feinstein. "It is absolutely essential that
we do not let history repeat itself. We can — and we must — do
better."
Richard Hoagland was first nominated as Ambassador-designate on May
23, 2006 by President Bush. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), took a
principled stance on September 12, 2006 by placing a parliamentary
hold on the nomination of Hoagland and urged the Administration to
revise its policy on the Armenian Genocide. On December 8th of last
year, after the Senate failed to confirm Hoagland, his nomination was
returned to the President upon the adjournment of the 109th
Congress. With the expiration of the Hoagland nomination, the
President was free to appoint a new candidate for the position in the
110th Congress, but chose instead to submit Hoagland’s name again
despite strong Congressional opposition to his confirmation.
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 throughout the 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.