Armenian National Committee of America
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PRESS RELEASE
January 30, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
(202) 775-1918
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION INTRODUCED IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
— Reps. Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, Frank
Pallone and Joe Knollenberg Hold Capitol Hill
Press Conference to Launch Anti-Genocide Measure
WASHINGTON, DC – Speaking today at a Capitol Hill press conference,
Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA) and
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) joined together in announcing the support of
more than 160 of their House colleagues for the introduction of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
Joining with the four legislators as original cosponsors of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106) are Congressmen Brad
Sherman (D-CA) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), both strong supporters
of Armenian Genocide recognition as well as senior members of the
House Foreign Affairs Committee, the influential panel which will
first consider this legislation prior to a vote on the House floor.
The resolution is similar to legislation introduced in the previous
session of Congress, which was overwhelmingly approved in the
International Relations Committee (now called the Foreign Affairs
Committee), only to be blocked from final passage by former House
Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL). With the change in House
leadership, the lead sponsors noted during the press conference
that this legislation now has the best chance for passage in recent
memory.
During his opening remarks at the press conference, Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-chair Frank Pallone underscored the importance
of introducing and passing Armenian Genocide legislation: "We, as
the House of Representatives, have an obligation to send a message
to the world that we affirm the [Armenian] Genocide and to send a
message to the Turkish government, which is ultimately behind all
of the genocide denial on the part of the [U.S.] Administration."
Citing the presence of Armenian Genocide survivors Yeretzgeen
Sirarpi Khoyan and Mrs. Rose Baboyan, Rep Adam Schiff explained
that "there aren’t many survivors left and while there are still
survivors among us we have, I think, the highest ethical obligation
to recognize the losses of their families, the losses of their
entire community, and in many respects beyond that, the loss of
almost an entire people."
Touching on the U.S. responsibility to end the ongoing genocide in
Darfur, Rep. Schiff argued, "How can we demonstrate the kind of
moral leadership we need to condemn the genocide in Darfur if we do
not have the courage to recognize the murder of a million and half
people in the first genocide of the last century?"
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI)
stressed that, "It is up to the House to bring this important
resolution to vote." He went on to explain that, "38 U.S. states
have recognized the Armenian Genocide" and that the time had come
for the U.S. Congress to enact the Armenian Genocide Resolution.
Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor in the 109th Congress,
Rep. George Radanovich, argued: "I think it is not even in Turkey’s
interest to successfully keep this [Genocide resolution passage]
from happening because it is in their best interest as a growing
country to recognize what happened in their country many, many
years ago."
"We appreciate the leadership of the Armenian Genocide Resolution’s
authors – Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, Frank Pallone, Joe
Knollenberg, Brad Sherman, and Thaddeus McCotter – and are, of
course, very encouraged by the broad, bipartisan support for their
introduction of this anti-genocide legislation," said Aram
Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "The immoral firing of
Ambassador Evans for recognizing the Armenian Genocide, the intense
controversy over the Richard Hoagland nomination due to his denial
of this crime, and – of course – the brutal assassination of Hrant
Dink, all serve as a stark wake up call for Congress to pass the
Armenian Genocide Resolution."
"Armenian Americans across the country look forward, in the coming
weeks, to working with all our Congressional friends in support of
the early adoption of this legislation in the U.S. House of
Representatives," added Hamparian.
The introduction of the resolution comes in the wake of the January
19th murder of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink in Istanbul, Turkey,
for his lifelong commitment to Armenian Genocide recognition. The
Turkish government had long persecuted Dink for his principled
stand on the Genocide, prosecuting him under the repressive Article
301 penal statute for "insulting Turkishness." Dink, who was
convicted but given a suspended sentence, had appealed the
decision.
The resolution also follows the firing of U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia John Marshall Evans last year, for properly characterizing
the Armenian Genocide as ‘genocide.’ The Administration
subsequently nominated Richard Hoagland for the position of
Armenian Ambassador – a move blocked by Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ)
following widespread bipartisan concerns by Senate Foreign
Relations Committee members about the Evans firing and statements
by Hoagland denying the Armenian Genocide.
As Members of Congress prepared to introduce the Armenian Genocide
resolution, thousands of Armenian American activists contacted
their legislators through phone, mail and the ANCA WebFax system
urging them to become early cosponsors of the legislation. ANCA
regional offices and local chapters held community briefings, press
conferences and events in support of the measure, leading to a
groundswell of early support.
The Armenian Genocide legislation is expected to the referred to
the House Foreign Affairs Committee. A Senate version of the
resolution is set to be introduced in the coming weeks.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
