LOS ANGELES MAYOR ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA CALLS ON US CONGRESS TO PASS ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

ArmRadio.am
19.02.2007 15:35

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, joined by over three dozen
students from Alex Pilibos High School in Hollywood, hosted a press
conference on February 14th where he energetically called on the US
House of Representatives to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution. The
Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res. 106) is currently pending before
the House Foreign Affairs Committee, which is Chaired by California
Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA). The Mayor’s press conference with the
ANCA-WR was covered by The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times,
National Public Radio, the Associated Press and local network
television stations.

Mayor Villaraigosa opened his press conference by announcing that the
City of Los Angeles will withdraw more than $27 million in retirement
fund investments from companies that do business with Sudan to protest
the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region. "By acting affirmatively to
bring about change in Darfur, we demonstrate our commitment to making
a difference and working to stop genocide," remarked Villaraigosa. The
Mayor added, "As we can see today, the genocide in Darfur rages on – it
is our duty to also properly recognize genocides that have occurred in
the past so that we may work to prevent them from happening again. We
know that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat
it – and we look forward to continuing to work with the Armenian
National Committee in this regard."

"We are proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Mayor Villaraigosa
in ending the cycle of genocide in our world," commented ANCA-WR
Executive Director Antranig Kzirian. "Today, the Mayor spoke clearly
about the positive role American cities can play in ending the genocide
in Darfur by beginning a divestment campaign. We were also pleased
that the Mayor forcefully called on the U.S. Congress to adopt the
Armenian Genocide resolution without delay," Kzirian added.

In correspondence that Mayor Villaraigosa recently sent to Speaker of
the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), he personally urged her to schedule a
vote on the Armenian Genocide resolution (H. Res. 106). The Mayor’s
letter states, in part, "As the Mayor of Los Angeles… it is an
honor and pleasure to add my name to the growing list of supporters
of H. Res. 106, which would officially place the U.S. House of
Representatives on record as recognizing the Armenian Genocide
of 1915."

Following the Mayor’s press conference, Los Angeles City Council
President Eric Garcetti introduced a resolution on behalf of the
Los Angeles City Council that urges the United States Government
to recognize the Armenian Genocide and calls upon Turkey to end its
decades long policy of denial. "This resolution, by the City Council
of the City of Los Angeles, shows our support in standing side by
side with Mayor Villaraigosa and all of humanity in paying homage to
those that perished in the Armenian Genocide", stated Garcetti.