CO-CHAIRS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS ON ARMENIAN ISSUES FRANK PALLONE AND JOSEPH KNOLLENBERG URGED U.S. PRESIDENT TO REAFFIRM THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 18 2007
The Armenian Assembly of America commends the Co-Chairs of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ) and Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), for sending a letter today,
urging President George W. Bush to reaffirm the United States’ record
on the Armenian Genocide in his upcoming April 24th commemorative
statement.
Last year in his annual commemorative speech, the President noted it
was a "tragedy for all humanity and one that we and the world must
never forget," but he has repeatedly failed to use the word genocide,
when referencing the tragic killings of 1.5 million Armenians from
1915-1923 by the Ottoman Turks.
In their letter the Co-Chairs encouraged the President to recognize
the atrocities committed against the Armenian people as genocide,
stating in part: "The United States must never allow crimes against
humanity to pass without remembrance and condemnation." In addition
the letter emphasizes the importance of the U.S. commitment to prevent
future occurrences of genocide, reiterating that "it is imperative
that we pay tribute to the memory of others, who have suffered,
and to never forget the past."
This year Armenians across the world will commemorate the 92nd
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. On Capitol Hill Pallone
and Knollenberg, in conjunction with the Armenian Embassy and
Armenian-American organizations will be spearheading an April 24th
event.