Armenian National Committee – New Mexico
108 East Aztec Avenue
Gallup, New Mexico 87301
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
: May 17, 2007
Contact: Haroutiun Kassakhian
E-mail: [email protected]
ANC of New Mexico Welcomes Congressman Udall’s Cosponsorship of
Armenian Genocide Resolution
Santa Fe, NM – United States Representative Tom Udall (D-NM-03) became the
latest member to cosponsor H. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide resolution,
following a meeting with ANC of New Mexico advocates last month. The
addition of Rep. Udall brings the total number of cosponsors for the
Armenian Genocide Resolution to 193 House Members.
Last month, ANC of New Mexico Chairman Harry Kassakhian met with Robert
Vasquez from Congressman Udall’s Santa Fe district office staff.
Kassakhian, a Udall constituent, was joined by fellow constituent, Levon
Tashjian. In discussing the resolution Kassakhian emphasized that the
matter was an American issue as many victims found refuge in the United
States following the genocide.
Representative Tom Udall represents northern New Mexico and is currently
serving his fifth term in the US House where he is a member of the
influential Appropriations Committee. He comes from a family distinguished
for its devotion to public service. His father, Stewart Udall, served four
terms in Congress before being appointed Secretary of the Interior by
Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. Tom’s uncle Morris Udall served in Congress
for thirty years and was a major presidential contender in 1976.
Representative Mark Udall (D-CO) – an early cosponsor of H. Res. 106 – and
Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) are Tom’s cousins and current Members of
Congress.
"We are pleased that Congressman Udall has joined the growing community of
leaders who realize that it is time for the United States to speak with
moral clarity about the Armenian Genocide," said Kassakhian. "For too long
our country has been held hostage by a Turkish government and its proxies
bent on covering up this dark chapter of its history. Congressman Udall’s
cosponsorship reaffirms that there is no profit margin that justifies
remaining silent in the face of genocide."
The Armenian National Committee of America 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.