CONGRESSIONAL HELLENIC CAUCUS CALLS FOR PASSAGE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
ArmRadio.am
26.05.2007 11:36
In a sign of the growing bipartisan support in Congress for the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106), the Caucus on Hellenic
Issues – spearheaded by New York Democrat Carolyn Maloney and Florida
Republican Gus Bilirakis – this week asserted that "it is time"
for the US government to recognize this crime against humanity,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The Co-Chairs of the 127-member Caucus, in a May 23rd letter
circulated to their House colleagues, stressed that, "it is time for
our government to finally acknowledge that the unimaginable horror
committed on Turkish soil in the aftermath of World War I was, and is,
an act of genocide. The United States must stand up for human rights
everywhere by renewing its commitment to prevent similar atrocities
and by acknowledging that the Armenian Genocide is a historical fact."
"We appreciate the leadership of Representatives Maloney and Bilirakis
and support of the membership of the Hellenic Caucus for the timely
adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian.
"We welcome, as well, the work of the American Hellenic Institute and
all our friends in the Greek American community for full recognition
of the genocidal crimes Turkey has committed against its Christian
subjects."
The Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues regularly cooperates on
issues of mutual concern with the Armenian Issues Caucus, Co-chaired
by Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI). The
American Hellenic Institute and the United Hellenic American Congress
are among the Greek American organizations supporting the adoption
of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. The ANCA, last week, joined with
Hellenes around the world in marking May 19th, the day of remembrance
for the genocide of the Pontian Greeks.
H.Res.106, and its companion bill in the Senate, S.Res.106, call on
the President to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide and to help
ensure that the U.S. government applies the lessons of this atrocity
in seeking to prevent future crimes against humanity. In the House,
the resolution is being led by Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA),
George Radanovich (R-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and Foreign Affairs
Committee members Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI). The
House measure has 196 cosponsors. The Senate bill, which is led by
Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and John Ensign (R-NV), currently has
31 cosponsors, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).