Assemblymember Paul Krekorian
Office of Assemblymember Paul Krekorian
Contact: Karo Torossian
620 N. Brand Blvd. # 403
Glendale, CA 91203
Phone: (818) 240-6330
Fax: (818) 240-4632

ASSEMBLYMEMBER PAUL KREKORIAN APPLAUDS HISTORIC VICTORY FOR GENOCIDE
RECOGNITION IN CONGRESS

GLENDALE – Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank) today welcomed the
House Foreign Affairs Committee’s historic vote on House Resolution 106 – a
resolution that recognizes the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and calls upon
President George W. Bush to properly characterize the Turkish atrocities
against Armenians as "genocide." The resolution passed the committee
earlier today by a vote of 27-21.

"Today, the power of truth and justice was greater than the power of the
President of the United States," stated Assemblymember Krekorian in reaction
to the victory. "I congratulate every person who made a phone call or wrote
a letter to Congress, because their grassroots advocacy overcame powerful
opposition and moved us a step closer to justice."

Only hours before the vote, in an unprecedented effort to defeat the
resolution, President Bush admonished members of Congress that the
resolution could adversely impact US-Turkish relations. "President Bush’s
continuing effort to prevent genocide recognition should be infuriating to
everyone who cares about historical truth and human rights," Krekorian said.
"His statements today are completely contrary to the promises he made to the
Armenian community while he was a candidate – and more important, they are
completely contrary to the most important principles that we cherish as a
nation," continued Krekorian.

"If Turkey has the audacity to threaten that this resolution will damage
relations in a way that could endanger even one of our courageous troops,
then Turkey can never again call itself an ally. The United States should
never allow petty threats from Turkey to deter us from being true to history
and calling for human rights and justice. In order to remain a beacon of
hope for the world, the United States must have the courage to condemn the
genocides of the past and prevent the genocides of the present, no matter
who may be offended."

"This victory in the Foreign Affairs Committee is a tribute to the wonderful
efforts of the resolution’s author, Congressman Adam Schiff, and the many
other dedicated members of Congress such as Brad Sherman and Frank Pallone
who have worked tirelessly on this issue," stated Krekorian. "Every American
who cares about preventing future atrocities must continue to fight to
ensure this resolution’s passage. The United States must send an
unequivocal message that genocide cannot be tolerated, no matter when or
where it occurs."

Assemblymember Krekorian is the highest ranking Armenian-American elected
official in Southern California and one of only three California legislators
of Armenian descent. Krekorian’s great-uncle was killed in the Genocide in
1915.