Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
November 2, 2007
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
Constituent Travels to Washington DC to Confront
Congresswoman’s Opposition to Armenian Genocide Bill
— Voices Community’s Disappointment over Legislator’s
Secretive Efforts to Defeat Human Rights Legislation
Washington, D.C. – Community activist and civic leader Azniv Goenjian
recently traveled to Washington, DC with the Armenian National Committee of
America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) to confront her Congresswoman, Jane
Harman (D-CA-36), for secretly opposing the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.
Res. 106, while publicly presenting herself as a supporter of this human
right legislation.
"Mrs. Goenjian stands out as a principled and devoted citizen who
demonstrated, once again, by traveling across the country to confront her
Congresswoman’s retreat on this core human rights issue, that she has the
courage of her convictions," stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew
Kzirian. "In sharing her profound disappointment with Congresswoman Harman,
she gave voice to the concerns of all Armenian Americans from the 36th
District and served as a role model for other activists from across
America," he added.
H. Res. 106 passed the House Committee on Foreign Affairs (HCFA) by a vote
of 27-21 on October 10, 2007 in the face of unprecedented opposition. The
resolution enjoys the support of over 200 cosponsors in the House of
Representatives, and has not yet been scheduled for a vote by House Speaker
Nancy Pelosi.
While a cosponsor of H. Res. 106, Congresswoman Harman sent a private letter
to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee on October 3, 2007 opposing
passage of the resolution, citing strategic concerns that came to light
after she visited Turkey. Only after a flood of local phone calls from
activists who expressed outrage after learning independently about the
Member’s actions did the Congresswoman post the letter on her website,
claiming that she had never intended for her opposition to be secretive.
Upon learning of her Representative’s actions, Goenjian traveled to
Washington, DC as part of the ANCA’s "Advocacy Days" during the week of
October 22, 2007.
Accompanied by ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian, Esq. and
ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian, Esq., Goenjian met with the
Congresswoman on Wednesday, October 24, 2007. During the meeting, Goenjian
expressed serious concern over the Congresswoman’s opposition to the
resolution, noting that it is always the right time to condemn genocide.
Goenjian, Nahapetian and Kzirian strongly urged the Congresswoman to
reconsider her position and noted that similar resolutions pertaining to the
Jewish Holocaust, the Ukrainian Famine-Genocide, the Cambodian Genocide, the
Rwandan Genocide, the Comfort Women under Japanese oppression and today’s
genocide in Darfur had all passed in the House, despite the fact that many
faced opposition from foreign governments.
Goenjian also presented the Congresswoman with her son’s California public
school textbook, which includes substantial material on the Armenian
Genocide.
"By going to Washington for two days of face-to-face meetings with our
elected officials I was able to make a real difference," stated Goenjian.
"Each of us can and must do something to raise awareness of the Armenian
Genocide and to press for the adoption of H.Res.106. Interacting with our
Members of Congress – both at home and in our nation’s capital – is our
Constitutional right and our moral obligation to demand that our government
live up to America’s highest ideals," she remarked.
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.