ADVOCACY WEEK 106 HELD IN WASHINGTON

Yerkir
10.12.2007 13:00

YEREVAN (YERKIR) – Human rights advocates from all over the western
United States traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in "Advocacy
Week 106" from Monday, December 3 through Friday, December 7, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR).

"We have seen scores of constituents expressing deep concerns over
the inaccurate, misrepresented and distorted nature of media coverage
on the resolution in October," stated ANCA-WR Executive Director
Andrew Kzirian.

"These human rights activists traveled to Washington, DC to help
set the record straight and remind Members what the resolution is
really all about – ending the cycle of genocide and not succumbing
to Turkey’s denial," he added.

Convening at the ANCA’s Washington headquarters, constituents from
Idaho, Arizona, Texas and California conducted over 150 meetings
on Capitol Hill with Members of the House and Senate. Although
not usually in session at this time of year, Congress will likely
convene well into December to address various pieces of appropriation
legislation. Constituents viewed this extra time in session as an
opportunity to help raise awareness of recent developments regarding
the resolution and the Turkish government’s denialist activities.

Introduced by Representative Adam Schiff, the Armenian Genocide
resolution (H. Res. 106) passed through the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs on October 10, 2007 by a vote of 27-21 despite unprecedented
opposition by President Bush and other facets of the administration,
including current and former high-ranking cabinet officials from the
Departments of State and Defense.