Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
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PRESS RELEASE
March 12, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANTI-GENOCIDE ACTIVISTS END FIRST DAY OF CAPITOL HILL ADVOCACY
— Congressional Hopeful Jackie Speier Offers
Inspiring Remarks at Kick-off Breakfast
WASHINGTON, DC – Activists from more than a dozen states spread out
across Capitol Hill today for the first of three days of non-stop
anti-genocide advocacy, capped with an evening reception featuring
powerful remarks by outspoken Congressional human rights leaders,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The three day program, hosted for the second year in a row by the
ANCA and the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net), puts community
human rights advocates directly in touch with dozens of legislators
and every single Senate and House office in support of practical
legislative initiatives to stop the genocide in Darfur and end
Turkey’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide.
The day began with an early morning briefing in the Aramian
Conference Room at the ANCA national headquarters and powerful
welcoming remarks by Jackie Kanchelian-Speier, a veteran of the
California legislature and currently a leading candidate running in
the Special Election to fill California’s 12th Congressional
District. If elected, former State Senator Speier will become the
second Armenian American in Congress, alongside Congresswoman Anna
Eshoo (D-CA). In her remarks, she touched on her long experience
in advocating Armenian American issues and urged the gathered
activists to remain vigilant and act effectively in seeking to end
the cycle of genocide.
Among the legislators in attendance at the Capitol Hill reception
on Wednesday evening were Representatives Jim Costa(D-CA), Rush
Holt (D-NJ), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), Betty McCollum (D-MN), James
McGovern (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ),
Laura Richardson (D-CA), and John Tierney (D-MA).
The expanded program, titled the "End the Cycle of Genocide:
Grassroots Capitol Campaign," is taking place from March 12th
through 14th. Having completed a full day of meetings, the
activists will continue their visits on Thursday and Friday,
including a tour of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial and Museum.
The activists called for a broad range of steps to end the Darfur
Genocide, among them increased funding for peacekeepers, divestment
>From Sudan, and support for a comprehensive regional peace, as
well, of course, for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106).
To view a copy of the GI-Net one-page briefing paper, visit:
asks_0308.pdf
To view a copy of the ANCA one-page briefing paper, visit:
pager.pdf
Activists taking part in the program came from as far away as
Arizona, California, Georgia, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Tennessee,
and included community advocates – young and old – from Maryland,
Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island,
Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Throughout the day, and at
the Wednesday night reception, they were able to share their
experiences, exchange ideas, communicate with Members of Congress,
and add new connections to the growing national anti-genocide
coalition.
Press Secretary Stephen Miller represented Congresswoman Michele
Bachman (R-MN), who delivered a strong floor statement today
supporting Armenian Genocide recognition efforts and praising the
work of the ANCA in helping to end the cycle of genocide.
Senior foreign policy expert Greg Aftandilian, representing the
office of Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who serves as
chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, was
among several Armenian American Congressional staffers in
attendance. Other prominent Armenian American aides included Dean
Shahinian, Esq., Senior Counsel for the Senate Banking Committee,
Margaret Schumaker who handles Armenian issues in the office of
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman Frank Pallone, and Joe Sheehy,
Legislative Director in the office of Representative Grace
Napolitano. All told, over 50 Congressional offices were
represented throughout the course of the evening.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
