SPEAKER PELOSI NAMES ARMENIAN CAUCUS MEMBER CONGRESSMAN MCGOVERN CO-CHAIR OF CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS

armradio.am
03.07.2008 10:52

The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) welcomes Speaker Nancy
Pelosi’s (D-CA) recent selection of Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)
to replace the late Congressman Tom Lantos, the Co-Founder of the
Congressional Human Rights Caucus, as the new Co-Chair.

Chairman Lantos was an ardent defender of human rights throughout
his distinguished career in Congress. During the 110th Congress,
Lantos strongly supported efforts to end the genocide in Darfur,
as well as voted for House Resolution 106, which combats ongoing
attempts to deny the historical truth of the Armenian Genocide.

In fact, last October, Lantos, in his role as Chairman of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee voted in support of this critical human
rights bill and stated, "This is one of those events which has to be
settled once and for all: 1.5 million utterly innocent Armenian men,
women and children were slaughtered. And the Turkish government, until
now, has intimidated the Congress of the United States from taking
this measure. I think it’s important, at a time when genocides are
going on in Darfur and elsewhere, not to be an accomplice in sweeping
an important genocide under the rug."

"I am honored by Speaker Pelosi’s decision and look forward to working
with my colleagues to address critical issues facing us today," said
Congressman McGovern. "From ending the current genocidal campaign in
Darfur and preventing future genocides by reaffirming the historical
truth of the Armenian Genocide, I want to ensure that this important
body carries forward the legacy of the great Tom Lantos," McGovern
continued.

McGovern, like Lantos, strongly supports a wide range of human rights
legislation, including H.Res.106. In addition, he is an active member
of the Armenian Caucus, serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Rules
Committee and is a member of the House Budget Committee.

"Congressman McGovern understands the important role Congress can
play in not only bringing attention to human rights abuses, but
also in shaping solutions to address them. The Armenian Assembly is
committed to working with the Caucus on issues of mutual concern,"
said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
From: Baghdasarian