REPRESENTATIVES OF ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF SOUTHERN ILLINOIS DISCUSSED ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION WITH CONGRESSMAN SHIMKUS

DeFacto Agency
July 17 2008
Armenia

The Armenian National Committee of Southern Illinois (ANC-S IL) met
with Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL-19) late last month to discuss
his reversal of his support of H. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, as well as acquaint him with community activists in the
area. ANC-S IL Chairman Steve Hagopian along with activists Andrew
Hagopian, Stephen Hagopian, and Melanie Haroian were all in attendance
during the meeting to discuss their disappointment of the Congressman’s
withdrawal of the resolution.

On October 4, 2007, only days prior to H. Res. 106 being voted
on in the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Shimkus withdrew his
sponsorship from the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Following his
withdrawal Shimkus was appointed to serve as a United States delegate
to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, in which he serves as the ranking
Republican of the delegation and serves on the NATO-PA Defense Security
Committee. Later Shimkus’ staff told activists that the Congressman
had been asked to withdraw from the legislation prior to joining
the assembly.

During the meeting the Congressman did convey to activists that he
was aware of the Armenian genocide and admitted that it had happened
but due to the nature of the committee he served on, he could not
cosponsor the legislation. Activists also discussed issues pertaining
to Armenia’s blockade and US foreign aid. Hagopian explained to the
Congressmen the community’s disappointment in the fact that such a
long time co-sponsor so abruptly switched positions.

Following the meeting, ANC-S IL Chairman Steve Hagopian commented:
"We appreciate Congressman Shimkus’ office reaching out to us for
a meeting, however, it is upsetting that those who represent us in
Congress are being pressured to come off resolutions like H. Res. 106
because of outside pressures including Turkey. We must work to
end Turkey’s gag rule so Congress is able to speak openly on this
historic issue."

To note, in May of 2008, the ANCA launched its nationwide "End the
Gag Rule" campaign, highlighting the unacceptability of Turkey’s use
of threats and intimidation to veto U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide. The campaign includes coordinated grassroots activism,
focused Congressional outreach, and an unprecedented series of
compelling print and on-line advertisements in Capitol Hill websites
and publications. The ads, which serve as the centerpiece of the
campaign, feature a powerful image of the Statue of Liberty with
a Turkish flag gag over her mouth, symbolizing Turkey’s efforts to
silence America’s proud and principled advocacy of human rights. Early
this month, Inside Higher Ed issued an article entitled "Is Turkey
Muzzling U.S. Scholars?" which documents Turkey’s ongoing efforts to
silence any discussion of the Armenian Genocide both within Turkey
and here in the United States.

It should be added that Shimkus is serving his 12th year in Congress
and represents the 19th District of Illinois. He serves on the
House Energy and Commerce Committee, has gained seniority and is
now the ranking Republican on the Subcommittee on Oversight and
Investigations. He also sits on the Subcommittees on Telecommunications
and the Internet, Energy and Air Quality, and Environment and Hazardous
Materials. He also is a member of the Armenian Caucus and was endorsed
by the ANCA in the 2006 general election.