Schiff, Radanovich Introduce Genocide Resolution
Published: Tuesday March 17, 2009
Source:Asbarez.com
WASHINGTON–Legislation calling on the U.S. President to properly
recognize the Armenian Genocide was introduced today in the U.S. House
of Representatives on Tuesday, two weeks before President’s Obama’s
April 5th trip to Turkey and roughly a month before the White House’s
annual April 24th commemoration of this crime against humanity,
reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The measure, H.Res. 252, is spearheaded by lead sponsors, Adam Schiff
(D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) and Congressional Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL), and cosponsored
by over 70 House colleagues. The resolution is identical to the one
introduced in both the House and Senate in the 110th Congress, which
was adopted by the House Foreign Affairs Committee, over intense
pressure from the Turkish Government and Bush Administration, and
publicly endorsed by then-candidate for President Barack Obama, his
Vice President Joe Biden, and current Secretary of State Hillary
Clinton.
`Armenians in the U.S. and around the world thank Adam Schiff, George
Radanovich, Frank Pallone and Mark Kirk for leading Congressional
efforts toward U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide,’ said Aram
Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. `The election of Barack
Obama, who has spoken repeatedly, forcefully, and with great clarity
about the need for American recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
marked a truly welcome break from the flawed policies of the past on
this score. We look, in the coming days and weeks, for the President
to honor his pledge, to fully support this legislation, and to raise
the discourse in Washington, DC on the Armenian Genocide from level of
Turkey’s threats and denials up to the level of the core moral and
humanitarian values of the America people.’
In the days leading up to the introduction of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, Representatives Schiff, Radanovich, Pallone and Kirk sent
a letter to President Obama urging him to end the complicity of past
Administrations in Turkey’s genocide denial by properly characterizing
the Armenian Genocide. That sentiment was reiterated by the
International Association of Genocide Scholars, in a March 7th letter
sent to President Obama.
The resolution comes six-weeks prior to April 24th, the worldwide
commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. U.S. Presidents have marked
the annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians from 1915-1923 by the
Ottoman Turkish government every year since 1994, though have
refrained from the proper characterization of this crime under threats
and pressure from the Turkish government.
`There is going to be heavy focus on encouraging President Obama to
make a strong statement of recognition on April 24, because it will be
important in setting the tone of the discussions on the Armenian
Genocide Resolution in Congress,’ Rep. Schiff told Armenian Weekly
Editor Khatchig Mouradian earlier today. `The Turkish lobby will be
spending millions ? like they did in past years. They will also argue
that the recognition of the genocide will cut off reconciliation
between Armenia and Turkey, and that this is not the right time. The
truth is, after 94 years, if this is not the right time, I don’t know
when that right time can be.’
Rep. Radanovich concurred, noting, `President Obama made a clear
promise to the Armenian community during his campaign and to do
anything short of properly recognizing the Armenian genocide as such
would be a direct slap in the face to Armenians around the world.’ In
a statement issued earlier today, he went on to note that `The
Armenian constituents in my district have been staunch advocates of
the truth and to them I promise not to give up this fight.’
As Members of Congress prepared to introduce the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, thousands of Armenian American activists contacted their
legislators through phone, mail and the ANCA WebFax system urging them
to become early cosponsors of the legislation.
The Armenian Genocide legislation is expected to be referred to the
House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009