Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email.anca@anca.org
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
April 15, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
SPEAKER PELOSI REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
— Backs Adoption of Armenian Genocide Resolution
"A grave injustice was committed and the fact that our
nation is not officially recognizing these crimes as genocide
is a disappointment." — Speaker Nancy Pelosi, April 14, 2009
WASHINGTON, DC – The Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives,
Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), has reaffirmed her longstanding support for
U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, stressing her backing
for the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.252, and voicing, once
again, her disappointment that the United States has yet to
officially describe this crime as a genocide, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).
In a letter sent this week to constituents throughout California’s
8th Congressional District, the Speaker offered her personal
assurance that she "will continue to support official recognition
of the Armenian genocide," a crime she described as a "grave
injustice" that "should be officially recognized as genocide." She
also stressed her support for H.Res.252, which has been referred to
the House Committee on Foreign Affairs chaired by Congressman
Howard Berman (D-CA).
Her correspondence, circulated only days before President Obama is
set to offer his April 24th statement, reflects the growing support
in Congress and around the nation for a clear and unequivocal
recognition by the President of the Armenian Genocide. As a
Senator and a candidate for the White House, Barack Obama
repeatedly pledged to properly condemn and commemorate the Armenian
Genocide, stating clearly that: "As President I will recognize the
Armenian Genocide."
In recent weeks, growing support for U.S. recognition has been
reflected by:
— The steady climb of cosponsors of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, H.Res.252, among both Democrats and
Republicans.
— The unanimous decision by the House of Representatives
of Hawaii, the President’s home state, to become the 42nd
to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide.
— The letter recently sent by the International
Association of Genocide Scholars urging President Obama to
honor his pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide.
The ANCA, as part of its Fierce Urgency of Now campaign, is urging
citizens to contact the White House and Congress in support of
Armenian Genocide recognition by the U.S. government this April –
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