PELOSI BACKS ADOPTION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE BILL

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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

WASHINGTON–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’s