PRESS RELEASE
Date: April 18, 2009
Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region
122 W. 27th St. Floor 12, New York, NY 10001
Contact: Karine Birazian
Tel: 917-428-1918
CONGRESSMAN GARRETT DISCUSSES ARMENIAN AND DARFUR GENOCIDE ISSUES WITH
LOCAL CONSTITUENTS
–ANCA ER Director and Students from Ramsey High School Stress
Urgency
Glen Rock, NJ- Congressman Scott Garrett met with activists from
his district on April 16, 2009 in his local office to discuss
various issues including the current situation in Darfur and the
Armenian Genocide resolution.
During the meeting ANCA-ER Director and Genocide Intervention
Network (GI-Net) Carl Wilkens Fellow Karine Birazian, Lindsay
Mulford and Varun Bhasin discussed the urgency of budgeting
appropriate funds in the request of $50 million to support
peacekeepers and the new diplomatic team under the Special Envoy
for Sudan.
Birazian also thanked the Congressman for his support of H. Res.
252, the Armenian Genocide Resolution and urged him to encourage
his colleagues to support the measure.
"We commend Congressman Garrett for taking a vital role to stop the
genocide in Darfur as well as end Turkey’s ongoing denial of the
Armenian Genocide," commented Birazian. "Through our local efforts,
we can truly make a difference on a federal level for action to be
taken."
Bhasin and Mulford who are part of the Students Taking Action Now
Darfur (STAND) Chapter have worked to spearhead efforts at Ramsey
High School. "We feel that it is our moral obligation to get
involved, and we want to see people taking action," commented
Bhasin during the meeting. Under the guidance of STAND coordinator
and Social Studies Supervisor Stacie Poelstra, the committee has
been instrumental with engaging students in making their voices
heard. On April 30th, shortly after Obama’s 100 days in office
Ramsey students will organize opportunities for further engagements
such as signing letters to influential members that can take action.
"I am honored that the Congressman took the time to meet with us
and gain awareness of what he can do in Washington to help people
in Darfur," commented Mulford. As a person in a position to enact
change, we hope that Congressman Garrett will be compelled to
continue to take action on behalf of the citizens of Darfur. We
truly hope that Congressman Garrett will continue to stay on top of
the situation by reiterating the urgency of action."
Representative Garrett has been active with human rights issue
during his tenure in Congress. On multiple occasions he has spoken
on the House Floor about the importance of genocide recognition,
and has supported several measures for further assistance in Darfur.
Last April 24th, in his statements, he recognized Alice Shnorhokian,
an Armenian Genocide survivor in his district who had visited with
the Congressman in his DC office.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
#####
Photo Caption: Left to Right: ANCA ER Director Karine Birazian,
Congressman Scott Garrett, STAND students Lindsay Mulford and Varun
Bhasin.
—
Karine Birazian
Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region Executive Director
2009 Genocide Intervention Network Carl Wilkens Fellow
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Armenian National Committee of America –
Eastern Region
122 W. 27th St. 12th Floor
New York, NY 10001
Telephone: (917) 428-1918
Facsimile: (201) 785-9132
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