Armenian National Committee of America
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PRESS RELEASE
April 22, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION
ON DISPLAY AT CAPITOL HILL OBSERVANCE
"It is long past the time for the United States to formally recognize
the Armenian Genocide. " — Speaker Nancy Pelosi
WASHINGTON, DC – Dozens of Democratic and Republican Members of
Congress joined this evening with over five hundred Armenian
Americans from across the United States in Capitol Hill’s historic
Cannon Caucus Room in a solemn remembrance devoted to U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Majority Leader
Steny Hoyer (D-MD), in their remarks to the standing-room only
audience, both spoke forcefully of their personal commitment to
proper U.S. condemnation and commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide.
"It is long past the time for the United States to formally
recognize the Armenian Genocide," noted Speaker Pelosi in her
remarks. She went on to spotlight the importance of grassroots
efforts against Turkey’s multi-million dollar campaign of genocide
denial. "How far we can go with the resolution [H.Res.252] this
year depends on the outreach that each and everyone of us in this
room can do to win on the floor of the House. We can do any amount
of inside maneuvering in the Congress and Washington, but what is
important is the outside mobilization to bring to bear the voices
of people across America."
The Congressional Armenian Genocide observance was organized by the
Congressional Armenian Caucus, with Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL ) serving as Masters of
Ceremony. Opening prayers were offered by his Eminence Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern
United States as well as Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the
Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern United States.
Joining Speaker Pelosi and Majority Leader Hoyer in offering
remarks at the Armenian Genocide commemoration were Armenian
Genocide Resolution lead sponsors Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep.
George Radanovich (R-CA), House Members of Armenian descent Anna
Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA), as well as Reps. Thaddeus
McCotter (R-MI), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA),
Dina Titus (D-NV) and Tim Walz (D-MN).
Members in attendance at the Observance also included Sen. Jack
Reed (D-RI), and Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA), David Dreier (R-CA), Bob
Filner (D-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James
Langevin (D-RI), Richard Neal (D-MA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Ed Royce
(R-CA) and Diane Watson (D-CA).
The evening included powerful remarks about the consequences of
genocide by guest speaker Dr. Henry Theriault of Worcester State
University. Also offering remarks were Armenian Ambasador Tatul
Markarian and Permanent Representative of the Nagorno Karabagh
Republic to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan.
Video coverage of key remarks at the Armenian Genocide observance
will be posted to the ANCA Website –
The Armenian Genocide Resolution, introduced earlier this year by
Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) and Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-
IL), calls on the U.S. President to properly recognize the Armenian
Genocide. It currently has over 100 cosponsors and has been
referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Howard
Berman (D-CA).
President Obama, as a Senator and a candidate for the Presidency,
spoke forcefully, clearly, and repeatedly in support of U.S.
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, frequently criticizing then-
President Bush for failing to properly characterize and commemorate
this crime while in the White House. He is expected to offer his
first April 24th statement, a White House tradition, this Friday.
Among President Obama’s past statements have been the following:
— "The Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal
opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact
supported by an overwhelming body of historical evidence. The facts
are undeniable."
— "America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the
Armenian Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides. I
intend to be that President."
— "As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian
Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 & S.Res.106), and as President I
will recognize the Armenian Genocide"