BIPARTISAN CONGRESSIONAL SUPPORT FOR GENOCIDE RECOGNITION ON AT CAPITOL HILL OBSERVANCE

Asbarez
/2009_1
Thursday, April 23, 2009

WASHINGTON–Dozens of Democratic and Republican Members of Congress
joined Wednesday 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"