MA STATE DELEGATION CALLS UPON U.S. CONGRESS TO RECOGNIZE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

armradio.am
24.04.2009 11:40

Over 82 Members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives,
including the Speaker of the House Robert A. DeLeo filed a House
Resolution urging the U.S. Congress to renew their efforts in
recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915. State Representative Peter
J. Koutoujian, a descendent of the Armenian Genocide, led his fellow
colleagues in a final push, just one day before April 24th, the day
Armenians around the world recognize and commemorate this tragic event,
reported the Armenian National Committee of Eastern Massachusetts.

"The immense support from my colleagues was overwhelming," said State
Representative Peter Koutoujian (D-Waltham). "Each year, when April
24th comes around, I think of my grandparents, Abraham and Zarouhi, and
their flight from their home in Marash, Turkey. It is in remembrance
of them and the millions of Armenians who suffered that I look to
Congress to recognize this genocide. My grandparents’ experience is
both humbling in that it provided me, their grandson, the opportunity
to be in a position to call for recognition of this forgotten genocide,
and sad at the same time, in that we in the U.S. have yet to officially
acknowledge it. This anniversary is also a reminder that despite the
fact that genocide has reoccurred a number of times since the plight
of the Armenians, and still20occurs today – these crimes against
humanity will continue until we truly recognize the act of genocide."

The Resolution urges the United States Congress to approve House
Resolution 252 and recognize the Armenian Genocide. April 24th,
2009, day 94 of President Obama’s Administration will mark the
94th Anniversary of the Armenian genocide. During President Obama’s
candidacy, he pledged to recognize the Armenian Genocide. With the
expectation from the Armenian American community that Obama will
fulfill his presidential campaign promise of recognizing the Armenian
Genocide, volunteer activists have been urging their members to sign
on to the resolution. Currently 9 of the 10 Congressional members in
the Massachusetts Delegation are cosponsors.

"State Representative Peter Koutoujian’s leadership and devotion on
recognizing the Armenian Genocide is a true testament of standing up
for American values," commented ANC E. MA Chair Shari Melkonian. "We
commend the Massachussetts delegation for taking action and standing
up against genocide."