PanARMENIAN.Net
Armenian Genocide commemorated in Capitol Hill’s historic Cannon Caucus Room
26.04.2009 00:35 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ 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).
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.