PRESS RELEASE
Date: May 2, 2009
Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island
7 Armenia St., Providence, RI 02909
Contact: George Mangalo
Email: anc.ri@anca.org
ACTIVISTS FROM THE "OCEAN STATE" VISIT CAPITOL HILL TO URGE
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGISLATION
–Senator Jack Reed Offers Remarks on Senate Floor
Washington, DC—Five activists from Rhode Island traveled last week
to Washington, DC for the "End the Cycle of Genocide" advocacy days
organized by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and
the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net), reported the ANC of
Rhode Island (ANC-RI).
"It is our duty as victims of genocide to meet and urge lawmakers
to take action," commented ANC-RI Chair George Mangalo. "Decisive
action needs to be taken to ensure the proper recognition of the
Armenian Genocide as well as ending the genocide in Darfur."
Over the course of several days, ANC-RI activists met with the
entire congressional delegation from the Ocean State, including
Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI-1) and James Langevin (D-RI-
2), both of whom are cosponsors of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, H. Res. 252. The group also met with Senators Sheldon
Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jack Reed (D-RI). Throughout the meetings,
the activists stressed the importance of recognition of the
Armenian Genocide and asked for support to help end the genocide in
Darfur. The activists also requested that the current aid levels
to Armenia and Karabagh be increased and end to military aid to
Azerbaijan. On all these issues, the Rhode Island activists
received positive feedback from their Members of Congress.
On April 24th, Sen. Jack Reed, an active supporter of human rights
issues, made a statement on the Senate floor in recognition of the
Armenian Genocide:
"Mr. President, today I join with my colleagues, my fellow Rhode
Islanders, and the Armenian-American community to observe the 94th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
Each year, on April 24, it is fitting that we pause to remember and
reflect on one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century, the
systematic killing of Armenians. From 1915 through the end of
1923, nearly 1 1/2 million Armenians were killed and over half a
million survivors were exiled.
The Armenian Genocide demonstrated the evils humans are capable of,
and unfortunately, it was only the first of several 20th century
tragedies.
As we reflect and recall this tragic time, let us call for our own
country to recognize the Armenian genocide, just as my own State of
Rhode Island has done, along with many other States and
governments.
‘Menk panav chenk mornar-‘–We will never forget."
On May 3, twenty activists will be attending Senator Reed’s Spring
Breakfast in Rhode Island as a way of thanking the senator for all
his support of issues of concern to the Armenian American
community.
The Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) is part of
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 ANC-RI actively
advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.
####
Photo Caption: Left to Right: ANC activists Anait Grigoryan, Greg Arzoomanian,
Melkon Megerdichian, Senator Jack Reed, Steve Mesrobian, Tigran
Mikaelian, Stephanie Mesrobian, and Bethany Creel of GI-Net