2010 COLORADO U.S. SENATE CONTENDERS SPEAK OUT ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RECOGNITION

armradio.am
06.11.2009 11:11

The two leading contenders for Colorado’s Democratic U.S. Senate
nomination, Andrew Romanoff and Michael Bennet, have staked out
their views on U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported
the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Romanoff, a longstanding and vocal advocate for Armenian Genocide
recognition, announced his candidacy on September 16th, challenging
Bennet, who has held this Senate seat since he was appointed
earlier this year by Colorado’s Governor Bill Ritter to fill
the vacancy left when Ken Salazar departed the Senate to serve as
Secretary of the Interior. During his service in the Senate, Salazar
established a record, along with nearly all the other members in
the state’s Congressional delegation, of co-sponsoring the Armenian
Genocide Resolution, advocating Armenian priorities, and supporting
anti-genocide initiatives.

In an exclusive letter to the Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates [text
below], Romanoff, the former Speaker of the Colorado House, reviewed
his extensive record in support of Armenian American concerns and
pledged, if elected, to be an original co-sponsor of a Senate Armenian
Genocide Resolution.

Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates co-editor and ANCA activist Vi Bashian
Cooper praised Mr. Romanoff’s steadfast record of support stating;
"Speaker Romanoff has repeatedly demonstrated his longstanding loyalty
to our community and our abiding wish to have the Armenian Genocide
affirmed as United States policy. His actions as a Colorado state
legislator, including his service as Speaker of the House, confirm
his consistent dedication and honor to Colorado Armenian Americans. Mr.

Romanoff is one of those rare shining lights of character and intellect
on the Colorado political stage. He will represent our Rocky Mountain
state and our national Armenian-American community with distinction
should he be elected to the United States Senate."

Senator Bennet, in letters sent to his Armenian American constituents
during his first months in office, addressed the Armenian Genocide as a
"heartfelt opinion." More recently, including in a letter received by
RMHA on October 26th, he has been more straightforward, describing
the Ottoman Turkish Empire’s systematic slaughter of Armenians
as genocide. He further states that, "I certainly understand your
frustration with those who would attempt to qualify or recast these
deaths as mere casualties of war." Senator Bennet remains silent
as to whether he will co- sponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
S.Res.316, currently before the U.S. Senate.

"Armenian Americans from across Colorado welcome our friend Andrew
Romanoff’s reaffirmation of his longstanding record in support of
Armenian Genocide condemnation and commemoration, and are, as well,
very gratified that Senator Bennet has joined with so many of his
colleagues in our state’s Congressional delegation in properly
recognizing this crime against humanity," said Jirair Christianian,
a Colorado Armenian American businessman and ANCA grassroots activist.

"We look to Senator Bennet, in the coming days, to act upon his
principled stand by agreeing to serve as an official cosponsor of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution."