Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email. anca@anca.org
Internet

PRESS RELEASE

November 19, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER TO COSPONSOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

— Decision by Senator Reid Comes in the Wake of Senate Week
in the ANCA "Countdown to Erdogan" Campaign

WASHINGTON, DC – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has
informed the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) that he
will once again support legislation calling for U.S. reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide.

"We want to offer our appreciation to Majority Leader Reid for
joining with his colleagues in supporting this legislative effort
to put America on the right side of the Armenian Genocide issue,"
said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "We look
forward to working with Senator Reid and our other friends in the
leadership of the Senate and the Foreign Relations Committee as the
Armenian Genocide Resolution moves to a Committee vote and adoption
by the full Senate."

Spearheaded by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV),
the Armenian Genocide resolution (S.Res.316) also enjoys the early
support of Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Russ Feingold (D-WI),
Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse
(D-RI).

Senator Reid’s cosponsorship comes as Armenian Americans across the
country continue to participate in the ANCA "Countdown to Erdogan"
campaign – a four-week, grassroots campaign urging President Obama
to speak truthfully about the Armenian Genocide when he meets on
December 7th with Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan. The first week
of the campaign focused on Senate action, with thousands sending
ANCA WebMails and participating in a national call in day to Senate
offices in support of S.Res.316.

On each day until December 7th, the ANCA is organizing a new action
– ranging from online advocacy, call-in days, social networking,
coalition-building, community outreach, and fieldwork. Information
on the campaign is posted at

Last month, Majority Leader Reid formally shared the reservations
of the Silver State’s Armenian community regarding the dangers of
the recently signed Turkey-Armenia Protocols with Secretary of
State Hillary Clinton.

In a October 30, 2009 letter to ANCA-Nevada activist Razmig
Libarian, the Senate leader reported that he had recently written
to Secretary Clinton to pass along the concerns of his state’s
citizens of Armenian heritage, and to encourage her to meet
directly with the national leadership of the Armenian American
community regarding the state of Turkey-Armenia relations.