PRESS RELEASE
December 3, 2009

Armenian Assembly – Colorado
Contact: Press Department
Email: info@aaainc.org
Phone: (202) 393-3434

COLORADO ARMENIAN COMMUNITY CONTINUES ADVOCACY TO SECURE
U.S. REAFFIRMATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

Washington, DC – Last month, the Eastern Colorado News (ECN) touted the
advocacy efforts of the Colorado Armenian American community in its
continued efforts to raise awareness of the Armenian Genocide reported
the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).

As part of the Assembly’s nationwide effort to secure passage of H. Res.
252, the Armenian-American community has proactively reached out to its
elected representatives in Congress to urge support for this important
human rights legislation.

In Colorado, the ECN also highlighted the "quiet" lobbying against the
Armenian Genocide resolution by five military contractors as reported by
the Associated Press (AP). The AP article revealed that BAE Systems,
Inc., Goodrich Corp., Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon Co., United
Technologies Corp., and energy producer Chevron Corp. "spent $14 million
to lobby Congress in the first quarter of this year," including against
the genocide resolution.

The ECN article picks up where the AP story left off, and pointed out
the contributions these companies make to Members of Congress, stating
that Raytheon was one of the "highest contributors" to a Congressman in
Colorado who supported the resolution last Congress, and has yet to
cosponsor H.Res. 252 this Congress.

Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), who has spearheaded H.Res. 252, along
with his colleagues Congressmen George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) told the AP that businesses that lobby
against the resolution are not being "good corporate citizens."

"In the face of continued denial of the Armenian Genocide, we commend
the efforts of the community from around the country and especially
appreciate the dedicated work of our State Chairs and network of
activists," stated Grassroots Director Taniel Koushakjian.
"Armenia-Turkey relations may have entered a new phase, but that does
not mean U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide should be held
hostage to this process. We strongly urge all Members of Congress to
support this bipartisan bill and would welcome the support of the entire
Colorado delegation," added Koushakjian.

H.Res. 252 is currently pending before the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs and mirrors the Senate version of the bill, of which Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) cosponsored last month.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.