Champion of Armenian Genocide Legislation, Rep. George Radanovich,
Announces Retirement
Asbarez
Dec 29th, 2009
WASHINGTON-Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), a driving force behind
Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and vocal advocate
of the concerns of the Central Valley’s active Armenian American
community, announced Tuesday that he will be retiring at the end of
the current Congressional term, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
`Since his election in 1994, Rep. Radanovich has spearheaded
successive Congressional efforts to secure affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, consistently standing up to those who would set aside truth
for political expediency,’ said ANCA Executive Director Aram
Hamparian. `We wish George and Ethie all the best in conquering the
challenges ahead.’
In a statement released earlier today, Rep. Radanovich noted `As many
already know, Ethie has been valiantly fighting ovarian cancer for
nearly three years. My family needs me, and I intend to be by their
side to win this battle. It is for this reason that I have decided to
not seek reelection to Congress in 2010.’ Read his complete statement
here
Rep. Radanovich has played a central role in Armenian Genocide
affirmation efforts, introducing and securing passage of an amendment
to the House fiscal year 1997 Foreign Aid bill, which cut $3 million
in U.S. assistance to Turkey – the equivalent of Turkey’s annual
lobbying budget against Armenian Genocide legislation at the time.
The House passage spurred a midnight press conference by then Turkish
Ambassador Nuzhet Kandemir, rejecting the U.S. economic assistance
package because of its connection to Armenian Genocide affirmation.
Rep. Radanovich would follow up in 1997 by suggesting that funds
rejected by Turkey be reprogrammed to Armenia, to offset the results
of the devastating dual blockades by Turkey and Azerbaijan.
Turkey eventually accepted the funds. Rep. Radanovich was also the
lead sponsor of the 2000 Armenian Genocide resolution, dramatically
taken off the Congressional agenda just moments before House
consideration by Speaker Dennis Hastert, now a lobbyist for the
Turkish Government, in response to a request from the Clinton
Administration. Since 2000, Rep. Radanovich has joined with Rep. Adam
Schiff (D-CA) and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) in spearheading successive
Genocide resolutions, including H.Res.252, which currently has over
135 cosponsors. He has also been a consistent advocate for increased
U.S. assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, self-determination
for Nagorno Karabagh and Congressional efforts to end the dual Turkish
and Azeri blockades of Armenia.
Rep. Radanovich has endorsed California State Senator Jeff Denham in
the June Republican primary, though Fresno Mayor James Patterson is
widely expected to run as well. The 19th Congressional District in
California is Republican leaning with registered voters split 44%
Republican, 37% Democrat, and 14% decline to state.
From: Baghdasarian