ANC OF MASSACHUSETTS WELCOMES COAKLEY STAND ON ARMENIAN ISSUES
Armenian Weekly
January 15, 2010
Armenian Americans Value Her Vigorous Defense of Armenian Genocide
Education as the Attorney General of Massachusetts
BOSTON, Mass.-Massachusetts Senate candidate Martha Coakley’s pledge
to advocate on behalf of the views and values of the Bay State’s
vibrant Armenian American community was welcomed today by Armenian
National Committee of Massachusetts chapters.
In a strong, signed statement issued to Armenian Americans for Coakley,
led by State Representative Peter Koutoujian and Carolann Najarian,
Coakley, who currently serves as the Commonwealth’s Attorney General,
pledged that, "As your U.S. Senator, I will follow the strong
leadership Senator Edward M. Kennedy showed on Armenian-American
issues. First and foremost is to support efforts to make the
recognition of the Armenian Genocide a reality. In addition, I will
support policies that keep U.S.-Armenia relations strong, including
delivering U.S. assistance to both Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh."
"Armenian Americans have long valued Attorney General Coakley’s
stand on Armenian issues, most notably her successful defense of
the Commonwealth in the case of Griswold v. Driscoll, which ensured
that the history and lessons of the Armenian Genocide can continue
to be taught in public schools throughout Massachusetts," said ANC
of Massachusetts Co-Chairman Ara Nazarian. "We welcome her pledge
to continue to work in the tradition of Senator Kennedy’s support
for our community’s advocacy priorities and are already working to
ensure that each and every Armenian American voter goes to the polls
next Tuesday fully informed about her stand on these vital issues."
The special election to fill the Senate seat left open after the loss
of Senator Edward Kennedy, a legendary champion of the Armenian Cause,
will be held on Tuesday, Jan. 19.
The full text of the letter is provided below.
***
January 14, 2010
Dear Armenian-Americans for Coakley,
I want to thank you for supporting my candidacy for U.S. Senate. You
have my pledge that those issues important to you as Armenian-Americans
and as citizens of Massachusetts will be well represented if I am
your next U.S. Senator.
It was an honor for me, as your Attorney General, to defend the
Commonwealth successfully in Griswold v. Driscoll, ensuring that the
Armenian Genocide continues to be a part of the history curriculum
in public schools throughout the Commonwealth. As your U.S. Senator,
I will follow the strong leadership Senator Edward M. Kennedy showed
on Armenian-American issues. First and foremost is to support efforts
to make the recognition of the Armenian Genocide a reality. In
addition, I will support policies that keep U.S.-Armenia relations
strong, including delivering U.S. assistance to both Armenia and
Nagorno-Karabakh.
I am pleased to have your support and your endorsement. We are close
to the finish line and your community’s support is crucial in the
closing days of this race. No matter what the pundits say, we need
each and every vote on Tuesday. You have stood with me in the past and
together we will succeed in bringing a new kind of leader to the U.S.
Senate.
Again, I thank you for your support this coming Tuesday January 19th.
Cordially,
[signed] Martha Coakley