PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly of America
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Washington, DC 20001
Contact: John De Trana
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ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED BY HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS
COMMITTEE ON 95TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR
Assembly Applauds Chairman Howard Berman’s Official February 5th Announcement
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America applauded the
official announcement today of House Foreign Affairs Committee
Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA) to mark-up the Armenian Genocide
resolution, H.Res. 252, in early March.
In the Assembly’s letter to Chairman Berman regarding consideration of
H.Res. 252, the Assembly thanked him on behalf of the entire community
for his strong support during his tenure in Congress, and recalled his
eloquent remarks that "Genocide is a very powerful word, and should
be reserved for only the most horrific examples of mass killing
motivated by a desire to destroy an entire people. Without a doubt,
this term is appropriate to describe the unimaginable atrocities
suffered by the Armenian people from 1915-1918."
Given the continued campaign to deny this crime against humanity, the
Assembly’s letter urged consideration by the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs, and noted that the legislation boasted more than 130
cosponsors, including more than a dozen that serve on the Committee
itself.
As part of its ongoing effort to secure U.S. reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide, the Assembly secured this week the support of a
major American coalition, the Central and East European Coalition
(CEEC), which comprises 18 national organizations representing more
than 22 million Americans who trace their heritage to Central and
Eastern Europe. Founded in 1994, the CEEC has offered a critical voice
in helping to shape U.S. foreign policy.
In addition, at a Capital Hill meeting earlier this week with key
congressional supporters of the legislation, which was jointly
attended by the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National
Committee of America, the prospects and timing for Committee
consideration of H.Res. 252 were discussed.
"On behalf of the entire Armenian-American community, we welcome
Chairman Berman’s announcement. We appreciate the Chairman’s
continued commitment to this important human rights legislation,"
stated Executive Director, Bryan Ardouny. "We also applaud the
dedication and tenacity of the resolution’s sponsors, Congressmen
Schiff, Radanovich, Pallone and Kirk, along with the continued efforts
of Congresswomen Eshoo and Speier and Congressman Sherman," continued
Ardouny.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a
501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.