PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly of America
February 10, 2010
Contact: Press Department
Email: info@aaainc.org
Phone: 202-393-3434

SENATOR LIEBERMAN REITERATES IMPORTANCE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AFFIRMATION

Assembly Welcomes Community Activism and Urges Congress to Adopt the
Armenian Genocide Resolution

Washington, DC – In response to a letter from Harry Keleshian, a
longstanding Armenian Assembly trustee and activist, Senator Joseph
Lieberman (I-CT) stated that the issue of U.S. affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide "cuts to the heart not only of our foreign policy,
but of our morality as a nation."

Lieberman, in describing the "systematic and deliberate campaign of
mass murder perpetrated against the Armenian people," stated that
"even by the bloody standards of the 20th century, the annihilation of
1.5 million Armenians was one of the greatest crimes against humanity
committed in the last hundred years – an evil we have a solemn duty
never to forget."

"As we look to the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this
April 24, Senator Lieberman provides us with a poignant reminder of
the importance of remembering history, and the need to redouble our
efforts to end the scourge of genocide," stated Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny. "We commend Mr. Keleshian for his steadfast commitment
and support of the Assembly and our work on Capital Hill," added
Ardouny. "With activists like Harry, along with our nationwide State
Chair network, including Connecticut State Chair Sevan Angacian,we
have a great team to help us advance our goals."

In the January 25th letter to Connecticut resident Keleshian, Senator
Lieberman also recalled the extraordinary efforts of Henry Morgenthau,
the U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at the time of the Armenian
Genocide. Ambassador Morgenthau was the leading force behind
America’s unprecedented humanitarian intervention, and his actions
helped to save countless survivors.

S. Res. 316 was introduced last year by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ)
and John Ensign (R-NV), and continues to garner support with Senators
Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) as the most recent
cosponsors. The resolution, as Lieberman’s letter so aptly stated,
"describes the history of the genocide in detail and calls on the
President to recognize and commemorate it appropriately." With the
House of Representatives scheduled to consider the Armenian Genocide
in Committee on March 4, the Assembly also urges the U.S. Senate to
take action.

By remembering history and honoring the victims of the Armenian
Genocide, Senator Lieberman hoped to renew America’s commitment "to
the cause of stopping genocide and ethnic violence in our own time."

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.

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