Targeted News Service
March 4, 2010 Thursday 9:03 PM EST

Watson Votes for H.Res. 252: Affirmation of the U.S. Record on
Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON

Rep. Diane E. Watson, D-Calif. (33rd CD), issued the following news release:

Rep. Watson today voted in support of a bipartisan resolution which
affirms the U.S. Record on the Armenian Genocide. The resolution calls
upon President Obama to ensure that U.S. foreign policy accurately
reflects our nation’s historical record relating to the mass
atrocities and killings of more than one and a half million Armenians
from 1915 to 1923, as well as the displacement of over five hundred
thousand Armenian men, women and children from their homeland.

"As a member of Congress whose district includes a growing Armenian
constitueny as well as Turkish residents, I have listened carefully
and caringly to passionate voices on both sides and believe that even
though currently there is not yet a common understanding recognized by
the governments of Armenia and Turkey, the United States must make a
good-faith effort to reflect in our foreign policy a perspective that
allows all to move forward."

"While the United States continues its active engagement to encourage
diplomatic talks between President Serzh Sargsyan of Armenia and
President Abdullah Gul of Turkey, to normalize relations and move the
peace process forward, it is important that we not lose sight of the
humanitarian role that America played, acting in a time of great need
on behalf of a nation’s people in distress."