ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date:
Contact: Danielle Saroyan
Ashbahian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Web: www.aaainc.org
SEN. SANDERS HONORED TO WORK WITH ARMENIAN
COMMUNITY ON LEGISLATION AFFIRMING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) praised the Armenian Assembly of America's 2019 National
Advocacy Conference & Gala, and stated he is honored to work with the
Armenian community on legislation affirming the Armenian Genocide.
“I am proud
to celebrate with the Armenian Assembly of America on another successful
National Advocacy Conference and Lobby Day on the Hill. I honor your steadfast
commitment to bring about the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, raise
awareness of issues impacting the Armenian people both here and abroad, and
celebrate the Armenian people throughout the world for their incredible contributions
in business, politics, advocacy and popular culture,” Senator Sanders told the
Armenian Assembly.
“It has been
my honor to work with Armenian community in co-sponsoring Senate Resolution S
Res 150, a resolution to commemorate the Armenian Genocide through official
recognition and remembrance. This resolution is a result of years of hard work
by members of the Armenian Assembly,” he said.
“After the
murder of over two million Armenian children, women and men, and the forced
removal of two million Armenians from their homes, many Armenians came to this
Country. You built communities and lives that honored the Armenian culture. You
became leaders in your communities. As a diaspora you refused to be silent
about the genocide that forced you from hour homeland. You were steadfast in
your commitment and determination to gain recognition of the horrors of your
ancestors, your parents, grandparents, and extended families experienced as a
genocide,” Senator Sanders continued.
“I thank you
for your remarkable and successful efforts and reaffirm my commitment to you to
join in recognizing the Armenian Genocide and supporting a strong relationship
between the United States and Armenia.”
The Assembly
also received letters from former Vice President and Senator Joe Biden;
Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (D-CA);
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY); Senate Foreign Relations
Committee Ranking Member Robert Menendez (D-NJ); California Senators Dianne
Feinstein (D-CA) and Kamala Harris (D-CA); Massachusetts Senators
Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA); the leadership of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues - Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ),
Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Peter King (R-NY); House
Natural Resources Committee Chairman Raul Grijalva (D-AZ);
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA); Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA);
Rep. Chellie Pingree (D-ME); Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI);
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD); and Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA)
emphasizing the importance of reaffirming the United States’ record on the
Armenian Genocide and congratulating Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) for receiving
the Assembly’s Deukmejian Award for Public Service. The letters were sent to
the Armenian Assembly for its 2019 National Advocacy Conference and Gala, which
was widely attended by Armenian American leaders and activists from throughout
the United States.
The letter
is available at bit.ly/berniesanders2019
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 non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
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