ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 25, 2019
Contact: Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Web: www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA WELCOMES
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
RESOLUTION
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly) welcomes the National Council of Churches statement in support of
H.Res. 296, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, which is scheduled for a vote
the week of October 28.
“The Assembly welcomes NCC’s powerful
statement in support of H.Res. 296 and greatly appreciates their friendship and
solidarity,” stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
Serving as a leading voice of witness to
the living Christ in the public square since 1950, the National Council of
Churches of Christ in the USA (NCC) brings together 38 member communions and
more than 40 million Christians in a common commitment to God’s love and
promise of unity.
The NCC statement read in part: “From
the 4th Century, the Armenian community has been a living and vibrant witness
to the Gospel that is at the heart of our shared Christian faith. This
community suffered through genocide at the turn of the 20th century, with the
loss of one-and-a-half million lives through persecution by the Ottoman
Empire…The Armenian people have provided inspiration by standing against the
evil of genocide wherever and whenever it is committed. Now is the moment for
the United States of America to recognize the Armenian Genocide.”
The NCC has long supported affirmation
of the Armenian Genocide and since it was established has been a prophetic
voice for justice and peace. The Armenian Assembly had the honor and privilege
of working with the NCC, including Jim Winkler, NCC’s General Secretary and
President who has served as a distinguished panelist at the Armenian Assembly’s
Advocacy Conferences discussing the plight of Christians at risk in the middle
east.
“We are grateful for NCC’s support and
for shinning a light on this important human rights issue,” stated Archbishop
Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America
(Eastern) in Washington, DC and past president of the NCC.
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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