REPRESENTATIVE MCGOVERN TO ADDRESS NATIONAL ADVOCACY CONFERENCE
armradio.am
18.12.2008 17:13
Representatives James McGovern (D-MA) will address the 2009 National
Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC, March 1-3, the Armenian Assembly
of America reports.
Rep. McGovern, an active member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, has been a staunch supporter of Armenian issues since being
elected to Congress in 1996. Since 1997, McGovern has repeatedly
commemorated the Armenian Genocide with statements before Congress.
"As we reflect on the 60th Anniversary of the U.N. Convention on the
Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and its critical
importance, I look forward to working with my colleagues in the
111th Congress to address the current genocidal campaign in Darfur
and preventing future genocides by combating denial and reaffirming
the Armenian Genocide," said McGovern.
In addition to co-sponsoring H.Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide
Resolution and H.Res. 102, the Hrant Dink Resolution, Rep. McGovern
has supported Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, signed letters
to President George W. Bush urging him to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, as well as asking him to call on Turkey to lift its blockade
of Armenia. McGovern has also spoken forcefully for the rights of
the people of Nagorno Karabakh.
Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) selected McGovern to replace
the late Congressman Tom Lantos, the Co-Founder of the Congressional
Human Rights Caucus, as the new Co-Chair. McGovern also serves as
Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee and is a member of the
House Budget Committee.
Assembly President Carolyn Mugar stated "Congressman McGovern is a
forceful advocate for the cause of human rights around the world. I
have every confidence that he will take the Congressional Caucus on
Human Rights to new heights and am delighted that he will address
the 2009 Advocacy Conference participants."
"With a new Administration and a new Congress, the March 2009 Advocacy
Conference is ideally timed to ensure that our issues remain front and
center," said Bryan Ardouny, Assembly Executive Director. "Congressman
McGovern understands the important role Congress plays in addressing
human rights abuses," and "we are delighted to have Representative
McGovern as the Featured Speaker at our Conference."