Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
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PRESS RELEASE
April 21, 2010
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
U.S. HOUSE LEADERS PLEDGE ONGOING SUPPORT FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
— Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Hoyer Reaffirm Intent to
Pass H.Res.252
— Members from both Parties Call for Vote on Anti-Genocide Measure
WASHINGTON, DC – Calls for President Barack Obama to properly
recognize the Armenian Genocide and upon the Congressional
leadership to schedule a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution
took center stage, today, at the Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide
Observance, with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Minority Leader
Steny Hoyer (D-MD) leading more than 20 of their House colleagues
at this remembrance calling for official U.S. condemnation and
commemoration of this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA).
The annual Armenian Genocide Observance, organized by the
Congressional Armenian Caucus with the support of Armenian American
organizations, was hosted by Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and Mark Kirk (R-IL). Opening prayers were offered by His Eminence
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of
Eastern United States and Archbishop Yeghishe Gezirian,
representing the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America Eastern
Region. Earlier in the day, Archbishop Choloyan had offered the
opening prayer for the U.S. House earlier in the day. Remarks were
also offered by Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., His Excellency
Tatoul Markarian, and the Nagorno Karabagh Republic’s
representative in Washington, DC, Robert Avetisyan.
In speech after speech, Members of Congress condemned Turkey’s
refusal to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide and its ongoing
campaign to pressure the international community into complicity in
Ankara’s denial of this crime.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), a longtime supporter of Armenian
Genocide recognition, stressed the remaining survivors of this
crime challenge the conscience of America. She welcomed the
passage of H.Res.252 by the Foreign Affairs Committee and called on
her colleagues not to rest until the entire U.S. government
properly recognizes this crime as a genocide. House Majority
Leader, Steny Hoyer (D-MD) offered moving comments about the core
issues of conscience at stake in U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide, and called on his colleagues and all Americans to never
stand as mere witnesses to genocide. Congressman Howard Berman,
who, as Chairman, shepherded the Armenian Genocide Resolution
through the Foreign Affairs Committee, spoke powerfully about the
moral obligation that all Americans bear to both stand up against
genocide and to oppose efforts to deny the reality of genocidal
crimes. The lead author of H.Res.252, Adam Schiff (D-CA), spoke of
his commitment to secure final adoption of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution by both houses of Congress and the full recognition of
this crime by both the U.S. government and, ultimately, the
government of Turkey as well.
Two of the evening’s most compelling speeches were offered by the
two Armenian Americans serving in the U.S. House, Jackie Speier (D-
CA) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA). In her remarks, Rep. Speier spoke
movingly about her mother’s legacy of love and her admonition to
always remember and seek recognition for the Armenian Genocide.
Congresswoman Eshoo, in a speech devoted to the single Armenian
Genocide survivor present, Yeretzgin Khoyan, and to the many
Armenian American school children in attendance, spoke forcefully
about her commitment to a truthful U.S. policy on the Armenian
Genocide.
Among the many other notable speeches delivered at the program was
the one given by New Jersey Congressman Steve Rothman (D), who, in
powerful remarks warmly welcomed by the hundreds in attendance,
noted that he has consistently told Turkish leaders that Turkey-
U.S. relations will suffer "until and unless they recognize the
genocide and discuss compensation and reparations with Armenians."
New York Congressman Elliot Engel expressed frustration at the
Turkish government’s efforts to characterize the slaughter of 1.5
million Armenians as the result of a civil war, stating: "How dare
they," and pledging to continue his support for the Armenian
Genocide Resolution. Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) took direct aim
at those who perennially argue that "this is not the right time" to
pass the Armenian Genocide Resolution, noting that this excuse will
always be around: "We will always hear that this is not the right
time. I say we do it now!" Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), who,
as a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee helped ensure its
adoption by this panel, offered a comprehensive review of Armenian
Genocide recognition efforts and made a strong moral and practical
case for its adoption by the full U.S. House.
Armenia’s Ambassador, Tatoul Markarian, in his address to the
gathering, stressed that continued progress toward universal
international recognition of the Armenian Genocide represented an
important contribution to prospects for improved Turkey-Armenia
relations. Similarly, the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh’s
Representative, Robert Avetisyan, shared his government’s full
support for U.S. and worldwide condemnation of the Armenian
Genocide.
Among the Members of Congression joining Speaker Pelosi, Majority
Leader Hoyer and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank
Pallone and Mark Kirk were Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA),
Lois Capps (D-CA), Jim Costa (D-CA), David Dreier (R-CA), Elliott
Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Rush Holt
(D-NJ), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Ed Markey (D-MA), George Miller (D-
CA), Steve Rothman (D-NJ), Ed Royce (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA),
Bobby Scott (D-VA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), and Jackie Speier (D-CA).
Complete coverage of the Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance
to be provided in the upcoming days.
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From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
