Armenian Caucus Largest Ever At 163 Members

ARMENIAN CAUCUS LARGEST EVER AT 163 MEMBERS

DeFacto Agency, Armenia
2006-09-14 15:24:00

According to the information DE FACTO got at the Armenian Assembly
of America, the Armenian Assembly today welcomed the news that the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues now boasts 163 Members with
the addition of Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), making it the
largest Caucus to date in the 109th Congress.

"The Caucus plays an important role in helping to strengthen the
U.S.-Armenia relationship and we will continue our efforts to expand
the Caucus even further," said Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We
look forward to working with Representative DeLauro and her staff on
issues facing Armenia and Armenian-Americans."

DeLauro, who is currently serving her eighth term in office, has
co-sponsored legislation affirming the Armenian Genocide (H. Res. 316)
and has repeatedly signed congressional letters to the President
urging him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide in his annual
April 24th statement. Additionally, DeLauro signed a congressional
letter in 2004, urging the President to publicly condemn the ongoing
Azerbaijani war rhetoric against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

DeLauro also supported the amendment that retained Section 907 of
the FREEDOM Support Act which imposes restrictions on assistance to
Azerbaijan until its government ceases all blockades against Armenia
and Nagorno-Karabakh.

The Armenian Caucus was formed in 1995 to provide a bipartisan forum
for legislators to discuss how the United States can better assist
the peoples of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. As a member of this
all-important body, DeLauro joins Connecticut Representatives Nancy L.
Johnson (R-CT), John B. Larson (D-CT), Robert R. Simmons (R-CT)
and Christopher Shays (R-CT) in supporting Armenian-American interests.

The Congresswoman serves on the House Appropriations Committee and
the House Budget Committee.

The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issue. It is a 501(c) (3) tax-exempt membership organization.