SENATOR HILLARY CLINTON COSPONSOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
Arminfo
2007-04-19 12:14:00
Senator Hillary Clinton and Senate majority leader Harry Reid
cosponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution, ANCA told ArmInfo. "We’re
very gratified that two prominent national leaders – Hillary Clinton
and Harry Reid – agreed today to join with a growing number of their
Senate colleagues in supporting the passage of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
"As the growth in cosponsors demonstrates, this anti- genocide measure
clearly enjoys the support of a broad, bipartisan majority in both
houses of Congress." In a powerful speech today on the Senate floor,
Senator Bararba Boxer, a long-standing and energetic champion of
Armenian Genocide recognition, stressed that she is "proud to be an
original co- sponsor of Senator Richard Durbin’s Senate Resolution
106. The California legislator, speaking to her Senate colleagues,
argued forcefully that, "We must recognize the genocide because
it’s the right thing to do. We must recognize the Armenian Genocide
to help shed light on the darkness and move toward a more humane
world." Last week, during remarks at a Washington, DC breakfast for
Illinois constituents, Senator Barak Obama, fielded a question from
ANCA Eastern U.S. Executive Director Karine Birazian about his support
for the Armenian Genocide Resolution.
In his response, he explained to the audience the basic facts about
the Genocide and promised to give careful consideration to cosponsoring
the measure.
Senator Obama serves on the Foreign Relations Committee and is among
the top contenders for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination. His
remarks can be viewed on YouTube: The increase in Senate and House
support for the Armenian Genocide resolutions follows an intensive
two-day Capitol Hill advocacy program in March, organized by the ANCA
and the Genocide Intervention Network, dedicated to ending the cycle
of genocide. Over 100 anti-genocide advocates from across the United
States participated in the grassroots campaign, reaching out to all
535 Senate and House offices.
The Washington, DC component of the program was followed by local
activist meetings in Congressional districts across the U.S. during
the recently-concluded two-week April district work period. Armenian
American grassroots efforts are being opposed by successive waves
of Turkish parliamentary delegations who are seeking to convince
Representatives and Senators to reject Armenian Genocide recognition
by threatening a break in U.S.-Turkey relations. This week’s six-member
Turkish lobby team included former Turkish Ambassador to the U.S. Sukru
Elekdag, and former Ambassador to Germany Onur Oymen.