Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
May 16, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY PARTICIPATES IN 92ND COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian Assembly joined hundreds of Armenian
community members and supporters on Capitol Hill to commemorate the
92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24.
The event, which was spearheaded by the Co-Chairs of the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian issues, Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ)
and Joseph Knollenberg (R-MI), in conjunction with the Armenian
Embassy, featured lawmakers, Armenian-American organizations and
Armenian community leaders as speakers.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John M. Evans was praised by the
Co-Chairs for his use of the term Genocide in describing this horrific
crime against humanity.
Evans delivered the keynote speech saying, "a foreign policy that does
not factor in history, is a foreign policy that is vulnerable. A
country that does not know or refuses to learn the lessons of history
is doubly vulnerable because the past has a long reach and lessons not
learned can lead to future mistakes and tragedies."
The lineup of speakers also included Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ),
Representatives Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Mark Kirk (R-IL),
Thaddeus G. McCotter (R-MI), Donald Payne (D-NJ), George Radanovich
(R-CA), Ed Royce (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA) and
Diane Watson (D-CA). Congressmen David Dreier (R-CA) and James
McGovern (D-MA) were also present. Additionally, community members who
addressed the crowd were His Eminence Archbishop Khajag Barsamian,
Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern) and
His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Primate of the Eastern
Prelacy of the Armenian Church of America, Armenia’s Ambassador to the
U.S. Tatoul Markarian and Permanent Representative of the Nagorno
Karabakh Republic Vardan Barseghian.
The speakers all discussed the importance of passing the Armenian
Genocide Resolution, H. Res. 106, which was introduced by
Reps. Schiff, Pallone, Knollenberg and Radanovich along with McCotter
and Sherman. They reiterated the magnitude of recognizing the fact of
the Armenian Genocide saying "we will never forget" and that the only
way to stop future tragedies is to recognize the tragedies of the
past.
"We thank Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg for
organizing this event commemorating the 92nd Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide," said Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair
Hovnanian. "We also appreciate the motivation and support of all the
lawmakers who are determined to reaffirm the U.S. record on the
Armenian Genocide."
Throughout the week of April 24, several lawmakers delivered speeches
on the House floor and submitted statements for the congressional
record emphasizing the importance of U.S. affirmation of the Armenian
Genocide.
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), in her statement, also commented on
the murder of Hrant Dink saying in part: "As recently as January of
this year, a Turkish-Armenian journalist, Hrant Dink, was murdered
because of his outspoken advocacy for Turkish recognition of the
Armenian Genocide. This incident serves as an important reminder that
an open, informed, and tolerant discussion of the genocide is
critical."
Representative Ed Markey (D-MA) addressed the House on April 23
saying: "Today, we have an opportunity and a responsibility to help
ensure that the Armenian people can build a better future. And so, I
look forward to continuing to work with the Armenian-American
community and Members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenia to
address the issues facing this longtime friend and important ally of
the United States, so that together we build something positive,
something hopeful, something good for the future–a peaceful,
prosperous and secure Armenia."
In addition, to Senator Feinstein and Representative Markey, the
following lawmakers also submitted statements for the congressional
record: Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Jack
Reed (D-RI) and Representatives Howard Berman (D-CA), Michael Capuano
(D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), John Conyers (D-MI), Jerry Costello (D-IL),
James Langevin (D-RI), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), James McGovern (D-MA),
Michael McNulty (D-NY), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-CA),
Hilda Solis (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Henry Waxman (D-CA).
The Assembly also participated in Armenian Genocide commemorations in
California and Armenia. In California, there were a series of events
leading up to April 24 including an event supported by the Assembly
and hosted by the University of California, San Diego Armenian
Students Association. The program featured a lecture on the parallels
between the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide by Professor Lawrence
Baron, Director of the Lipinsky Institute of Judaic Studies. On April
24, Armenian-American community members gathered at the Armenian
Genocide Monument in Bicknell Park in Montebello, CA, to pay their
respects. Meanwhile in Armenia, Assembly staff joined government
officials, religious leaders, members of the diplomatic corps and
civilians to pay their respects at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in
Yerevan.
The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR2007-058