Armenian National Committee – San Francisco Bay Area
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
: July 19, 2007
Contact: Matt Senekeremian
Tel: 415 387 3433
Prominent Congressional Black Caucus Leader Fights for Justice on Armenian
Genocide
San Francisco, CA – A Congresswoman from the East Bay Area has been working
with her colleagues in the U.S. Capitol to end the cycle of genocide by
raising awareness of the Turkish Government’s continuing denial of the
Armenian Genocide. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-09) is standing shoulder
to shoulder with more than 218 cosponsors of the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H. Res. 106).
"We must never forget the heinous acts of the Armenian Genocide that wrought
devastation upon a generation of Armenians and scarred the conscience of the
world. If we let such atrocities be forgotten, then we are in danger of
letting them be repeated, and I hope that Congressman Schiff’s resolution
helps us to recommit to our efforts to end the terrible, present-day
genocide in Darfur," stated Congresswoman Lee.
H. Res. 106 "calls upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of
the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity
concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide
documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide,
and for other purposes." The resolution currently has over 218 cosponsors
and is a bipartisan measure. Over 46 of California’s 53 Members of Congress
are cosponsors of H. Res. 106.
Since taking office in 1998, Congresswoman Lee has strongly promoted issues
of concern to the Armenian American community. As a longtime member of the
House International Relations Committee (1998-2006) she has consistently
reached out to fellow Members of Congress to build support for the genocide
bill and other important human rights legislation.
Congresswoman Lee, who is a close friend of the San Francisco Bay Area
Armenian National Committee Chapter (Bay Area ANC), became a cosponsor of H.
Res. 106 on January 31, 2007. In addition to being a strong voice in
promoting policies that foster international peace, security and human
rights, Congresswoman Lee has been a leader in the bipartisan effort in
Congress to end the ongoing genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Her leadership on
human rights issues is greatly revered by the Armenian American community
living in and around California’s 9th Congressional District.
"Since our first meeting with her in 1998, Rep. Barbara Lee has demonstrated
to us a keen understanding of the need for Armenian Genocide recognition,"
said Bay Area ANC Chairwoman, Roxanne Makasdjian. "We are proud that this
principled Bay Area Congresswoman has taken every available opportunity to
persuade her colleagues to join her in acknowledging and correcting
history’s wrongs."
The 9th Congressional District which the Congresswoman represents includes
most of Alameda County and the cities of Albany, Berkeley, Castro Valley,
Oakland, Piedmont and Emeryville.
Congresswoman Lee serves on the powerful House Appropriations Committee
which controls the federal budget and is widely considered one of the most
powerful committees in the House. She serves on three prominent
subcommittees – the Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and
Education, the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations and the Legislative Branch
Subcommittee. In addition to her membership in the Armenian-American issues
Caucus, Congresswoman Lee Co-Chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus,
and serves as the First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC)
and a Senior Democratic Whip. She also serves as the Co-Chair of the CBC
Outreach Task Force.
Congresswoman Lee was born in El Paso, Texas, graduated from Mills College
in Oakland and received her graduate degree from UC – Berkeley. She began
her political career as an intern in the office of her predecessor,
then-Congressman Ron Dellums (and current Oakland Mayor) where she
eventually became his Chief of Staff. She also served in the California
State Assembly from 1990-1996 and in the California State Senate from
1996-1998.
The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout
the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.