Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
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PRESS RELEASE
October 21, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ANCA PRAISES REPUBLICAN HOUSE MEMBERS FOR POWERFUL
SUPPORT ON KEY ARMENIAN AMERICAN INITIATIVES
— Cites Role of Rep. Knollenberg, Radanovich and
others in Advancing Armenian Issues on Capitol Hill
WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
cited key House Republicans for their leadership on wide range of
issues of concern to the Armenian American community, including
support for Armenian Genocide reaffirmation, strengthening U.S.-
Armenia economic relations, and ensuring parity in U.S. military
assistance to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
“We appreciate the leadership and value the support of the many
Congressional Republicans who have consistently taken a principled
stand on fundamental issues of concern to the Armenian American
community,” stated ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. “In the coming
109th Congress, we look forward to working with these friends and
with all Members committed to expanding U.S.-Armenia relations,
continuing U.S. assistance, ensuring proper U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide, and securing a lasting and equitable resolution
to the Nagorno Karabagh conflict.”
Republican House Members including Congressional Armenian Caucus
Co-Chairman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Genocide Resolution lead
sponsor George Radanovich (R-CA), Michigan Freshman Congressman
Thaddeus McCotter, Indiana Republican Mark Souder (R-IN) and
California Freshman Devin Nunes have been awarded an “A+” rating by
the ANCA, based on a series of over 25 grading criteria, ranging
from support on key legislation to the cosigning of over a dozen
Congressional letters. A complete listing of Congressional grades
will be posted on the ANCA website – – in the upcoming
days. The specific achievements of each of the “A+” Republican
House Members are cited below.
* Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI): Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-
Chair since 2001, Rep. Knollenberg has consistently received an
“A+” grade from the ANCA. A senior member of the House Foreign
Operations Subcommittee, the Michigan legislator has continuously
supported high levels of U.S. assistance to Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh, and fought to maintain military aid parity between
Armenia and Azerbaijan. In remarks delivered at the 10th annual
ANCA Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill in April of 2004,
Rep. Knollenberg spoke about Administration efforts to reduce
assistance to Armenia. “There is no reason in the world why
Armenia has to get stiff-armed, has to get stuck at a lower number.
We will continue to scrap and claw and fight our way [in Congress]
to make sure Armenia does get what it deserves,” explained
Knollenberg.
During this Congressional term, Rep. Knollenberg was the lead
sponsor of legislation to permanently normalize U.S.-Armenia trade
relations (H.R.528). The legislation, which currently has 113
cosponsors was adopted as part of a larger trade measure in the
House and awaits final Senate approval. Rep. Knollenberg is also
an original cosponsor of the Genocide resolution, H.Res.193.
* George Radanovich (R-CA): Throughout his years in the House,
Rep. Radanovich has played a leadership role in Genocide
reaffirmation efforts, first leading a successful effort in 1996 to
cut $3 million in U.S. assistance to Turkey, a symbolic amount
representing the amount allocated by the Government of Turkey for
Genocide denial lobbying activities in the U.S. During the current
108th Congress, Rep. Radanovich was joined by Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg,
and California Democrat Adam Schiff (D-CA) in advancing the
Genocide resolution (H.Res.193). The legislation, which marks the
15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide
Convention, was unanimously adopted by the House Judiciary
Committee in May, 2003, and currently has 111 cosponsors.
* Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI): A freshman Congressman from Michigan,
Rep. McCotter has consistently supported Congressional letters and
legislation dealing with Armenian Genocide reaffirmation. In
October 2003, he questioned a pro-Turkish panel of witnesses
testifying before the House International Relations Subcommittee on
Europe about Turkey’s ongoing obstruction of Armenia-Turkey
relations. Rep. McCotter, who was among the first to join the
Congressional Armenian Caucus upon taking office in January of
2003, has also been outspoken in his support for U.S. aid to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.
* Mark Souder (R-IN): With an “A+” grade in the last two
Congressional terms, Rep. Souder has been among the most consistent
supporters of Armenian American concerns, cosigning almost every
Congressional letter in support of U.S. assistance to Armenia and
Armenian Genocide reaffirmation. In February of 2003, Rep. Souder
participated in the “Pro-Armenia” Conference held in Paris, France,
which brought together executive and legislative branch officials
from countries around the world to discuss efforts to strengthen
the political and economic future of Armenia. In an interview with
the “Armenian Weekly” following the Conference, Rep. Souder
commented that a highlight of the Conference for him was “the
opportunity to meet Armenians from around the world, understanding
the diversity of opinions of those of the Diaspora and yet their
unity on the central importance of Armenian Genocide, and the
economic potential of an Armenia based upon free market
principles.”
* Devin Nunes (R-CA): Rep. Nunes received an “A+” rating during
his first term in Congress for cosponsoring the Genocide Resolution
(H.Res.193) and legislation normalizing U.S.-Armenia trade relation
(H.R.528), and co-signeding a series of letters in support of U.S.
assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. Representing
constituents in California’s Central Valley, Rep. Nunes has worked
closely with the ANC chapter in the Fresno area.
Other House Republicans in the highest tier of support for Armenian
American concerns include Representatives Michael Bilirakis (R-FL),
Michael Ferguson (R-NJ), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL),
Edward Royce (R-CA), and John Sweeney (R-NY), all of whom received
an “A” from the ANCA. Representatives Christopher Smith (R-NJ),
Duke Cunningham (R-CA), James Saxton (R-NJ), and Judiciary
Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI) received an “A-”
rating for their leadership on Genocide affirmation efforts.
To review the specific records of all House and Senate members on
each of the ANCA rating criteria, visit the ANCA Election 2004
section: