Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
May 25, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
CONGRESSIONAL HELLENIC CAUCUS CALLS FOR
PASSAGE OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
— ANCA Welcomes Support from 127-Member Group
WASHINGTON, DC – In a sign of the growing bipartisan support in
Congress for the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106), the
Caucus on Hellenic Issues – spearheaded by New York Democrat
Carolyn Maloney and Florida Republican Gus Bilirakis – this week
asserted that "it is time" for the U.S. government to recognize
this crime against humanity, reported the Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA).
The Co-Chairs of the 127-member Caucus, in a May 23rd letter
circulated to their House colleagues, stressed that, "it is time
for our government to finally acknowledge that the unimaginable
horror committed on Turkish soil in the aftermath of World War I
was, and is, an act of genocide. The United States must stand up
for human rights everywhere by renewing its commitment to prevent
similar atrocities and by acknowledging that the Armenian Genocide
is a historical fact."
"We appreciate the leadership of Representatives Maloney and
Bilirakis and support of the membership of the Hellenic Caucus for
the timely adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution," said ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We welcome, as well, the work
of the American Hellenic Institute and all our friends in the Greek
American community for full recognition of the genocidal crimes
Turkey has committed against its Christian subjects."
The Congressional Caucus on Hellenic Issues regularly cooperates on
issues of mutual concern with the Armenian Issues Caucus, Co-
chaired by Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-
MI). The American Hellenic Institute and the United Hellenic
American Congress are among the Greek American organizations
supporting the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. The
ANCA, last week, joined with Hellenes around the world in marking
May 19th, the day of remembrance for the genocide of the Pontian
Greeks.
H.Res.106, and its companion bill in the Senate, S.Res.106, call on
the President to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide and to
help ensure that the U.S. government applies the lessons of this
atrocity in seeking to prevent future crimes against humanity. In
the House, the resolution is being led by Representatives Adam
Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI),
and Foreign Affairs Committee members Brad Sherman (D-CA) and
Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI). The House measure has 196 cosponsors.
The Senate bill, which is led by Senators Richard Durbin (D-IL) and
John Ensign (R-NV), currently has 31 cosponsors, including Senate
Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV).
A copy of the Hellenic Caucus "Dear Colleague" letter is attached.
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