Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
January 23, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
MOMENTUM FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE REAFFIRMATION CONTINUES TO GROW AS
SENATORS BIDEN, OBAMA OFFER SUPPORT
Washington, DC – Support for the reaffirmation of the Armenian
Genocide continues to grow with Senators Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE)
and Barack Obama (D-IL) urging Congress to adopt key human rights
legislation which affirms the historical truth of the Armenian
Genocide.
Biden, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, signed on
yesterday as a cosponsor of S. Res. 106, which reaffirms the facts of
the Armenian Genocide and recognizes the proud record of
U.S. humanitarian intervention. The legislation was introduced last
March by Assistant Majority Leader Senator Richard J. Durbin (D-IL)
and Senator John Ensign (R-NV), both longtime Armenian issues
supporters who have sponsored similar reaffirmation initiatives in the
past. The Senate Genocide resolution mirrors legislation introduced in
the House of Representatives, known as H. Res. 106.
The House version, spearheaded by Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), George
Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI), together with Representatives Brad Sherman (D-CA), Anna Eshoo
(D-CA) and Edward Royce (R-CA), among others, passed the House Foreign
Affairs Committee by a 27-21 vote last October.
Also, in a statement of support last week, Obama said the time has
come to acknowledge this calamitous chapter of world history by its
proper name. He called for the passage of the House and Senate
versions of the Genocide resolution, and pledged to recognize the
Armenian Genocide if elected president.
"America deserves a leader who speaks truthfully about the Armenian
Genocide and responds forcefully to all genocides," Obama stated. "I
intend to be that President."
"…the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a personal opinion, or
a point of view, but rather a widely documented fact supported by an
overwhelming body of historical evidence," he added. "The facts are
undeniable."
"The Armenian Assembly commends Senators Biden and Obama for their
leadership on this critical human rights issue," said Executive
Director Bryan Ardouny. "In order to address current atrocities taking
place, such as the genocide in Darfur and to prevent future crimes, we
must properly acknowledge all past genocides. Passage of S. Res. 106
and H. Res. 106 will send a strong message to those who to this day
inexplicably deny this incontestable fact."
"One need only look at the events this week with Turkey’s President
rolling out the red carpet for the Sudanese President al-Bashir at a
time when the international community is trying to isolate this
genocidal regime to understand the importance of adopting these
resolutions," Ardouny continued.
Established in 1972, 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.
NR#2008-007
Photograph below is available on the Assembly’s website at the
following link:
es/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/NR__2007-073_biden.jpg
Caption: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, left, with Senate
Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Sen. Joseph R. Biden, Jr. (D-DE).