ANC MV MEETS WITH REPRESENTATIVE NIKI TSONGAS
armradio.am
30.12.2008 13:14
Armenian National Committee of Merrimack Valley (ANC MV) activists
met with Congresswoman Niki Tsongas (D-MA-5) to discuss issues
of concern to the Armenian American community, including Armenian
Genocide recognition and Nagorno Karabakh self-determination.
During the meeting, past ANC MV chairmen Joe Dagdigian and Stepan
Dulgarian explained the history of Nagorno Karabakh and the continuous
human rights violations committed by the Azeri government. ANC MV
chairwoman Pearl Teague encouraged Tsongas to take more decisive
action on this issue and support appropriate aid and other economic
and political policies regarding self- determination for the people
of Nagorno Karabakh.
Activist John Dagdigian shared his views regarding genocide
recognition and Stepan Dulgarian also shared his family’s personal
experience. Tsongas who had co-sponsored H. Res. 106, the Armenian
Genocide resolution, shortly after being sworn in to the 110th
Congress in October 2007, expressed her commitment to this issue
and the importance of its recognition. "The mass murders committed
by the Ottoman Empire against the Armenians was genocide," said
Tsongas. "Other countries have acknowledged dark chapters in their
past and it is time for Turkey to do the same. The Armenians and the
descendants of those who were victimized deserve justice." The ANC MV
also provided materials to the representative as well as encouraged
her to take a leadership role during the 111th Congress on important
Armenian issues.
"We are grateful to have Congresswoman Tsongas serving the 5th
Congressional district of Massachusetts. Several Armenian Americans
reside in the district and our community looks forward to working
with her in the upcoming Congress."