AAA: Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution Introduced in Co

PRESS RELEASE
Date: March 18, 2015

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Email: [email protected]
Web:

ARMENIAN GENOCIDE TRUTH AND JUSTICE RESOLUTION INTRODUCED IN CONGRESS

Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny Calls on Congress, President
Obama to Affirm the Armenian Genocide

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Members Congress gathered for a press conference
at the House Triangle on Capitol Hill to announce the introduction of H.
Res. 154, the Armenian Truth and Justice Resolution. The bipartisan measure
was introduced by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL) and Rep.
Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone,
Jr. (D-NJ), and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA).

In addition to the lead sponsors, Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jackie Speier
(D-CA), David Trott (R-MI), Judy Chu (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA) spoke
publicly about the need for U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Bryan Ardouny and Armenian
National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian also spoke
about the Armenian Genocide and called on President Obama and Congress to
affirm the truth.

Below is the statement of Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny at the
Capitol Hill press conference announcing the introduction of the Armenian
Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution:

`Resolutions affirming the truth, affirming America’s role in helping save
the survivors of the first genocide of the 20th century are not only
important, but necessary. They are necessary because of ongoing efforts by
a foreign nation to distort and rewrite our own history.

`We should never let this happen.

`America’s humanitarian intervention during the Armenian Genocide was
unprecedented and something we can all be proud of.

`It was America’s ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau that
alerted the world that a `campaign of race extermination’ was under way
against the Armenian people.

`It was America’s president, Woodrow Wilson that authorized a military
mission to the region led by Major General James Harbord. Harbord, who
wrote his report on the U.S.S. Martha Washington, said that what happened
to the Armenian people during World War I was a `colossal crime for all the
ages.’ It was America that created the Near East Relief, and with the
generosity of the American people, that provided over $116 million in
relief to the survivors, including 132,000 orphans.

`And it was these orphans, young Armenian girls that wove a rug, which was
presented to President Calvin Coolidge as a symbol of a sincere gratitude
for America’s generosity and humanitarian relief. The inscription on the
rug read: Made by Armenian girls in the Ghazir, Syria orphanage of the Near
East Relief and presented as a golden rule token of appreciation to
President Coolidge.

`As Americans, we should embrace our history and not allow others to try
to sweep our history under the rug. Therefore, on the centenary of the
Armenian Genocide, we strongly urge Congress and the President to
unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide and honor America’s
unprecedented humanitarian intervention.

`Thank you.’

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.

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NR: # 2015-015

Photo Caption: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny speaking at the
Capitol Hill press conference announcing the introduction of the Armenian
Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution.

Available online at:

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress