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OVER 50 MEMBERS OF CONGRESS ATTEND ANCA
CAPITOL HILL ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OBSERVANCE
-- Rep. Radanovich Announces Introduction of Resolution with
Congressmen Schiff, Knollenberg, Pallone and over 65 Cosponsors
-- Support H.Res.193 by Sending a Free ANCA WebFax Today
www.anca.org
WASHINGTON, DC - Over 50 Members of Congress joined with several
hundred Armenian Americans from across the country last night in
honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide at the
ninth annual ANCA Observance on Capitol Hill, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA.)
Senators and Representatives, as well as Congressional staff
representing over 100 Congressional offices, were greeted by over
350 community members, many of whom travel to annually Washington,
DC to attend the Capitol Hill Observance and discuss Armenian
American concerns with their elected representatives. The program
was held in the historic Cannon Caucus Room.
"We were pleased that so many Armenian Americans from around the
nation joined with us at this observance in thanking Members of
Congress who are fighting for official U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
"We look forward, in the weeks and months ahead, to working with
all of our friends in bringing an end to Turkey's campaign of
denial and making sure that the lessons of the Armenian Genocide -
and all past genocides - are used to help prevent future crimes
against humanity."
Master of Ceremonies Chris Hekimian opened the evening by inviting
His Eminence Oshagan Choloyan to offer the invocation. In addition
to Congressional speeches throughout the evening, remarks were
offered by His Excellency Arman Kirakosian, Ambassador of Armenia
to the U.S.; Vardan Barsegian, Nagorno Karabagh Representative in
Washington, DC; ANCA Chairman Kenneth Hachikian; and, Anthony
Barsamian Vice-Chairman of the Armenian Assembly. Bishop Vicken
Aykazian, Legate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America,
and Bishop Manuel Batakian representing the Apostolic Exarchate for
Armenian Catholics also participated in the program.
Genocide Resolution Introduced April 10th
-----------------------------------------------
Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), the first of over 20 Members of
Congress to offer remarks during the course of the evening, spoke
forcefully about the need for U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and announced that he would be joining Representatives
Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) in introducing
legislation on April 10th, marking the 15th anniversary of the U.S.
implementation of the U.N. Convention on the Punishment and
Prevention of Genocide.
The legislation -- H.Res.193 -- was introduced earlier today
with over 65 original cosponsors, including House Judiciary
Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Judiciary
Committee ranking Democrat John Conyers (D-MI), House
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Rules Committee
Chairman David Dreier (R-CA). The resolution will likely
be referred to the Judiciary Committee because it deals with
changes made to the U.S. Criminal Code to bring the U.S.
into full agreement with the terms of the Genocide Convention.
The Genocide Resolution is supported by all the leading Armenian
American organizations, including: the Apostolic Exarchate for
Armenian Catholics (New York, NY), Armenia Fund USA (New York, NY),
Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (San Francisco,
CA), Armenian Assembly of America (Washington, DC), Armenian Bar
Association (Los Angeles, CA), Armenian Evangelical Union of North
America (Paramus, NJ), Armenian Evangelical World Council (Paramus,
NJ), Armenian General Benevolent Union (New York, NY), Armenian
Missionary Association of America (Paramus, NJ), Armenian National
Committee of America (Washington, DC), Armenian Relief Society
(Watertown, MA; Glendale, CA), Armenian Youth Federation
(Watertown, MA; Glendale, CA), Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church - East (New York, NY), Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church - West (Burbank, CA), Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural
Organization (Watertown, MA; Glendale, CA), Homenetmen Armenian
General Athletic Union (Watertown, MA; Glendale, CA), Knights of
Vartan (New York, NY), National Organization of Republican
Armenians (Washington, DC), Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church - East (New York, NY), Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church - West (Glendale, CA), Tekeyan Cultural Association
(Watertown, MA), United Armenia Fund (Glendale, CA).
Representatives Discuss Support for
Congressional Letter to President Bush
----------------------------------------------------------------
Many speakers at the Observance discussed their support for the
Congressional letter being sent this April to President Bush,
urging him to properly characterize the 1915-1923 centrally planned
and systematically executed slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians as
"genocide." As of today, over 170 Members of Congress have co-
signed the letter. It states, in part, that: "By properly
recognizing the atrocities committed in 1915 against the Armenian
people as genocide in your April 24th statement this year, you will
honor America's historic leadership and remind the world of the
democratic and humanitarian values on which our country is founded.
In this period of heightened international conflicts, your message
would be most timely."
Senator William Proxmire Honored with ANCA Freedom Award
--------------------------------------------------------
The highlight of the Observance was the tribute by the ANCA to
former Wisconsin Senator Bill Proxmire, who led a tireless 20-year
campaign to attain U.S. adoption of the U.N. Genocide Convention.
Senator Proxmire, noted for his unswerving commitment to human
rights, delivered over 3,200 speeches during his Senate career to
ensure passage of the measure. Mrs. Ellen Proxmire, who was
present to receive the ANCA Freedom Award on her husband's behalf,
offered moving remarks about the Senator's career and lifelong
commitment to preventing genocide. The Senator's efforts were
documented in Samantha Power's book, "A Problem from Hell: American
in the Age of Genocide," which recently won the Pulitzer Prize for
General Non-Fiction. The actual legislation implementing the
Genocide Convention is known popularly as the Proxmire Act.
Members of Congress offering remarks during the Observance included
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV), John Conyers (D-MI), Joseph
Crowley (D-NJ), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Rush Holt (D-
NJ), Sue Kelly (R-NY), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), James
Langevin (D-RI), James McGovern (D-MA), George Radanovich (R-CA),
Steve Rothman (D-NJ), Ed Royce (R-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Hilda
Solis (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Tierney (D-MA), Stephanie
Tubbs-Jones (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Diane Watson (D-
CA). Additional coverage of the observance will follow.
Support the adoption of the Genocide Resolution by visiting the
ANCA website at www.anca.org and sending a free ANCA WebFax to your
Member of Congress.
CAPITOL HILL ARMENIAN GENOCIDE OBSERVANCE
-- Rep. Radanovich Announces Introduction of Resolution with
Congressmen Schiff, Knollenberg, Pallone and over 65 Cosponsors
-- Support H.Res.193 by Sending a Free ANCA WebFax Today
www.anca.org
WASHINGTON, DC - Over 50 Members of Congress joined with several
hundred Armenian Americans from across the country last night in
honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide at the
ninth annual ANCA Observance on Capitol Hill, reported the Armenian
National Committee of America (ANCA.)
Senators and Representatives, as well as Congressional staff
representing over 100 Congressional offices, were greeted by over
350 community members, many of whom travel to annually Washington,
DC to attend the Capitol Hill Observance and discuss Armenian
American concerns with their elected representatives. The program
was held in the historic Cannon Caucus Room.
"We were pleased that so many Armenian Americans from around the
nation joined with us at this observance in thanking Members of
Congress who are fighting for official U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian.
"We look forward, in the weeks and months ahead, to working with
all of our friends in bringing an end to Turkey's campaign of
denial and making sure that the lessons of the Armenian Genocide -
and all past genocides - are used to help prevent future crimes
against humanity."
Master of Ceremonies Chris Hekimian opened the evening by inviting
His Eminence Oshagan Choloyan to offer the invocation. In addition
to Congressional speeches throughout the evening, remarks were
offered by His Excellency Arman Kirakosian, Ambassador of Armenia
to the U.S.; Vardan Barsegian, Nagorno Karabagh Representative in
Washington, DC; ANCA Chairman Kenneth Hachikian; and, Anthony
Barsamian Vice-Chairman of the Armenian Assembly. Bishop Vicken
Aykazian, Legate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America,
and Bishop Manuel Batakian representing the Apostolic Exarchate for
Armenian Catholics also participated in the program.
Genocide Resolution Introduced April 10th
-----------------------------------------------
Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), the first of over 20 Members of
Congress to offer remarks during the course of the evening, spoke
forcefully about the need for U.S. recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and announced that he would be joining Representatives
Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairman
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) in introducing
legislation on April 10th, marking the 15th anniversary of the U.S.
implementation of the U.N. Convention on the Punishment and
Prevention of Genocide.
The legislation -- H.Res.193 -- was introduced earlier today
with over 65 original cosponsors, including House Judiciary
Committee Chairman James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Judiciary
Committee ranking Democrat John Conyers (D-MI), House
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Rules Committee
Chairman David Dreier (R-CA). The resolution will likely
be referred to the Judiciary Committee because it deals with
changes made to the U.S. Criminal Code to bring the U.S.
into full agreement with the terms of the Genocide Convention.
The Genocide Resolution is supported by all the leading Armenian
American organizations, including: the Apostolic Exarchate for
Armenian Catholics (New York, NY), Armenia Fund USA (New York, NY),
Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (San Francisco,
CA), Armenian Assembly of America (Washington, DC), Armenian Bar
Association (Los Angeles, CA), Armenian Evangelical Union of North
America (Paramus, NJ), Armenian Evangelical World Council (Paramus,
NJ), Armenian General Benevolent Union (New York, NY), Armenian
Missionary Association of America (Paramus, NJ), Armenian National
Committee of America (Washington, DC), Armenian Relief Society
(Watertown, MA; Glendale, CA), Armenian Youth Federation
(Watertown, MA; Glendale, CA), Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church - East (New York, NY), Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic
Church - West (Burbank, CA), Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural
Organization (Watertown, MA; Glendale, CA), Homenetmen Armenian
General Athletic Union (Watertown, MA; Glendale, CA), Knights of
Vartan (New York, NY), National Organization of Republican
Armenians (Washington, DC), Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church - East (New York, NY), Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church - West (Glendale, CA), Tekeyan Cultural Association
(Watertown, MA), United Armenia Fund (Glendale, CA).
Representatives Discuss Support for
Congressional Letter to President Bush
----------------------------------------------------------------
Many speakers at the Observance discussed their support for the
Congressional letter being sent this April to President Bush,
urging him to properly characterize the 1915-1923 centrally planned
and systematically executed slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians as
"genocide." As of today, over 170 Members of Congress have co-
signed the letter. It states, in part, that: "By properly
recognizing the atrocities committed in 1915 against the Armenian
people as genocide in your April 24th statement this year, you will
honor America's historic leadership and remind the world of the
democratic and humanitarian values on which our country is founded.
In this period of heightened international conflicts, your message
would be most timely."
Senator William Proxmire Honored with ANCA Freedom Award
--------------------------------------------------------
The highlight of the Observance was the tribute by the ANCA to
former Wisconsin Senator Bill Proxmire, who led a tireless 20-year
campaign to attain U.S. adoption of the U.N. Genocide Convention.
Senator Proxmire, noted for his unswerving commitment to human
rights, delivered over 3,200 speeches during his Senate career to
ensure passage of the measure. Mrs. Ellen Proxmire, who was
present to receive the ANCA Freedom Award on her husband's behalf,
offered moving remarks about the Senator's career and lifelong
commitment to preventing genocide. The Senator's efforts were
documented in Samantha Power's book, "A Problem from Hell: American
in the Age of Genocide," which recently won the Pulitzer Prize for
General Non-Fiction. The actual legislation implementing the
Genocide Convention is known popularly as the Proxmire Act.
Members of Congress offering remarks during the Observance included
Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
Representatives Shelley Berkley (D-NV), John Conyers (D-MI), Joseph
Crowley (D-NJ), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Rush Holt (D-
NJ), Sue Kelly (R-NY), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), James
Langevin (D-RI), James McGovern (D-MA), George Radanovich (R-CA),
Steve Rothman (D-NJ), Ed Royce (R-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Hilda
Solis (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Tierney (D-MA), Stephanie
Tubbs-Jones (D-OH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Diane Watson (D-
CA). Additional coverage of the observance will follow.
Support the adoption of the Genocide Resolution by visiting the
ANCA website at www.anca.org and sending a free ANCA WebFax to your
Member of Congress.