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ASSEMBLY THIS WEEK Monday, June 20, 2005
CONGRESSMAN RADANOVICH INTRODUCES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
An Armenian Genocide resolution that would reaffirm the U.S. record on this
crime against humanity was introduced in the House of Representatives last week
by Congressmen George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
The legislation, co-sponsored by 50 additional House Members, calls upon the
President to “ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects
appropriate understanding” of the “Armenian Genocide” and to
“accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of
1,500,000 Armenians as genocide” in the President’s annual message.
“I am proud to once again introduce legislation, that will recall for the
benefit of future generations, the first genocide of the 20th century and the
extraordinary American response to the attempted destruction of the Armenian
people,” said Radanovich, the bill’s lead sponsor.
This legislation is similar to 2000 House resolution which was withdrawn from a
floor vote at the last minute due to an intervention by President Clinton.
“The Assembly commends the leadership of Congressmen Radanovich and Schiff,
and Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Knollenberg and Pallone, for spearheading the
bi-partisan campaign.
“We anticipate the opposition to be vigorous, and know that the
Armenian-American community will rise in a united effort during this the 90th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,” Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair
Hovnanian said.
HOUSE FOREIGN AID PANEL APPROVES NEARLY $68 MILLION FOR ARMENIA FOR FY 2006
The Assembly last week praised members of a key House Appropriations
Subcommittee for approving $67.5 million in economic aid to Armenia next year
– an increase of $12.5 million over the Administration’s budget request.
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, also calls
for up to $5 million for Nagorno Karabakh and maintains military assistance
parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan with $5.75 million allocated to each.
“Given the current budget restraints, we appreciate the leadership of
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and commend Chairman Jim Kolbe
(R-AZ) and his Subcommittee for securing this assistance to Armenia and
Karabakh,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We also thank
Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) for her steadfast support.”
Ardouny noted that the request level reflects a serious drop in U.S. assistance
to the former Soviet states – specifically from $555 million in FY 2005 to
$477 million for FY 2006.
The Subcommittee also allocated $5 million in Foreign Military Financing and
$750,000 for International Military Education and Training to both Armenia and
Azerbaijan, as requested by the Bush Administration.
The Assembly, for its part, testified before Congress regarding the need to
maintain robust aid levels to Armenia and Karabakh. Additionally, Assembly
leaders wrote separately to Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey to
reiterate the Assembly’s priorities for the South Caucasus generally, and
Armenia and Karabakh specifically.
NEW JERSEY STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
The Assembly today commended the state of New Jersey for its dual efforts in
recognizing and raising awareness of the Armenian Genocide. In Trenton, the
State legislature unanimously approved a joint resolution commemorating the
90th anniversary of genocide, while the state-appointed education commission
announced that the internationally acclaimed curriculum on the Armenian
Genocide, produced by Facing History and Ourselves (FHAO), will be incorporated
in public and private schools across the state.
Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny was in New Jersey for the
passage of the resolution and the announcement of the new curriculum.
The resolution, which was sponsored by State Assembly members Joan Voss (D-38)
and Robert Gordon (D-38), honors the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who
were killed by the Ottoman Turks.
The Assembly also commended NJ officials for including Armenian Genocide
studies as part of the statewide curriculum.
The new curriculum, which was initiated jointly by the Armenian National
Institute and the Assembly, marks the first time in the U.S. that a
comprehensive set of courses on the Armenian Genocide will be recommended for
inclusion by teachers. It consists of the resource book on the Armenian
Genocide developed by FHAO, entitled “Crimes Against Humanity and
Civilization: the Genocide of the Armenians.” The book will be distributed to
middle and high schools in the state, along with a guide to teachers prepared
by the N.J. Commission on Holocaust Education.
“All Armenians are indebted to the state of New Jersey for championing
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide in the State Legislature,” said Board of
Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian. “New Jersey should be justifiably
proud of its pioneering role that has led to the inclusion of the Armenian
Genocide in its statewide curricula. For the past 18 years, the Assembly and
ANI have been engaged in human rights education initiatives in the state and
are pleased that our recommendations for a comprehensive curriculum on the
Armenian Genocide have come to fruition.”
INTERNS IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON
On June 15, Dr. Levon Avdoyan, Armenian and Georgian Area Specialist at the
Library of Congress, welcomed the Assembly’s summer interns and provided them
a guided tour of the facility.
Following the tour, Avdoyan showed interns ancient Armenian manuscripts and
artifacts dating to the 12th century A.D.
Several students said they appreciated learning more about Armenian history and
culture.
“The collection itself is vital to where Armenia has been throughout history
and vital to our future as well,” said intern Justin Kalemkiarian. “It was
great to meet someone who is so passionate about Armenian history. His passion
instilled in me the desire to learn more about our unique culture and
history.”
Tomorrow, students will meet with Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
Member Rep. Adam Schiff (R-CA) to learn more about inner workings of the Caucus
and the legislative process.
10TH ANNUAL MISSION TO ARMENIA, NKR SET FOR OCT. 19-NOV. 1; MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
The Assembly is pleased to announce that the 10th Annual Trustee Mission to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh is scheduled for October 19 through November 1,
2005 via the European city of London, England.
This unique 12-day trip will include the first-ever Assembly International
Banquet, which will be held on October 22, in Yerevan. The banquet will
celebrate the ever-growing U.S.-Armenia relationship and include U.S. and
Armenian dignitaries and community supporters.
“On the occasion of the 10 year anniversary of the Assembly Mission, I am
delighted to once again lead this trip to the homeland,” said Annie Totah,
Mission Leader and Board of Directors Vice Chair. “I am especially looking
forward to our International Banquet in Yerevan, honoring the U.S.-Armenia
bilateral relationship.”
For more information or to sign up, please contact Rita Mullane, Deputy
Director, Development & Membership at (202) 393-3434 ext. 234 or
[email protected].
NEWS & NOTES
♦ Assembly Board of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah, Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny and Research and Information Associate Emil Sanamyan attended a
reception at the Armenian Embassy on June 16 to celebrate the 100th Habitat for
Humanity house built in Armenia.
♦ Sanamyan last week also attended a presentation by the Georgian Defense
Minister at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
He also met with Matt Scmidt, a Department of Defense contractor, to discuss
Armenian-Georgian issues.
♦ In California, the Assembly’s Western Office helped organize a reception
in honor of the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Karekin II to the United
States. The event was hosted by State Senators Charles Poochigian (R-Fresno),
Joseph Simitian (D-Palo Alto), Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco) and State
Assembly member Greg Aghazarian (R-Stockton) and attended by more than 20
members of the State Legislature as well as members of Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger’s staff. Following the reception, the spiritual leader met
with Governor Schwarzenegger.
♦ In Yerevan, Country Director for Armenia and Karabakh Arpi Vartanian last
Saturday spoke at a conference, entitled “Youth: Reality and Prospects”.
Vartanian discussed how adults can encourage youngsters to become better
prepared for the future.
Calendar of Events
6/26: “Beast on the Moon”; New York City
6/29-7/11: Young Leadership Group Mission to Armenia
7/10: Great Lakes Regional Annual Picnic; Farmington Hills, MI
10/19-11/1: Annual Mission to Armenia & NKR
************************************************** ***************
A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
1140 19th Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 393-3434 FAX
(202) 638-4904
E-Mail: [email protected] WEB http://www.armenianassembly.org
************************************************** ***************
CONGRESSMAN RADANOVICH INTRODUCES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
An Armenian Genocide resolution that would reaffirm the U.S. record on this
crime against humanity was introduced in the House of Representatives last week
by Congressmen George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Joe Knollenberg
(R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
The legislation, co-sponsored by 50 additional House Members, calls upon the
President to “ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects
appropriate understanding” of the “Armenian Genocide” and to
“accurately characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of
1,500,000 Armenians as genocide” in the President’s annual message.
“I am proud to once again introduce legislation, that will recall for the
benefit of future generations, the first genocide of the 20th century and the
extraordinary American response to the attempted destruction of the Armenian
people,” said Radanovich, the bill’s lead sponsor.
This legislation is similar to 2000 House resolution which was withdrawn from a
floor vote at the last minute due to an intervention by President Clinton.
“The Assembly commends the leadership of Congressmen Radanovich and Schiff,
and Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Knollenberg and Pallone, for spearheading the
bi-partisan campaign.
“We anticipate the opposition to be vigorous, and know that the
Armenian-American community will rise in a united effort during this the 90th
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,” Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair
Hovnanian said.
HOUSE FOREIGN AID PANEL APPROVES NEARLY $68 MILLION FOR ARMENIA FOR FY 2006
The Assembly last week praised members of a key House Appropriations
Subcommittee for approving $67.5 million in economic aid to Armenia next year
– an increase of $12.5 million over the Administration’s budget request.
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, also calls
for up to $5 million for Nagorno Karabakh and maintains military assistance
parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan with $5.75 million allocated to each.
“Given the current budget restraints, we appreciate the leadership of
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and commend Chairman Jim Kolbe
(R-AZ) and his Subcommittee for securing this assistance to Armenia and
Karabakh,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We also thank
Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) for her steadfast support.”
Ardouny noted that the request level reflects a serious drop in U.S. assistance
to the former Soviet states – specifically from $555 million in FY 2005 to
$477 million for FY 2006.
The Subcommittee also allocated $5 million in Foreign Military Financing and
$750,000 for International Military Education and Training to both Armenia and
Azerbaijan, as requested by the Bush Administration.
The Assembly, for its part, testified before Congress regarding the need to
maintain robust aid levels to Armenia and Karabakh. Additionally, Assembly
leaders wrote separately to Chairman Kolbe and Ranking Member Lowey to
reiterate the Assembly’s priorities for the South Caucasus generally, and
Armenia and Karabakh specifically.
NEW JERSEY STATE ASSEMBLY PASSES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
The Assembly today commended the state of New Jersey for its dual efforts in
recognizing and raising awareness of the Armenian Genocide. In Trenton, the
State legislature unanimously approved a joint resolution commemorating the
90th anniversary of genocide, while the state-appointed education commission
announced that the internationally acclaimed curriculum on the Armenian
Genocide, produced by Facing History and Ourselves (FHAO), will be incorporated
in public and private schools across the state.
Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny was in New Jersey for the
passage of the resolution and the announcement of the new curriculum.
The resolution, which was sponsored by State Assembly members Joan Voss (D-38)
and Robert Gordon (D-38), honors the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who
were killed by the Ottoman Turks.
The Assembly also commended NJ officials for including Armenian Genocide
studies as part of the statewide curriculum.
The new curriculum, which was initiated jointly by the Armenian National
Institute and the Assembly, marks the first time in the U.S. that a
comprehensive set of courses on the Armenian Genocide will be recommended for
inclusion by teachers. It consists of the resource book on the Armenian
Genocide developed by FHAO, entitled “Crimes Against Humanity and
Civilization: the Genocide of the Armenians.” The book will be distributed to
middle and high schools in the state, along with a guide to teachers prepared
by the N.J. Commission on Holocaust Education.
“All Armenians are indebted to the state of New Jersey for championing
remembrance of the Armenian Genocide in the State Legislature,” said Board of
Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian. “New Jersey should be justifiably
proud of its pioneering role that has led to the inclusion of the Armenian
Genocide in its statewide curricula. For the past 18 years, the Assembly and
ANI have been engaged in human rights education initiatives in the state and
are pleased that our recommendations for a comprehensive curriculum on the
Armenian Genocide have come to fruition.”
INTERNS IN AND AROUND WASHINGTON
On June 15, Dr. Levon Avdoyan, Armenian and Georgian Area Specialist at the
Library of Congress, welcomed the Assembly’s summer interns and provided them
a guided tour of the facility.
Following the tour, Avdoyan showed interns ancient Armenian manuscripts and
artifacts dating to the 12th century A.D.
Several students said they appreciated learning more about Armenian history and
culture.
“The collection itself is vital to where Armenia has been throughout history
and vital to our future as well,” said intern Justin Kalemkiarian. “It was
great to meet someone who is so passionate about Armenian history. His passion
instilled in me the desire to learn more about our unique culture and
history.”
Tomorrow, students will meet with Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
Member Rep. Adam Schiff (R-CA) to learn more about inner workings of the Caucus
and the legislative process.
10TH ANNUAL MISSION TO ARMENIA, NKR SET FOR OCT. 19-NOV. 1; MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
The Assembly is pleased to announce that the 10th Annual Trustee Mission to
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh is scheduled for October 19 through November 1,
2005 via the European city of London, England.
This unique 12-day trip will include the first-ever Assembly International
Banquet, which will be held on October 22, in Yerevan. The banquet will
celebrate the ever-growing U.S.-Armenia relationship and include U.S. and
Armenian dignitaries and community supporters.
“On the occasion of the 10 year anniversary of the Assembly Mission, I am
delighted to once again lead this trip to the homeland,” said Annie Totah,
Mission Leader and Board of Directors Vice Chair. “I am especially looking
forward to our International Banquet in Yerevan, honoring the U.S.-Armenia
bilateral relationship.”
For more information or to sign up, please contact Rita Mullane, Deputy
Director, Development & Membership at (202) 393-3434 ext. 234 or
[email protected].
NEWS & NOTES
♦ Assembly Board of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah, Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny and Research and Information Associate Emil Sanamyan attended a
reception at the Armenian Embassy on June 16 to celebrate the 100th Habitat for
Humanity house built in Armenia.
♦ Sanamyan last week also attended a presentation by the Georgian Defense
Minister at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington.
He also met with Matt Scmidt, a Department of Defense contractor, to discuss
Armenian-Georgian issues.
♦ In California, the Assembly’s Western Office helped organize a reception
in honor of the Pontifical visit of His Holiness Karekin II to the United
States. The event was hosted by State Senators Charles Poochigian (R-Fresno),
Joseph Simitian (D-Palo Alto), Jackie Speier (D-San Francisco) and State
Assembly member Greg Aghazarian (R-Stockton) and attended by more than 20
members of the State Legislature as well as members of Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger’s staff. Following the reception, the spiritual leader met
with Governor Schwarzenegger.
♦ In Yerevan, Country Director for Armenia and Karabakh Arpi Vartanian last
Saturday spoke at a conference, entitled “Youth: Reality and Prospects”.
Vartanian discussed how adults can encourage youngsters to become better
prepared for the future.
Calendar of Events
6/26: “Beast on the Moon”; New York City
6/29-7/11: Young Leadership Group Mission to Armenia
7/10: Great Lakes Regional Annual Picnic; Farmington Hills, MI
10/19-11/1: Annual Mission to Armenia & NKR
************************************************** ***************
A WEEKLY NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
1140 19th Street, N.W., Suite 600, Washington, D.C. 20036 (202) 393-3434 FAX
(202) 638-4904
E-Mail: [email protected] WEB http://www.armenianassembly.org
************************************************** ***************