ANCA: Record Numbers Set to Watch WebCast of Genocide Vote

[Hovik]

Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: [email protected]
Internet: www.anca.org

PRESS RELEASE
September 13, 2005
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918


RECORD NUMBER OF ARMENIANS SET TO
WATCH WEBCAST OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE VOTE

-- Armenians from across United States and around the World
Tracking Progress of Legislation on the Internet

WASHINGTON, DC - Thousands of Armenians from the United States and
throughout the world are expected to watch the live internet
Webcast this Thursday, September 15th (starting at 10:30am EST) of
a key Congressional panel's consideration of Armenian Genocide
legislation, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA).

For the first time in nearly five years, the influential U.S. House
International Relations Committee will discuss and vote upon
legislation on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.316 and H.Con.Res.195).
In October of 2000, the panel voted 24 to 11 to approve the
Armenian Genocide Resolution, but the measure was eventually
withdrawn from consideration only minutes before it was to go
before the full House of Representatives.

To watch the live Webcast, visit the website of the U.S. House
International Relations Committee and click on "Live webcast of
meeting."

Thursday, September 15th - 10:30 am

http://wwwc.house.gov/international_relations

"We have been tremendously encouraged by the growing number of
Armenians who are taking advantage of webcast technology to watch -
in real time - the Committee's consideration of legislation on the
Armenian Genocide," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the
ANCA. "We join with Armenians throughout the United States in
looking forward to this opportunity to watch the legislative
process in action."

The Committee meeting will be held at 10:30 am in room 2172 of the
Rayburn House Office Building, on Capitol Hill. Among the other
issues which are set to be considered by the panel during its
September 15th meeting are the following:

* H. Con. Res. 238: Honoring the victims of the Cambodian
Genocide that took place from April 1975 to January 1979.

* H. Res. 38: Expressing support for the accession of Israel to
the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

* H. Res. 388: Regarding the July, 2005, measures of extreme
repression on the part of the Cuban Government against members of
Cuba's pro-democracy movement.

* H. Res. 409: Condemning the Government of Zimbabwe's "Operation
Murambatsvina"

* H. Con. Res. 237, Welcoming President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan
to the U.S. on September 20, 2005.

####

[Hovik]

Assembly Aramac Activists Urge Lawmakers To Support Armenian Issues

Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.armenianassembly.org

PRESS RELEASE
September 13, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]

ASSEMBLY ARAMAC ACTIVISTS URGE LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT ARMENIAN ISSUES

Washington, DC - In a push to increase House and Senate support for
Armenian issues, Assembly grassroots activists met with several
lawmakers in their home districts during the month-long congressional
summer recess.

Assembly Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue and Western Office
Director Lena Kaimian led community meetings in California, Colorado,
Illinois, Minnesota and New York to encourage legislators there to
support the pan-Armenian genocide resolution, as well as legislation
that would bar U.S. funding for a railroad connecting Turkey, Georgia
and Azerbaijan.

Beginning in California on August 4, activists met with Armenian
Caucus Member Rep. Joseph Baca (D-CA). The Assembly delegation briefed
Baca on current legislation and encouraged his future involvement on
community issues. As a result of the meeting, Baca agreed to
cosponsor both the Armenian Genocide resolution and the rail measure.

The following week, Kaimian had an hour-long meeting with
newly-elected Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) to urge him to join the Caucus
while Hiteshue and activists met with Armenian Caucus Member
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and her staff. The group thanked the
Congresswoman for backing the Armenian Genocide resolution,
H. Res. 316, which would reaffirm the U.S. record on the crime against
humanity.

"The Congresswoman once again pledged her support for reaffirmation of
the Armenian Genocide and her desire to continue strengthening ties
between the U.S. and Armenia," said ARAMAC State Chair for Minnesota
Lou Ann Matossian who participated in the meeting. "Congresswoman
McCollum has been a great friend of the Armenian community in our
state."

Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian also led a community
meeting with Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), who agreed to cosponsor
the Armenian Genocide resolution at the group's request.

Assembly activists also met with Representatives Susan Davis (D-CA)
and Gary Miller (R-CA), as well as staff members from the offices of:
Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Barack Obama (D-IL) and
Representatives Bob Beauprez (R-CO), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Rahm Emanuel
(D-IL), Jim Ramstad (R-MN), John Salazar (D-CO), Thomas Tancredo
(R-CO) and Mark Udall (D-CO). Armenians of Colorado joined the
Assembly delegation for meetings in their state.

In conjunction with the district meetings, ARAMAC held a Midwest
Regional Issue Briefing and Advocacy Workshop on August 20 at
St. Sahag Armenian Church in St. Paul, MN. Board of Directors Vice
Chair Lisa Esayian shared with participants her impressions of Armenia
from her recent trip and discussed the importance of grassroots
advocacy. Hiteshue also led a workshop on increasing the Assembly's
outreach efforts in the Midwest. Kansas State Chair Alex Kotoyantz,
along with ARAMAC State Chair for Minnesota Lou Ann Matossian and Vice
Chair Aram Desteian, were among the participants.

On August 23, ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam-Brown, and
her husband Stanley, hosted a reception for community activists at
their Boulder, CO home. The event included a legislative update from
Kaimian.

The Armenian Assembly of America 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#2005-088

Photographs available on the Assembly's Web site at the following
links:

http://www.aaainc.org/images/press/2005-088/2005-088-1.JPG

CAPTION: L to R: ARAMAC State Chair for Minnesota Lou Ann Matossian,
Assembly Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue, Assembly Associate
Trustee Kathy Cafesjian Baradaran, Representative Betty McCollum
(D-MN) and ARAMAC State Vice Chair for Minnesota Aram Desteian during
their meeting in St. Paul, MN on August 17.

http://www.aaainc.org/images/press/2005-088/2005-088-2.jpg

CAPTION: L to R: Dr. Sarkis Broussalian, Western Office Director Lena
Kaimian, Vasken Imasdounian, Diane Cabraloff, Congressman Gary Miller
(R-CA), Rita Topalian, Vahe Charkhutian, Anoush Cabraloff and Assembly
Western Office Deputy Director Nicole Shahenian during their meeting
on August 8.

http://www.aaainc.org/images/press/2005-088/2005-088-3.jpg

CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, Betty
Ohanessian, ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam-Brown,
former Assembly intern Kim Christianian and Stanley Brown during a
community reception hosted by the Browns.

http://www.aaainc.org/images/press/2005-088/2005-088-4.JPG

CAPTION: L to R: Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian,
Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue, Assembly Supporting Affiliate
Vartan Paylan, Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Former Assembly Intern
Arpi Paylan and Haiganoush Paylan.

[Tongue]

Watch Webcast Of Armenian Genocide Vote!

Yerevan, September 14, 2005, Yerkir. Thousands of Armenians from the United States and throughout the world are expected to watch the live internet Webcast this Thursday, September 15th of a key Congressional panel's consideration of Armenian Genocide legislation, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
For the first time in nearly five years, the influential U.S. House International Relations Committee will discuss and vote upon legislation on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.316 and H.Con.Res.195). In October of 2000, the panel voted 24 to 11 to approve the Armenian Genocide Resolution, but the measure was eventually withdrawn from consideration only minutes before it was to go before the full House of Representatives.

To watch the live Webcast, visit the website of the U.S. House International Relations Committee and click on "Live webcast of meeting."

Thursday, September 15th - 10:30 am http://wwwc.house.gov/international_relations.

[Hovik]

Oh my gosh, the "so-called" Rep. Burton is a disgusting piece of fecal matter... his comments were the most rediculous fallacy I have ever witnessed. His retardation aside, I was disappointed that NOBODY made the point that Germany, Turkey's accomplice in the AG has ADMITTED it's and thus, TURKEY'S GUILT! How can that be overlooked while in committee debate?

[Tongue]

I KNOW!!! Can you believe that!!! Who cares if Turkey helped US with Afghanistan... is that what the vote is gonna be on? OMG I so wish I was there! I couldn't read his name... so it's Burton!

[Tongue]

So what do you think Hov, will it pass?

[Hovik]

As far as I know, the process is the same every year. Every year it starts at the House foreign relations comittee, when it passes (and it usually does) it goes to the House, to the Senate and on to the President where it will eventually pass. I am sure it'll pass at the comittee level.

[Hovik]

I can't believe these idiots Burton, Wexler, and Smith... they disgust me!

[Tongue]

It passed.

So what's gonna happen next?

[imported_anoush]

It passed.

So what's gonna happen next?

Last time it had to go through several committees before it was ready for a vote on the floor. My connection frequently cut off or broke up, what was the amendment thing about? It didn't ruin the whole resolution, did it?