Bipartisan Genocide-Prevention Measure Seeks to Apply Lessons of Armenian Genocide in Preventing Future Crimes Against Humanity
WASHINGTON—Senators Bob Menendez, fresh off blocking the flawed nomination of Matt Bryza to a full term as Ambassador to Azerbaijan, and Mark Kirk, who came to the Senate last year after serving as Co-Chairman of the Armenian Caucus in the U.S. House, are set to introduce the Armenian Genocide Resolution, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The two Senators are currently collecting original cosponsors for the genocide-prevention measure, which will, upon introduction, be referred to the Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by John Kerry (D-Mass.). The resolution is being introduced during a closely contested election year, amid increasingly strained relations between Turkey and many of its former friends on Capitol Hill.
Armenian Americans and anti-genocide activists are encouraged to contact their Senators to become original cosponsors of this legislation by sending a free ANCA WebMail at:
http://www.anca.org/action_alerts/action_disp.php?aaid=61096916
“We extend our thanks to Senators Menendez and Kirk for their leadership in putting America on the right side of this human rights issue,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We look forward to supporting their efforts to ensure that our leaders – in the White House and Congress – reject Turkey’s gag-rule on American recognition of the Armenian Genocide. No one – ally or adversary – deserves a veto on U.S. human rights policy.”
Parallel to this effort, Reps. Robert Dold (R-Ill.) and Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) have offered a nearly identical measure, S.Res.304, in the U.S. House, and Senators Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), and Mark Kirk have introduced S.Res.392, the Senate version of a religious freedom measure that was adopted last December, in the U.S. House calling upon Turkey to return stolen Christian church properties to their rightful owners.
our hopes are with you.
if would be nice, if appropriate, to present these forces that are pro genocide a little souvenir of armenia. we have limited edition prints of the motherland, framed, they would make an excellent souvenir and a constant reminder.
the ex-ambassador to armenia was presented with one of these prints of armenia.
gerard
I certainly wish them well and success. However, being pragmatic and realistic, unless the ANCA is able to present its case and solid arguments, to convince a big majority of the members in the ” Foreign Relations Committes ” , it is probable and conceivable that the resolution passes in the Committee, but is never brought up in the Senate floor.
H. Res 252 in the House Committee of Foreign affairs, had 23 pro votes, and disappointingly 22 con votes. The resolution passed , but only with one vote. As it did not get a big majority of the pro votes, the House leadership under tremendous pressure form the White House ( and the Turkish lobby) never brought the resolution to the floor.
Each member of the ” Foreugn Relations Commitee” should be targeted and approached. And as we are fast approaching elections, the power of the Armenian-American vote, especially in States where we can have an influence should be demonstrated and pressure exerted.
Senators and Respresentatives only really care about being reelected. They need money and votes; let’s make our vote count. It is quite simple; all ANCA has to do, is advise the members of the Committee that any member that votes con will not get a single Armrenian-American vote.
Vart Adjemian
Who cares if its passes or doesn’t. Its nice to bring it up again in the forefront. Everyone involved needs to realize that this will never go away. Thank you to the Congressman and Senators involved.