Resolution Reaffirms US Record on the Armenian genocide
WASHINGTON–DC (ANCA)–A bipartisan group of over 50 US Representatives joined on Tuesday with lead sponsors Adam Schiff (D-CA)–George Radanovich (R-CA)–and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) in introducing the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the House of Representatives.
"We join with Armenian Americans across the United States in welcoming the introduction today of the Armenian Genocide Resolution by Congressmen Radanovich–Schiff–Knollenberg–and Pallone," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We look forward to working with our Congressional friends–community partners–and the growing genocide-prevention coalition to build bipartisan support for this measure and to help secure its timely adoption by the House of Representatives."
The resolution–which will be referred to the House International Relations Committee for consideration–enjoys the support of the ANCA–Armenian Assembly–and the entire Armenian American community.
The Radanovich-Schiff-Knollenberg-Pallone Resolution calls on the President "to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights–ethnic cleansing–and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide." The resolution includes thirty detailed findings from past US hearings–resolutions and Presidential statemen’s on the Armenian genocide from 1916 through the present–as well as references to statemen’s by international bodies and organizations.
After introduction of the measure–Rep. Radanovich noted–"By properly acknowledging the Armenian Genocide–we recognize this atrocity and renew our commitment to prevent other occurrences of man’s inhumanity to man. I am proud to have been a leader in this community for the past decade as one voice for a people who were silenced for too long."
Members of Congress joining Representatives Schiff–Radanovich–Knollenberg–and Pallone as original cosponsors of the resolution are: Rob Andrews (D-NJ)–Charles Bass (R-NH)–Howard Berman (D-CA)–Michael Bilirakis (R-FL)–Jeb Bradley (R-NH)–Dennis Cardoza (D-CA)–John Conyers (D-MI)–Jim Costa (D-CA)–Jerry Costello (D-IL)–Joseph Crowley (D-NY)–David Dreier (R-CA)–Anna Eshoo (D-CA)–Bob Filner (D-CA) –Mark Foley (R-FL)–Barney Frank (D-MA)–Scott Garrett (R-NJ)–Raul Grijalva (D-AZ)–Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)–Steve Israel (D-NY)–Darrell Issa (R-CA)–Patrick Kennedy (D-RI)–Mark Kirk (R-IL)–James Langevin (D-RI)–Sander Levin (D-MI)–Carolyn Maloney (D-NY)–Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)–Jim McDermott (D-WA)–James McGovern (D-MA)–Buck McKeon (R-CA)–Michael McNulty (D-NY)–Marty Meehan (D-MA)–Robert Menendez (D-NJ)–Candice Miller (R-MI)–Grace Napolitano (D-CA)–Devin Nunes (R-CA)–Mike Rogers (R-MI)–Steve Rothman (D-NJ)–Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA)–Ed Royce (R-CA)–Jim Saxton (R-NJ)–Joe Schwarz (R-MI)–E. Clay Shaw (R-FL)–Brad Sherman (D-CA)–John Shimkus (R-IL)–Chris Smith (R-NJ)–Mark Souder (R-IN)–John Sweeney (R-NY)–Peter Visclosky (D-IN)–Diane Watson (D-CA)–and Anthony Weiner (D-NY).
The text of the resolution is similar to one introduced in 1999–during the 106th Congress–again led by Rep. Radanovich–spearheaded along with then House Democratic Whip David Bonior (D-MI) and the Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs. That bill secured the support of over 140 cosponsors and–following extensive hearings–was overwhelmingly adopted by the House International Relations Committee by a vote of 24 to 11–and scheduled for a floor vote.
Despite the clear bipartisan support for the measure–it was withdrawn from the House calendar in October of 2000 by the Speaker of the House–under heavy pressure from President Clinton.