BY ARAM SUREN HAMPARIAN
Here are some of the recent Capitol Hill changes that will likely impact Turkey’s ability to block Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide:
— Congressman Robert Wexler, the Chairman of the Turkish Caucus and a leading Armenian Genocide denier, has retired from Congress.
— Congressman John Murtha, who led attacks against the 2007 Armenian Genocide Resolution, has fallen ill in recent days. The Washington Post’s political blog reports that his political future may be in doubt.
— Congressman Dan Burton, the most vocal Armenian Genocide denier in the U.S. House, is facing a powerful primary challenge from Dr. John McGoff.
— Congresswoman Jean Schmidt, the number #1 recipient of funds from Armenian Genocide deniers, is set to face David Krikorian, a talented public servant and proud Armenian American, in this November’s general election.
— Congresswoman Jane Harman, who, while she was a cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in 2007 secretly sought to torpedo the adoption of this human rights measure, is facing a solid primary challenge from Marcy Winograd.
— Congressmen John Tanner and Marion Berry (both have received F- ratings from the ANCA) are both retiring from Congress.
We must have a long term plan. Instead of supporting odars to get elected, we should encourage our youth to get involved in politics and prepare them to become future Congressmen/Congresswomen and U.S. Senators. This is the only way we can force Washington to support the Armenian Cause. We should stop begging and asking odars to support us. We should have enough Armenians in Congress and only then we can DEMAND JUSTICE!
John K, very well said. We should have ANC, AAA and other political organizations present in every Armenian school as to encourage students from the very beginning to be political as much as possible and most important to encourage them to become a part of the American government. Soon as we start this process within 10 years time or less we would triple the number of Americans with Armenian decent in government from what we currently have.
From the very begging we have to be political and education fanatics and treat it as important as our religion. If we can have these, we can have everything.
Vahan H, of course it is evident to have Armenians represented in Congress… perhaps you have heard of the ANCA GATEWAY PROGRAM which has been proceeding with this effort now for several years – Getzeh ANCA. Manooshag
Then Support Danny Tarkanian for the US Senate – Nevada
J0hn and Vahan – You may be interested in reading about our work in this area. – Aram
http://www.asbarez.com/2009/07/30/gateway-to-power-the-anca-capital-gateway-program/
Very well said, John and Vahan. We now have our second country since the independent of Armenia, were as before- while the world politics had blinkers, it was understandable for us to concentrate only on our azkayin affairs and establish our High Tadh.
Now, ANCA as our ideal vehicle to do just that. Also an education fanatic Armenia is well positioned amongst backwards neighbours to educate and democratise them.
Aram,God Bless you,we are in support of you.
I couldn’t agree more with the two comments before me………and to add to what they are saying, Armenian Americans who have money to spare should start investing their money in supporting candidates of Armenian descent to help them win races because at the end of the day, most of the political races these days boil down to who can raise the most cash.
Exactly what both John said and Vahan reiterated; it’s what I have been saying for a few years now. Most of our youth should start to be very well educated and to start getting involved in politics and high ranked politics as well. Both in US Congress and the Senate.
To partially echo John K. & Vahan H….let us do both…and we have done both. The impressive work of the ANC…over the years, cannot be discounted. It was not an accident that the ANC got a majority of the Members of Congress to co-sponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution in October 2007…and then have it the Resolution pass in Tom Lantos’ committee by a 27 to 21 vote. Those were odars voting “yes” and I was gratified & appreciative to see it.
As far as getting more Armenian-Americans to run (and win) for elective office…yes! Let’s do it and we have been doing it. At the local & state levels, Armenian-Americans have impressive numbers, compared to, let’s say, 30 years ago. But let’s increase those numbers and set goals for the U.S. Senate & House.
For starters, we have two top-notch candidates (from different political parties) seeking a House and Senate seat, respectively: David Krikorian and Danny Tarkanian. How sweet it would be to see these two guys sworn into office in January 2011.
Not only in Congress, in the diplomatic corps,domestic and foreign. Let not our destiny be ruled by self-serving diplomats,who are protecting i.e. Israel from her aggressors.Clean house, new Armenian blood is needed,to protect Armenia and rest of the world.