Affirms that bipartisan majority was ready to pass H.Res.252
WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America commented Tuesday on recent public statements by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD) regarding their decision not to schedule a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.252, during the last session of Congress.
“We value the long-standing friendship of Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer for our community and cause, but, while voicing our appreciation for their past support for the Armenian Genocide Resolution, we want to stress, in response to their recent comments, that we do not share their view that this legislation lacked the support of a bipartisan majority during their service as leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.”
“As U.S. House Speaker and Majority Leader, Representatives Pelosi and Hoyer, had the majority – as reflected in the results of the Member-to-Member whipping effort that they requested – as well as both the authority and the opportunity to pass H.Res.252. Yet they chose not to allow a vote on this human rights measure. Had they demonstrated the political will to bring the Armenian Genocide Resolution to the House floor, over opposition from a Democratic White House and even voices in their own Caucus, it may have proven a difficult vote for some, but, just as surely, it would have been a majority vote for putting America on the right side of this issue,” added Hamparian.
The lead sponsors of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, working with a team of their legislative colleagues, conducted an ongoing and extensive Member-to-Member whipping operation in the months prior to the close of the 111th Congress. Their findings that H.Res.252 enjoyed majority support confirmed feedback from a nationwide Armenian American grassroots contact campaign, the ANCA’s Washington, DC-based legislative outreach, and detailed analysis of past voting records. Less than one percent of all legislation before the U.S. House enjoyed the same level of strong bipartisan co-sponsorship as this resolution, which was publicly supported by the whips of both the Democratic Caucus and the Republican Conference.
Congresswoman Pelosi, who served as Speaker during the 111th Congress and has been a long-time advocate for Armenian Genocide recognition, wrote, in a recent column, that she: “joined supporters of the Armenian Genocide Resolution to try to build the necessary support to pass the resolution on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. At the end of the day, the resolution (H. Res. 252) had 148 co-sponsors and there was serious concern that the resolution did not have the necessary 218 votes needed for passage.”
Congressman Steny Hoyer, who has been a longstanding supporter of Armenian Genocide recognition and served as House Majority Leader during the last session of Congress, offered remarks addressing H.Res.252 at the recent Capitol Hill observance of the Armenian Genocide. In his comments, which he later submitted to the Congressional Record, he noted that: “We share the same goal: seeing the truth of the Armenian Genocide recognized by Congress. I hope to see a bill recognizing the genocide pass, and I wish that had happened in December. Unfortunately, by our count, the votes were not there–and in our opinion, a loss would have been a set-back cheered by genocide deniers. But I applaud the work you to do preserve the memory and the lessons of this historic truth. And I believe the day will come when Congress recognizes that truth, as well. You can count on my vote.”
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Dear Aram
I was going to throw up when I read your remake starting with, “We value the long-standing friendship of Nancy Pelosi and Steny Hoyer for our community and cause …” words. What cause are you talking about? What is more important than Armenian Genocide? When the financial aid for Armenia became Armenian Cause? I know you are a politician, but you should never compromise with Armenian Genocide. NO ARMENIAN GENOCIDE DENIER IS A FRIEND OF AN ARMENIAN. WE DON’T VALUE THEIR FRIENDSHIP, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT OUR FRIENDS!
These are the poeple who converted me as I am now Republican.
Dear Minas, I’m not a defender of Democrats, but don’t you for once believe that Republicans will be more sympathetic towards Armenians, not in a million years. Just to remind you, that it was under George W. Bush and Dick Cheney administration (just after 9-11) where the state department was going to include Armenia as a terrorist nation.
Minas,
– Too, the Democratic candidate (Obama) for president pledged to recognize the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian nation – and didn’t…
– Too, the Republican candidate (McCain) spoke up to say that he was not able to recognize the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian nation…
So, politicians, both, obviously, not interested in ending the cycle of Genocides – both the same zughum – politicians, morally removed from recognizing that the issue before all the civilized world is the elimination of the slaughters, rapes, kidnappings tortures and worse (i.e., nailing horseshoes to the victims feet… Turkish style). Why is the ending of the cycles of Genocides a taboo… that leaders of great nations are unable/incapable of approaching,
Why shall the Genociders, the cursed violators of humans be the victors – not made to pay for their crimes against humanity. Obviously, the victims are the losers!! Genocides have been since the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries since civilized nations have allowed this scourge to exist against all humanity – but then, if Genocides prevail then surely – how civilized are our ‘civilized’ nations who ignore Genocides?
“Always a bridesmaid never a bride.” When will we learn to savage these pols from day 1 and never trust them?
These so called “leaders” are full of male bovine excrement .They talk but no real ballsy action.Come voting time we should remember all those candidates and make them sign papers stating their firm convictions.Before any American Armenian casts a vote for those Washington scoundrels.
The Democrats make me sick for speaking out of both sides of their mouth. Pelosi/Hoyer owed it to their colleagues who worked years building up support for the bill, to bring it up for a vote. Just like George Radanovich got shafted by Speaker Hastert in 2000, Representatives Schiff and Pallone received the same fate from their Caucus ten years later.
Too, your McCain, had said he could not recognize the Turkish Genocide of the Armenians…
Evidently, we are in need of a fine Armenian as the third party candidate… and many who seek
change and do not see it from the Democrats/Republicans may seek the third party candidate!
Frankly, I wanted to see a full House vote regardless of the outcome. We would have had everyone on the record and gotten a very good idea who to trust and who not to trust.
A near-future vote seems so unlikely. Nancy Pelosi had her chance and failed. Another show of disrespect for 1.5 million dead Armenians.
To garner votes the Armenian recognition cause is a safe bet for aspiring political hustlers. It is obvious that Pelosi lacked the sufficient confidence and apropos to push the motion through, thus following in the footsteps of her predecessors
Once again, Armenians were duped by Zionists.
Now delete my comment.
Thank you!
And one of those “influential clowns” was bigot Congressman Steve Cohen who hates Armenians and sent a letter to Pelosi to stop the process. She obeyed her master.
Never believe a Democrat. Or a Republican.
Time for a third party candidate – ONE Armenian, for all those who have had enough of the
Democrats/Republicans misdirecteds. Reminds me of when HarryTruman, (was VP became USA president when President Roosevelt died) and who went to bed thinking he’d lost his own bid for election – even newspapers over night had published and were being sold the next morning that Dewey was the winner. Not so. Truth: Truman won – the citizens of the USA chose him! A fine American with honest American values who led our nation, too, as a fine honest leader of our the USA – historically.
Rep Hoyer: “You can count on my vote.”
A famous Armenian saying: ” even a donkey does not fall in the same hole twice”
Keep on putting your hopes on empty promises. Politicians are not trustworthy partners. if we have the power ourselves then we can do what we want if not its all a pipe dream.
Excellent reply. Quit whinning,nobody cares,turkey looks for the politicos(90%) of them with SOLD SIGNS on their backs,to pay them off. The Jews get into politics.DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY JEWS ARE IN CONGRESS.Very,very simply put THATS THE ANSWER.
In Congress only?? How about Jews in the US State Department – unable to recognize the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian nation! Actually, if the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian nation had been recognized, reparations made (as with Jews/Germany) just imagine… Genocides shall have been eliminated… despots shall have know not to take that route… and all the Genocides that have followed the Turkish Genocide of the Armenian nation SHALL NEVER HAVE BEEN…. GENOCIDES BEEN ENDED!
When are we going to seriously invest in OUR OWN progeny so that our own community members lead and defend our community’s interests within the halls of congress so that we don’t have to rely on the chump efforts of others?
Which one of you on this board have kids interested in foreign affairs and/or defending our righteous cause? Academically or politically it doesn’t matter which one. Are they in school with a mission? Are they performing up to par? Are they maximizing or just coasting? Are you encouraging them to think big? BIG as in President of the USA or President of Armenia. Are you????? Successful alumni need to begin mentorship programs so that the next generation moves UP to help our community move UP.
Are we properly facilitating the partzratzeer ou partzratzoor motto in other words…
I read their statements and vomited. I called this moral prostitution
I will not give these scoundrels (any of them) one more undeserved vote and I don’t want to see their faces on the front pages of my Armenian newspapers either. Invest in our youth not wonky politicians.
They need to pay a political price for their betrayal. Everything else is just talk.
The new “Genocide players” are back in action, almost on time..I wonder if Mme. Pelosi still keep the copy of that news paper, where shows the poster of those elderly Armenian Genocide survivors in her fancy Italian made briefcase, or simply deposit them in her home recycling bin???
This is a little game. Stop tormenting and tantalizing people.
Hye, so establish a third party – one chosen to be the Armenian for the 2012 presidential election…
Many will join us – Democrats and Republican and more….