Decision by Senator Reid Comes in the Wake of Senate Week in the ANCA “Countdown to Erdogan” Campaign
WASHINGTON–Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has informed the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) that he will once again support legislation calling for U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
“We want to offer our appreciation to Majority Leader Reid for joining with his colleagues in supporting this legislative effort to put America on the right side of the Armenian Genocide issue,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We look forward to working with Senator Reid and our other friends in the leadership of the Senate and the Foreign Relations Committee as the Armenian Genocide Resolution moves to a Committee vote and adoption by the full Senate.”
Spearheaded by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV), the Armenian Genocide resolution (S.Res.316) also enjoys the early support of Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
Senator Reid’s cosponsorship comes as Armenian Americans across the country continue to participate in the ANCA “Countdown to Erdogan” campaign – a four-week, grassroots campaign urging President Obama to speak truthfully about the Armenian Genocide when he meets on December 7th with Turkey’s Prime Minister Erdogan. The first week of the campaign focused on Senate action, with thousands sending ANCA WebMails and participating in a national call in day to Senate offices in support of S.Res.316.
On each day until December 7th, the ANCA is organizing a new action – ranging from online advocacy, call-in days, social networking, coalition-building, community outreach, and fieldwork. Information on the campaign is posted at http://www.anca.org/countdown.
Last month, Majority Leader Reid formally shared the reservations of the Silver State’s Armenian community regarding the dangers of the recently signed Turkey-Armenia Protocols with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
In a October 30, 2009 letter to ANCA-Nevada activist Razmig Libarian, the Senate leader reported that he had recently written to Secretary Clinton to pass along the concerns of his state’s citizens of Armenian heritage, and to encourage her to meet directly with the national leadership of the Armenian American community regarding the state of Turkey-Armenia relations.
God bless him.
U.S. Senator Reid is an exceptionally honest and brilliant person. For him, the principles of human rights mean more than the roots for respublika.
jeshmarid@yahoo.com
It’s ridiculous that Barbara Boxer is not an original cosponsor. I hope Armenian Americans in California wake up and send her packing in the next election.
There are many Senators that are in hotly contested races in 2010. On the Democratic side, you have Bennet (Colorado), Dodd (Connecticut), Reid (Nevada), and Specter (Pennsylvania). The ANC should make a full-court effort to have Senators Bennet, Dodd, and Specter on board.
In preparation for activism, I will note that there’s going to be close races with no incumbent in Delaware, Illinois, Kentucky, Missouri, New Hampshire, and Ohio. Activists in those states should educate the candidates from both parties, in anticipation of their potential election.
Millions of Thank’s
GOD BLESS YOU EVER
Hye, we thank Senator Reid for his leadership in recognizing the Armenian Genocide within the halls of the Congress of the United States of America – reflecting the morality of the citizens of our nation. May your endeavors be fruitful and successful… for politically , this Genocide has had many obstacles placed before it… whether from within our government and too, unendlingly, the lies and the denials of the perpetrator, the Turkish leaderships. (Whose lies include that the unarmed victims of the Armenian Genocide shall have resources to commit crimes against the perpetrator, Turks)!
Turkish leaderships since the Genocide (in all these years) shall have tried for the Armenians to give up their efforts for the recognition in the U.S. Congress. Even more, that the Christian Armenian peoples become extinct – thus, a Turkey shall have won – Genocide denied – still.
And yet, is Genocide a ‘political’ issue – or rather – is Genocide a ‘moral’ issue? More. when all the civilized nations on our planet shall come together to end the cycle of Genocides – this leaderhip shall be remembered in history – ending man’s inhumanity to mankind – the murders and more of innocents… Manooshag
It is amazing how giving our leaders are when it is time for their re-eleciton. Too bad Senator Reid wasn’t in a position of power in the past where he could have done this (excuse my sarcasm). It is tiring to have our leaders continue to lie to the Armeninan people in regards to recognizing the Genocide. Don’t you remember Obama and Clinton both promising to recongize the Genocide (how quickly they forget once they are elected). Now that Reid is being challenged by an Armenian, he quickly tries to split the Armenian vote. It is time the Armenian people wake up and realize that certain people who pretened to be our friends are really wolves in sheeps clothing.
If you want to help peace and recognizing the armenian genocide by Turkish Nation please join my page anf say your words in my page.I respect all your pain and your history.
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