05/03/2010 12:34
Armenian Diaspora of US: The Truth Prevailed Today
Armenian organisations of the United States, Armenian Assembly of America and Armenian National Committee of America, have welcomed a passage of the resolution, calling the mass killings, deportations and executions of Armenians in 1915 in Turkey as Genocide.
By a vote of 23 to 22 the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee approved Resolution 252 on Thursday, March 4.
“The committee passed the motion despite a well-funded lobbying effort by the Turkish government supported by major defense corporations doing business with Turkey,” said on the web-site of the Armenian Assembly of America.
"The truth prevailed today, and the cause of genocide affirmation and prevention has been furthered. The United States record on the Armenian Genocide is clear, voluminous, and unambiguous, a matter recognized by President Ronald Reagan and by President Obama in a number of campaign statements. We commend the leadership of Chairman Howard Berman and all those who supported the bill's passage, which was introduced by Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL)," stated Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
"I also want to acknowledge Representatives Brad Sherman, Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Ed Royce for the pivotal role they played throughout this process," added Ardouny. "The pan-Armenian community letter sent a message to Congress that Armenian-Americans speak with one voice when they call on their legislators to affirm the historic U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide and to honor the memory of the American diplomats and humanitarians that came to the rescue of the survivors."
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501 tax-exempt membership organization.