InternationalCo-Sponsor the Armenian Genocide resolution
Published: Friday March 20, 2009
This week Rep. Adam Schiff, joined by Reps. George Radanovich, Frank Pallone, Jr., Mark Kirk, and 73 other co-sponsors, introduced House Resolution 252, the Armenian Genocide resolution. The measure, identical to H. Res. 106 in the previous Congress, has been referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
It is now time to make every effort to reach out to members of Congress, urging them to support and co-sponsor the resolution.
There are many reasons to support the resolution. It is a way of honoring the memory of the victims. It is a way of condemning the perpetration of atrocities. It is a way of taking note of the special role played by the United States in saving lives.
We want to emphasize one reason at this time: the resolution is a way for us in the United States to say we are serious about opposing genocide today.
In showing leadership in this matter, the president and Congress would ensure that the message is heard loud and clear: the United States has a track record of opposing Genocide and today the United States takes that legacy seriously.
With the robust support of the Armenian-American community, the resolution has always had strong bipartisan backing. In the recent past, presidents have opposed the adoption of Armenian Genocide resolutions, and as a result, the progress of the resolution has stalled. Such opposition was criticized by Barack Obama when he was a senator. As the Turkish foreign minister has noted, Mr. Obama promised five times that as president he would acknowledge the Genocide. We trust he will do as he promised.
While presidential leadership is important, the resolution likewise needs to see the focused attention of the Armenian-American community to gain congressional support.
We urge readers to call their representatives. If your representative is among the co-sponsors of resolution (see list below), say thank you for your support. If not, call on him or her to become a co-sponsor of the resolution.
This is a time when the president, the vice president, the secretary of state, the Speaker of the House, the majority leader, the chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and most members of Congress know and have acknowledged that Ottoman Turkey perpetrated genocide against the Armenian people in 1915-17. It is a unique opportunity for passage of the Genocide resolution. But nothing is guaranteed - neither early success nor further delay.
It is up to us, Armenian-Americans, to reach out with energy and resolve to bring about the successful passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution. Let us act now.
The following members of the House of Representatives are co-sponsors of H.Res. 252. Please thank them.
Neil Abercrombie (D.-Hawaii) (202) 225-2726
Gary Ackerman (D.-N.Y.) (202) 225-2601
Joe Baca (D.-Calif.) (202) 225-6161
J. Gresham Barrett (R.-S.C.) (202) 225-5301
Howard L. Berman (D.-Calif.) (202) 225-4695
Gus M. Bilirakis (R.-Fla.) (202) 225-5755
Ken Calvert (R.-Calif.) (202) 225-1986
Eric Cantor (R.-Va.) (202) 225-2815
Lois Capps (D.-Calif.) (202) 225-3601
Michael E. Capuano (D.-Mass.) (202) 225-5111
Dennis A. Cardoza (D.-Calif.) (202) 225-6131
John Conyers, Jr. (D.-Mich.) (202) 225-5126
Jim Costa (D.-Calif.) (202) 225-3341
Joseph Crowley (D.-N.Y.) (202) 225-3965
Danny K. Davis (D.-Ill.) (202) 225-5006
Rosa L. DeLauro (D.-Conn.) (202) 225-3661
David Dreier (R.-Calif.) (202) 225-2305
Anna G. Eshoo (D.-Calif.) (202) 225-8104
Chaka Fattah (D.-Pa.) (202) 225-4001
Barney Frank (D.-Mass.) (202) 225-5931
Scott Garrett (R.-N.J.) (202) 225-4465
Charles A. Gonzalez (D.-Tex.) (202) 225-3236
Raul M. Grijalva (D.-Ariz.) (202) 225-2435
James A. Himes (D.-Conn.) (202) 225-5541
Mazie K. Hirono (D.-Hawaii) (202) 225-4906
Michael M. Honda (D.-Calif.) (202) 225-2631
Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. (D.-Ill.) (202) 225-0773
Patrick J. Kennedy (D.-R.I.) (202) 225-4911
Mark Steven Kirk (R.-Ill.) (202) 225-4835
Leonard Lance (R.-N.J.) (202) 225-5361
James R. Langevin (D.-R.I.) (202) 225-2735
Sander M. Levin (D.-Mich.) (202) 225-4961
Daniel Lipinski (D.-Ill.) (202) 225-5701
Frank A. LoBiondo (R.-N.J.) (202) 225-6572
Daniel E. Lungren (R.-Calif.) (202) 225-5716
Carolyn B. Maloney (D.-N.Y.) (202) 225-7944
Edward J. Markey (D.-Mass.) (202) 225-2836
Betty McCollum (D.-Minn.) (202) 225-6631
Thaddeus G. McCotter (R.-Mich.) (202) 225-8171
James P. McGovern (D.-Mass.) (202) 225-6101
