Number of Armenian Genocide Resolution cosponsors steadily growing

PanARMENIAN.Net - In a sign of the growing momentum toward the adoption of Congressional legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide, Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and newly elected Representative Laura Richardson (D-CA), this week, added their names as cosponsors of this human rights legislation, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).



"Armenians in Washington, California and around the nation are encouraged to see Senator Murray and Representative Richardson - both first-time supporters of federal legislation commemorating the Armenian Genocide - join the growing Congressional majority in support of the recognition of this crime against humanity," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. "We look forward for Members of Congress - at long last - to have the opportunity to steer America back to the right side of this fundamental issue of justice and basic human rights."



The House version of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.106, was introduced on January 30th by lead author Rep. Adam Schiff, along with Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI).



With Rep. Richardson's support, the legislation now has 226 cosponsors.



A similar resolution in the Senate (S.Res.106), introduced by Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) currently now has 32 cosponsors, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (D-NY). Both resolutions call upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United

States record relating to the Armenian Genocide.



The Armenian Genocide has been officially recognized, through legislation or proclamation, by 40 U.S. states. It is also supported by the Genocide Intervention Network, National Council of Churches, American Values, Jewish groups including the Zionist Organization of America and Americans for Peace Now, as well as by a diverse coalition that includes organizations representing the Ukrainian, Greek, Filipino, Polish, Hungarian, Arab, Bulgarian, Latvian, Romanian, Lithuanian, Slovakian, and other communities.