Armenian Assembly of America urges U.S. affirmation of Genocide

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Western Region Director Yeghig Keshishian, at the request of California State Senator Joe Simitian (CA-11), spoke on the California State Senate floor about the importance of U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Keshishian said that the Armenian Genocide is "a historical fact that has been verified by historians, scholars, 43 U.S. states and former U.S. President Ronald Reagan," adding, "Instead of coming to terms with this dark period in Turkey's past, the present leadership under President Gul and Prime Minister Erdogan, has chosen to employ highly paid defense contractors and foreign lobbyists to silence discussion of the genocide on American soil - not only in the halls of Congress but also in academic circles."



California State Senators Elaine Alquist (CA-13), Lou Correa (CA-34), Mark Leno (CA-3) and Carol Liu (CA-21), were also forthright in their support of U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, taking time after Keshishian's remarks to commend the Assembly. "It's tremendously gratifying to know that the state of California understands and acknowledges the legitimate concerns of a half million Armenian-Americans here in the state," said Simitian. "As a member of the California State Senate I have been privileged to raise these issues, including the Armenian Genocide, and I will continue to do so in the coming years," concluded Simitian.



Additionally, California Assembly Joint Resolution (AJR) 14, a resolution designating April 24, 2009, as "California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923", introduced by California Assemblyman Paul Krekorian (CA-43) was also considered. In his public remarks, Krekorian expressed a sense of urgency to pass this resolution, calling upon the President and the U.S. Congress to follow suit. He also spoke out in favor of the truth and "to recommit ourselves to building a society free of bigotry and inhumanity." The bill passed with unanimous bipartisan support, 73-0.



Following passage of the AJR 14, the members of the Armenian-American community in attendance joined Senator Simitian, Assemblyman Krekorian, and other dignitaries from the Armenian community, to hear from Speaker of the California Assembly, Karen Bass, who commended the Armenian-American community for their persistent efforts to draw attention to a subject of importance to all of humanity.