ACA Texas urges Genocide bill passage

March 3, 2010 - 13:49 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Texas branch of the Armenian Council of America along with Armenian American citizens of Texas are strongly urging their Texas Representatives in the Foreign Affairs Committee to co-sponsor and vote for House Resolution 252 in the upcoming March 4 hearing. H.R. 252 calls upon President Obama 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.

“As Armenian Americans in Texas, I believe that it is our duty to contact our representatives in Congress to urge them to vote on this crucial bill,” said Sarkis Ohanian, Chairman of ACA – Texas. “As of today, out of the five Texas Congressional members, Representative McCaul is the only one that has cosponsored the bill. I am hopeful the remaining representatives respond favorably and do the right thing by voting, not only for their constituency, but for mankind and human rights as a whole,” added Ohanian.

The Texas Congressional delegation comprised of Representatives Ted Poe, Ron Paul, Gene Greene, Michael T. McCall and Sheila Jackson Lee makes up the second largest State delegation within the Committee.

House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman has scheduled a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.252) on March 4. Over 137 House Members have cosponsored this measure, spearheaded by Representatives Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone and Mark Kirk. A similar measure in the Senate (S.Res.316) is led by Senators Bob Menendez and John Ensign and currently has 13 cosponsors.

The Armenian Council of America is a grassroots organization dedicated to work with all political leaders, offering Armenian related news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. - Armenia and U.S. - Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.

The Armenian Genocide resolution

The resolution affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide (H.Res.252) was formally introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Adam Schiff (D.-CA), George Radanovich (R.-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D.-NJ), and Mark Kirk (R.-Ill). On March 4, 2010 it was adopted with a 22-21 vote by the House Committee on Foreign Relations. A similar resolution was introduced in the Senate.

Armenian Council of America

The Armenian Council of America(ACA) is a grassroots organization dedicated to work with all political leaders, offering Armenian related news, analysis and resources for policymakers, media, students and activists, advocating issues important to Armenian Americans. The Armenian Council of America aims to strengthen U.S. - Armenia and U.S. - Nagorno Karabakh ties, the development of programs promoting sustainable economic growth and good governance in Armenia, while promoting the values and responsibilities of global citizenship.