Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor, U.S. Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL) was joined by fellow House Republican freshmen Jeff Denham (R-CA) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) in calling on their colleagues to cosponsor this key human rights measure, reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

In a letter sent to first-term House Republicans earlier Wednesday, September 21, the Reps. Dold, Denham and Gardner explained, “As new members of the 112th Congress, we were elected here to not only get our country back on track, but to change the status quo. The failure of the United States Government to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide is a shame. It is time for the United States government to officially join with the voices of our constituents and those across the world, to stand against the continual denial of the Armenian Genocide.”

“We would like to thank Representatives Dold, Denham and Gardner for taking the lead and calling on their freshman colleagues to stand up to Turkey’s gag rule on America’s proper affirmation of the Armenian Genocide,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “U.S. complicity in Turkey’s Genocide denial must end once and for all.”

Spearheaded by Representatives Dold and Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.304) has over 80 cosponsors. The legislation calls on the President to properly characterize the murder of 1.5 million Armenians from 1915-1923 as genocide and for U.S. foreign policy to ppropriately reflect the consequences of the failure to realize a just resolution of this crime. As Senator, President Obama had pledged to recognize the Armenian Genocide – a pledge he has yet to fulfill.