  Speaker Pelosi confirms commitment to Armenian Genocide recognitionApril 23, 2009 - 22:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Dozens of Democratic and Republican Members of Congress joined this evening with over five hundred Armenian Americans from across the United States in Capitol Hill's historicCannon Caucus Room in a solemn remembrance devoted to U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), in their remarks to the standing-room only audience, both spoke forcefully of their personal commitment to proper U.S. condemnation and commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. "It is long past the time for the United States to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide," noted Speaker Pelosi in her remarks. She went on to spotlight the importance of grassroots efforts against Turkey's multi-million dollar campaign of genocide denial. "How far we can go with the resolution [H.Res.252] this year depends on the outreach that each and everyone of us in this room can do to win on the floor of the House. We can do any amount of inside maneuvering in the Congress and Washington, but what is important is the outside mobilization to bring to bear the voices of people across America." The Congressional Armenian Genocide observance was organized by the Congressional Armenian Caucus, with Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL) serving as Masters of Ceremony. Opening prayers were offered by his Eminence Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States as well as Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, Legate of the Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church of Eastern United States. The evening included powerful remarks about the consequences of genocide by guest speaker Dr. Henry Theriault of Worcester State University. Also offering remarks were Armenian Ambassador Tatul Markarian and Permanent Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan.   Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot".   Partner news |  Related sections Topics Latest news Ucom Celebrates Telecommunication Day  May 17 commemorates the founding of the International Telecommunication Union on May 17, 1865.Armenian, Azerbaijani heads of parliament meet in Switzerland President of the Armenian parliament Alen Simonyan met with the Speaker of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis Sahiba Gafarova.Border residents overnight on highway to protest Armenia’s Residents of Kirants continue to express outrage over the government’s decision to cede land to Azerbaijan.Get Started: An educational platform for young startuppers The Get Started program which operates in two phases is an important platform for young startuppers. |
