179 Congressmen Support House Genocide Resolution (H.R. 106)

STAFF WRITER

"The affirmation of the U.S. Record on the Armenian Genocide resolution" has bipartisan support from 179 Members of the House of Representatives. It calls on 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, and for other purposes."

Section 2 of the Resolution includes 30 findings regarding the Armenian Genocide.

The resolution has the support of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the Armenian Assembly of America (AAA), and US-Armenia Public Affairs Committee (USAPAC).

Original cosponsors of the resolution are Reps. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), George Radanovich (R-CA) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI).

Congressman Adam Schiff, who has led the effort to have the U.S. Government recognize the Armenian Genocide, has introduced a new resolution, which may have a stronger chance of success.

In the past, the Republican leadership has bottled up the matter in Congress, to avoid putting President George Bush on the spot with U.S. ally Turkey.

This year, with Democrats in control of both houses, the likelihood of success is greater.

"The United States has a compelling historical and moral reason to recognize the Armenian Genocide, which cost a million and a half people their lives," said Rep. Schiff. "But we also have a powerful contemporary reason as well-how can we take effective action against the genocide in Darfur if we lack the will to condemn genocide whenever and wherever it occurs? With the new leadership in Congress, I am hopeful we can finally get this resolution passed." The new bill is identical to the Genocide Bill from the last Congress (H. Res. 316), which resoundingly passed the House International Relations Committee, but was not considered for a vote on the House floor.