Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) welcomed the California State Assembly Rules Committee’s passage of the resolution affirming the independence of Nagorno Karabakh and urged the Assembly to adopt the resolution.

Rep. Schiff released the following statement after the California State Assembly took the first step to express support for Nagorno-Karabakh's independence by passing Assemblyman Mike Gatto’s bill, AJR 32, in the Assembly Rules committee: “I have long supported a right of self-determination for the people of Nagorno Karabakh and applaud the State Assembly Rules Committee for its passage of a resolution affirming the independence of Nagorno Karabakh. I welcome the expression of support for the right of the people of Artsakh to choose their own destiny, independent from Azeri coercion, and urge the Assembly to pass the resolution without delay.”

The California State Assembly Rules Committee on May 5, cast a historic vote supporting and encouraging Artsakh’s (Nagorno Karabakh) continuing efforts to develop as a free and independent nation, and urging the President and Congress of the United States to support the self-determination and democratic independence of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region.

AJR (Assembly Joint Resolution) 32, introduced by Assemblymember Mike Gatto, was adopted by a vote of 9 yes, 1 no, and 1 member who did not vote and will now move to the full Assembly floor for a vote scheduled for May 8, 2014.