September 29, 2009 - 14:00 AMT
Armenian Americans call for Foreign Affairs Committee vote on Genocide resolution
More than 10,000 Armenian Americans from throughout California, who gathered in Glendale for a grassroots rally, called upon U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman and longstanding friend of the Armenian American community Howard Berman to immediately schedule a vote of his panel on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.252, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The grassroots resolution, prepared by the organizations serving on the rally's host committee, represents the broad range of grassroots constituencies and Armenian American civic groups active in California. It was read in full before the capacity crowd in Pelanconi Park and adopted by a unanimous roar of approval from those in attendance. A second resolution was also adopted that called on the Armenian government to refuse to approve a set of highly controversial protocols that represent a surrender of Armenian rights, security, and dignity.

The Berman resolution also encourages "all the members of the powerful California Congressional delegation, most notably Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Chairman Berman, and the lead authors of this legislation, Adam Schiff and George Radanovich, to ensure that this
genocide-prevention measure is adopted by the full U.S. House of Representatives. Nearly the entire California delegation, the largest and clearly the most influential in the House, is on record in support of Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide.