April 13, 2011 - 11:28 AMT
Armenian Assembly of America urges Congressmen to attend Genocide Commemoration event

In the run-up to the April 13th Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Commemoration, Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny continued the Assembly's outreach efforts on Capitol Hill.

"I appreciate the Armenian Assembly's leadership and the community's continued activism and the important policy positions that are being articulated," stated Representative Jackie Speier (D-CA). "Like so many of my colleagues, I look forward to the April 13 Armenian Genocide commemoration taking place under the auspices of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. Together, we will continue to advance the cause of genocide affirmation and prevention, and thereby defeat denial," Speier added.

In the context of the ongoing budget battles in Congress, Ardouny also emphasized the importance of robust assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh in his conversations with Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), a long-time friend and cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide resolution, and Congresswoman Speier.

Jackie Speier, who represents the 12th District of California, serves on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and the House Homeland Security Committee. Rep. Speier staunchly supported H.Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide resolution last Congress.

"We strongly urge Members of Congress and their staff to attend this year's Armenian Genocide Commemoration this week on Capitol Hill," stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "The Armenian Assembly will continue to press forward on all fronts to advance key priorities," added Ardouny.