The bipartisan leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues called upon President Obama to renew America's commitment to genocide-prevention by honoring his campaign pledge to properly condemn and commemorate the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

"We want to thank Congressmen Royce and Pallone for their leadership on behalf of all the members of the Armenian Caucus in encouraging President Obama to honor his pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "At this mid-point in the President's term, we see, sadly, that he has not only failed to keep this promise, but also opposed the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution and pressured Armenia into the Ankara-driven Turkey-Armenia Protocols."

In a letter sent to the White House, Representatives Pallone and Royce explained that: "The United States must not allow these atrocities to pass without recognition and condemnation. As U.S. efforts to aid victims of genocide continue, it is imperative that we pay tribute to the memory of others who have suffered and never forget the past. By commemorating the Armenian Genocide, we renew our commitment to prevent future crimes against humanity."

Last week, at the Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance, Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) issued similar calls on President Obama to honor his Genocide pledge. "I expect my President, whom I have supported, to finally come through and stand up for what is right – stand up for what he believed as U.S. Senator, stand up as U.S. President today to say there was an Armenian Genocide, we recognize it, and by recognizing it we honor those who lost their lives and we also put it to the test of history to remember that it should never be repeated again," stated Sen. Menendez. Quoting from his April 13th letter to the President, Rep. Schiff called the Turkey-Armenia Protocols a "gambit by Ankara to prevent the Administration from using the word 'genocide,' and to forestall consideration of a genocide resolution by the Congress." Rep. Schiff went on to explain, "Turkey's professed desire for reconciliation with Armenia was illusory. Now that the truth has been revealed, I ask you to return to the clarity you so forcefully expressed in 2008."