4 U.S. states join CA in supporting Armenian Genocide insurance lawDecember 14, 2011 - 14:00 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - In an unprecedented move, California Attorney General Kamala Harris was joined by her counterparts from Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada and Rhode Island, supporting the constitutionality of California’s Armenian Genocide Life Insurance Recovery Act and reaffirming an earlier ruling by a 3-member panel of the same court. A hearing on the matter is scheduled for Wednesday, December 14, Asbarez reported. In 2009, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decided that a law adopted by the California Legislature in 2000 - extending to December 31, 2010 the statute of limitations on insurance claims - was unconstitutional, because it included a reference to the Armenian Genocide. In a 2-1 decision, the court ruled that the State of California had infringed on the foreign affairs power reserved by the U.S. Constitution to the federal government. Two of the three federal judges asserted that the state had contravened the federal government’s policy of not acknowledging the Armenian Genocide. In 2010, one of the three judges reversed his position, and the law returned to force. Now, the 9th Circuit is scheduled to rehear the case “en banc,” meaning the entire court. The matter revolves around the federal government’s “foreign affairs doctrine” which gives it the right to set policy in this field. In the brief imploring the court to uphold the law, the attorneys general argue that “…no treaty, congressional resolution or executive agreement establishes a federal foreign policy that conflicts with or displaces, Section 354.4.” “The Federal government’s inaction in the face of numerous uses of the term ‘Armenian Genocide’ by California and other states belies any significant federal interest in preventing states from using the term. Some 40 other states have statutes and or proclamations that use that term and ‘ the federal government’ has never expressed any opposition to any such recognition,” added the attorneys general. The original legislation was spearheaded by then State Senator Adam Schiff. California Attorney General Kamala Harris has championed this issue and rallied the other attorneys general. Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Surveying works underway in Armenia’s Kirants Surveying works are underway in the Armenian village of Kirants in the northern Tavush province. Armenia calls for prohibiting threats of attacks on nuclear facilities Armenia has raised the need for a treaty prohibiting attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful purposes. Ameriabank's Trade Finance portfolio enriched with four prestigious awards from EBRD and IFC Ameriabank received the awards from international financial institutions in recognition of its trade finance operations. Armenian Economy Minister to make trip to UAE May 20-22 A delegation led by Minister of Economy Gevorg Papoyan will travel to the UAE capital of Abu Dhabi on May 20-22 |