September 20, 2005 - 08:40 AMT
RADANOVICH HAILS US CONGRESS PASSING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION
Congressman George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) today praised the House International Relations Committee for passing a resolution he sponsored reaffirming the United States' record on the Armenian Genocide. The resolution was approved by a vote of 40-7. "The U.S. National Archives is replete with thousands of pages documenting the premeditated extermination of the Armenian people," Congressman Radanovich said. "As the Armenia Genocide was being committed, the United States launched an unprecedented diplomatic, political, and humanitarian struggle to end the carnage and protect the survivors," he said. "I appreciate the bipartisan support for this resolution, which properly acknowledges the Armenian Genocide, reaffirms the proud and groundbreaking chapter in U.S. history to halt the Genocide, and renews our commitment to preventing other occurrences of man's inhumanity to man." Congressman Radanovich introduced the legislation, House Resolution 316, with Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). House Resolution 316 has the support of 140 cosponsors. "On behalf of the Armenian Assembly of America and the pan-Armenian community, we commend Congressman Radanovich," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director, Armenian National Committee of America. "Congressman Radanovich has been a tremendously powerful voice for Armenian Genocide reaffirmation for over 10 years," he emphasized. As Hamparian stated, "We look forward to building on the Committee's action and to working with all members of Congress to secure a full floor vote on Armenian Genocide legislation at the earliest opportunity."