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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Reps. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), co-chairmen of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues; Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA), lead sponsors of the Armenian Genocide Resolution; and Anna Eshoo (D-CA), a co-sponsor of the resolution and the only Armenian-American Member of Congress, announced today that 219 Members of the House of Representatives have added their name as co-signers in support of the Armenian Genocide Recognition Resolution.
The lawmakers noted that by passing the 218 co-sponsorship mark, the legislation now has the support of a majority of the 435 Members of the House, which makes it possible to pass the bill on the House floor.
"I am proud and extremely heartened that a majority of my colleagues in the House now support this vital resolution," Pallone said. "This body's overwhelming support for recognizing the Armenian Genocide sends a strong message that the U.S. government will not tolerate genocide. It is time to properly recognize this atrocity as the first genocide of the 20th century."
“In gaining 219 cosponsors, we have demonstrated that a majority of the House strongly supports recognizing the facts of the Armenian Genocide,” said Schiff. “While there are still survivors left, we feel a great sense of urgency in calling attention to the attempted murder of an entire people. Our failure to acknowledge these dark chapters of history prevents us from taking more effective action against ongoing genocides, like Darfur.”
"For the first time, the Armenian Genocide Resolution has received majority support from the House," Knollenberg said. "The US recognition of the Armenian Genocide is a vital step in helping prevent other crimes against humanity. With the continued support of the Armenian American community, this resolution is making its way towards official recognition."
“The Armenian community has worked tirelessly to raise awareness throughout Congress of the Armenian genocide that took place in the early part of last century,” said Radanovich. “It is encouraging to see that a majority of my colleagues want official recognition of the genocide and further evidence that it deserves consideration on the House floor.”
“It is a major milestone to have reached a majority of the House of Representatives firmly behind the resolution to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide,” said Eshoo. “I will continue to do everything I can to see that this long-overdue legislation comes to the floor of the House for a vote and that we will prevail.”
The Armenian Genocide Resolution, which was introduced in Congress last January, calls on the President and the U.S. Government to properly recognize the atrocities that occurred in Armenia beginning in 1915, which resulted in 1.5 million deaths and countless victims of torture, as genocide.
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