Press Room

(4/30/08) IRVING, TEXAS - Armenian American organizations, activists and friends capped off a busy week that included an Armenian Genocide Commemoration event on Capitol Hill, some powerful remarks from prominent federal legislators, several state legislative recognition efforts and many ceremonies throughout the country that remembered the state sponsored systematic massacre of 1.5 million Armenians.

On April 24, several hundred people including over 20 Members of Congress and three genocide survivors, attended a Capitol Hill event held in the House Ways and Means Committee Room. The event was emceed by Rep. Knollenberg and Rep. Pallone and speakers included Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. The keynote address was delivered by Gregory Stanton, the President of the International Association of Genocide Scholars.

In addition to this powerful event on the national level, state legislators and governors in several states including New York, California, Colorado and Rhode Island have recognized April 24th as the Armenian Genocide Day of Remembrance. California Governor Schwarzenegger also declared the entire week, “Days of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide.”

“Given our progress last year in getting H. RES 106 passed in the House Foreign Relations Committee, there seems to be a real expectation of continued momentum on the federal level when it comes to the Armenian Genocide Recognition. This year recognition activists feel they can really make progress while at the same time, the Turkish denial and repression efforts have been bolstered by the addition of powerful new DC lobbyists. I feel that we are really coming to a cross roads where the recognition debate has reached new level of exposure and for the first time in a long time, Armenian Americans feel that we are progressing towards victory,” said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah.

The powerful outpour of support by both elected officials and the community this week is sending a powerful message to the rest of the country. The United states needs to join most of the other civilized nations in the world and finally recognize the events of 1915-1923 for what they were – the state sponsored systematic genocide of the ethnic Armenian people,” added ARMENPAC Co-Chair Edgar Hagopian.