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ANC RI: Activists From "Ocean City" Visit Capitol Hill

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  • ANC RI: Activists From "Ocean City" Visit Capitol Hill

    PRESS RELEASE
    Date: May 2, 2009
    Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island
    7 Armenia St., Providence, RI 02909
    Contact: George Mangalo
    Email: [email protected]

    ACTIVISTS FROM THE "OCEAN STATE" VISIT CAPITOL HILL TO URGE
    ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGISLATION
    --Senator Jack Reed Offers Remarks on Senate Floor

    Washington, DC---Five activists from Rhode Island traveled last week
    to Washington, DC for the "End the Cycle of Genocide" advocacy days
    organized by the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) and
    the Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net), reported the ANC of
    Rhode Island (ANC-RI).

    "It is our duty as victims of genocide to meet and urge lawmakers
    to take action," commented ANC-RI Chair George Mangalo. "Decisive
    action needs to be taken to ensure the proper recognition of the
    Armenian Genocide as well as ending the genocide in Darfur."

    Over the course of several days, ANC-RI activists met with the
    entire congressional delegation from the Ocean State, including
    Representatives Patrick Kennedy (D-RI-1) and James Langevin (D-RI-
    2), both of whom are cosponsors of the Armenian Genocide
    Resolution, H. Res. 252. The group also met with Senators Sheldon
    Whitehouse (D-RI) and Jack Reed (D-RI). Throughout the meetings,
    the activists stressed the importance of recognition of the
    Armenian Genocide and asked for support to help end the genocide in
    Darfur. The activists also requested that the current aid levels
    to Armenia and Karabagh be increased and end to military aid to
    Azerbaijan. On all these issues, the Rhode Island activists
    received positive feedback from their Members of Congress.

    On April 24th, Sen. Jack Reed, an active supporter of human rights
    issues, made a statement on the Senate floor in recognition of the
    Armenian Genocide:

    "Mr. President, today I join with my colleagues, my fellow Rhode
    Islanders, and the Armenian-American community to observe the 94th
    anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

    Each year, on April 24, it is fitting that we pause to remember and
    reflect on one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century, the
    systematic killing of Armenians. From 1915 through the end of
    1923, nearly 1 1/2 million Armenians were killed and over half a
    million survivors were exiled.

    The Armenian Genocide demonstrated the evils humans are capable of,
    and unfortunately, it was only the first of several 20th century
    tragedies.

    As we reflect and recall this tragic time, let us call for our own
    country to recognize the Armenian genocide, just as my own State of
    Rhode Island has done, along with many other States and
    governments.

    'Menk panav chenk mornar-'--We will never forget."

    On May 3, twenty activists will be attending Senator Reed's Spring
    Breakfast in Rhode Island as a way of thanking the senator for all
    his support of issues of concern to the Armenian American
    community.

    The Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) is part of
    the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots
    political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
    offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and
    affiliated organizations around the world, the ANC-RI actively
    advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
    range of issues.

    ####

    Photo Caption: Left to Right: ANC activists Anait Grigoryan, Greg Arzoomanian,
    Melkon Megerdichian, Senator Jack Reed, Steve Mesrobian, Tigran
    Mikaelian, Stephanie Mesrobian, and Bethany Creel of GI-Net
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