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Over 60 House Members Urge Hastert To Schedule Genocide Bill Vote

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  • Over 60 House Members Urge Hastert To Schedule Genocide Bill Vote

    Armenian National Committee of America
    888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
    Washington, DC 20006
    Tel: (202) 775-1918
    Fax: (202) 775-5648
    E-mail: [email protected]
    Internet: www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    March 12, 2004
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918

    OVER SIXTY HOUSE MEMBERS URGE SPEAKER HASTERT
    TO SCHEDULE A VOTE ON THE GENOCIDE RESOLUTION

    -- Rep. Radanovich Leads Effort in Support of H.Res.193

    WASHINGTON, DC - A bi-partisan group of over 60 House Members
    called on Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL), today, to bring the
    Genocide Resolution - H.Res.193 - for a full floor vote, reported
    the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

    The letter, initiated by Rep. Radanovich (R-CA), stresses that, "As
    we saw in Rwanda a decade ago, and as we witness today the signs of
    a possible new genocide emerging around the world - as a government
    and a people - we must make sure that we apply the lessons of past
    genocide to prevent future crimes against humanity."

    The Genocide resolution was introduced in the House last April by
    Representatives Radanovich, Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional
    Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg
    (R-MI). It was adopted unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee
    in May and has 111 cosponsors. Its companion legislation in the
    Senate, S.Res.164, was introduced last June by Senators John Ensign
    (R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and currently has 37 cosponsors.

    The resolution cites the importance of remembering past crimes
    against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide, Holocaust,
    Cambodian and Rwandan genocides, in an effort to stop future
    atrocities. Support for the measure has been widespread, with a
    diverse coalition of over 100 ethnic, religious, civil and human
    rights organizations calling for its passage, including American
    Values, National Organization of Women, Sons of Italy, NAACP, Union
    of Orthodox Rabbis, and the National Council of La Raza.

    Joining Rep. Radanovich in cosigning the letter to Speaker Hastert
    were Representatives: Tom Allen (D-ME), Rob Andrews (D-NJ), Tammy
    Baldwin (D-WI), Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Howard Berman (D-CA),
    Michael Bilirakis (R-FL), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH),
    Ken Calvert (R-CA), Michael Capuano (D-MA), Dennis Cardoza (D-CA),
    John Conyers (D-MI), Jerry Costello (D-IL), Joseph Crowley (D-NY),
    William Delahunt (D-MA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), John Dingell (D-MI),
    Elliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Chaka Fattah (D-PA),
    Michael Ferguson (R-NJ), Bob Filner (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA),
    Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Mark Green (R-WI), Jim Greenwood (R-PA), Raul
    Grijalva (D-AZ), Luis Gutierrez (D-IL), Maurice Hinchey (D-NY),
    Rush Holt (D-NJ), Michael Honda (D-CA), Steve Israel (D-NY), Marcy
    Kaptur (D-OH), Dale Kildee (D-MI), Jerry Kleczka (D-WI), Dennis
    Kucinich (D-OH), James Langevin (D-RI), Jim Leach (R-IA), Barbara
    Lee (D-CA), Sander Levin (D-MI), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Nita Lowey (D-
    NY), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Edward Markey
    (D-MA), James McGovern (D-MA), Michael McNulty (D-NY), Marty Meehan
    (D-MA), Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-CA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA),
    Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Devin Nunes (R-CA), Frank Pallone (D-
    NJ), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Adam Schiff (D-
    CA), Chris Smith (R-NJ), Mark Souder (R-IN), John Sweeney (R-NY),
    Edolphus Towns (D-NY), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).

    The full text of the letter follows.

    #####

    =======================================TEXT OF LETTER TO SPEAKER DENNIS HASTERT
    =======================================Mar ch 12, 2004

    The Honorable Dennis J. Hastert
    Speaker of the House
    235 Cannon HOB
    Washington, DC 20515

    Dear Speaker Hastert:

    We are writing to share with you our strong support for bringing H.
    Res. 193 to the House floor for a vote as soon as possible.

    This measure, as you know, commemorates the 15th anniversary of the
    U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention and reinforces our
    nation's dedication to this landmark human rights treaty. Approved
    in the shadow of the Holocaust, the Convention stands today as the
    international community's best hope for the realization of the
    noble aim of eradicating forever the crime of genocide. The House
    Judiciary Committee, recognizing the importance of this effort,
    adopted H. Res. 193 without opposition on May 21st. One hundred
    and ten Representatives have cosponsored this measure, including
    both the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee.

    As we saw in Rwanda a decade ago, and as we witness today the signs
    of a possible new genocide emerging around the world, as a
    government and a people, we must make sure that we apply the
    lessons of past genocide to prevent future crimes against humanity.
    Sadly, even as we confront new genocides, we still have among us
    those who, against all facts and morality, deny the Holocaust or
    seek to rewrite the history of the past atrocities. These hateful
    deniers dishonor the dead and threaten the living. They make the
    world a more dangerous place by emboldening future potential
    perpetrators of genocide to believe that their crimes can be
    committed with impunity. Adolf Hitler confirmed this with his
    chilling remark to his military staff prior to launching the
    Holocaust, "who, after all remembers the annihilation of the
    Armenians."

    Clearly, the struggle against genocide is not over. The pressing
    need to remain ever vigilant was underscored recently by Samantha
    Power, Pulitzer Prize winning author of " A Problem from Hell:
    American in the Age of Genocide." Commenting on similar
    legislation in the 107th Congress, she noted that, "For too long
    American leaders and citizens have reflexively uttered the phrase
    'never again' without taking concrete steps to give the slogan
    meaning. This legislation marks the beginning of a twenty-first
    century campaign to get the U.S. government to commit itself
    politically and operationally to prevent future genocide."

    Recalling your support for H. Res. 596 in the 106th Congress and
    knowing of your principled advocacy for human rights around the
    world, we ask that you please move quickly to schedule a vote on H.
    Res. 193. Thank you for your consideration of our request.

    #####
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