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Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email. [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 17, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REP. LAURA RICHARDSON TO COSPONSOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGISLATION
Washington, DC - The Armenian National Committee of America has
learned that Congresswoman Laura Richardson (CA-37) has cosponsored
the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 252). The bill currently
has over 125 cosponsors in the United States House of
Representatives.
"I am proud to co-sponsor H. Res. 252, the "Affirmation of the
United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution," Rep.
Richardson told the ANCA. "April 24 marked the 94th anniversary of
one of the darkest and saddest chapters in human history, the mass
deportations and massacre of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman
Empire during the years 1915-1923. The systematic killing of
innocent Armenian civilians by the Turks was an unprecedented act
of cruelty and barbarism and is, with the exception of the
Holocaust, perhaps the ultimate example of man's inhumanity to man.
There is only one word that adequately describes this kind of evil
and that word is 'genocide.' And we dare not be afraid to speak its
name."
Richardson continued to note that "The International Association of
Genocide Scholars and nearly all credible agree that Armenians were
the victims of the first genocide of the 20th century. But for more
than 90 years Turkey has refused to acknowledge this crime against
humanity. And to their credit, Armenian-Americans have worked
tirelessly to ensure that the world never forgets what happened
during his dark moment in world history. Passage of the H.R. 252
will ensure that the Armenian Genocide will never be forgotten by
the Congress, and thus the people, of the United States. I will
continue to work with my colleagues to pass this important and long
overdue resolution and will not rest until it does."
Congresswoman Laura Richardson replaced former Congresswoman
Juanita Millender-McDonald, a strong supporter of issues of concern
to Armenian Americans until her passing on April 22, 2007.
Richardson prevailed in a Special Election that took place August
21, 2007 and won re-election in 2008.
The Armenian American community of the South Bay has had a long and
productive relationship with the Congresswoman, dating back to her
days as a Long Beach City Councilmember. In 2006, Richardson was
elected to represent California's 55th State Assembly District
which includes the cities of Carson, Harbor City, Lakewood, Long
Beach and Wilmington.
"I am very proud that the Armenian American community's longtime
friend and ally - Rep. Richardson - has again cosponsored the
Armenian Genocide resolution," said Armenian community activist
Armand Aghakhanian, who met with Richardson last week.
"Increased Congressional support for this vital human rights
measure not only honors the memory of the innocent men, women, and
children killed during the Genocide, but demonstrates American will
to end the cycle of genocide."
Richardson earned her Bachelor Degree in Political Science from the
University of California, Los Angeles in 1984. In 1987, she joined
Xerox Corporation where she gained significant business experience
in a Fortune 40 company. Richardson received her Masters Degree in
Business Administration in 1996 from the University of Southern
California. She considers her studies abroad in Hong Kong,
Beijing, and Shanghai as critical learning experiences.
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email. [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
June 17, 2009
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
REP. LAURA RICHARDSON TO COSPONSOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE LEGISLATION
Washington, DC - The Armenian National Committee of America has
learned that Congresswoman Laura Richardson (CA-37) has cosponsored
the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 252). The bill currently
has over 125 cosponsors in the United States House of
Representatives.
"I am proud to co-sponsor H. Res. 252, the "Affirmation of the
United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution," Rep.
Richardson told the ANCA. "April 24 marked the 94th anniversary of
one of the darkest and saddest chapters in human history, the mass
deportations and massacre of 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman
Empire during the years 1915-1923. The systematic killing of
innocent Armenian civilians by the Turks was an unprecedented act
of cruelty and barbarism and is, with the exception of the
Holocaust, perhaps the ultimate example of man's inhumanity to man.
There is only one word that adequately describes this kind of evil
and that word is 'genocide.' And we dare not be afraid to speak its
name."
Richardson continued to note that "The International Association of
Genocide Scholars and nearly all credible agree that Armenians were
the victims of the first genocide of the 20th century. But for more
than 90 years Turkey has refused to acknowledge this crime against
humanity. And to their credit, Armenian-Americans have worked
tirelessly to ensure that the world never forgets what happened
during his dark moment in world history. Passage of the H.R. 252
will ensure that the Armenian Genocide will never be forgotten by
the Congress, and thus the people, of the United States. I will
continue to work with my colleagues to pass this important and long
overdue resolution and will not rest until it does."
Congresswoman Laura Richardson replaced former Congresswoman
Juanita Millender-McDonald, a strong supporter of issues of concern
to Armenian Americans until her passing on April 22, 2007.
Richardson prevailed in a Special Election that took place August
21, 2007 and won re-election in 2008.
The Armenian American community of the South Bay has had a long and
productive relationship with the Congresswoman, dating back to her
days as a Long Beach City Councilmember. In 2006, Richardson was
elected to represent California's 55th State Assembly District
which includes the cities of Carson, Harbor City, Lakewood, Long
Beach and Wilmington.
"I am very proud that the Armenian American community's longtime
friend and ally - Rep. Richardson - has again cosponsored the
Armenian Genocide resolution," said Armenian community activist
Armand Aghakhanian, who met with Richardson last week.
"Increased Congressional support for this vital human rights
measure not only honors the memory of the innocent men, women, and
children killed during the Genocide, but demonstrates American will
to end the cycle of genocide."
Richardson earned her Bachelor Degree in Political Science from the
University of California, Los Angeles in 1984. In 1987, she joined
Xerox Corporation where she gained significant business experience
in a Fortune 40 company. Richardson received her Masters Degree in
Business Administration in 1996 from the University of Southern
California. She considers her studies abroad in Hong Kong,
Beijing, and Shanghai as critical learning experiences.