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ANCA to honor Robert Menendez with Freedom Award

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  • ANCA to honor Robert Menendez with Freedom Award

    ANCA to honor Robert Menendez with Freedom Award
    12.09.2009 02:06 GMT+04:00

    /PanARMENIAN.Net/ The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
    Eastern Region will be honoring United States Senator Robert Menendez
    with its highest honor, the prestigious Freedom Award, at the Third
    Annual ANCA Eastern Region Banquet hosted by the Armenian Cultural
    Association of America on Oct. 3 in New York City, The Armenian Weekly
    reports.

    `We are proud to be honoring Senator Menendez,' said ACAA Board Member
    George Aghjayan. `The Senator from New Jersey acted with distinction
    when he placed a hold on Richard Hoagland's nomination and has
    repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to the Armenian American
    community.'

    For over 16 years, Menendez has been an ardent advocate of Armenian
    American concerns in the state of New Jersey and nationally. From
    ensuring that the United States honestly addresses the issue of the
    Armenian Genocide to speaking out on the right of self-determination
    for the people of Nagorno-Karabagh, Menendez has championed truth,
    justice, and the principles of freedom so cherished by the Armenian
    American community.

    During the 109th Congress (2005-06), Menendez received nationwide
    attention after making history by placing a hold on the appointment of
    Ambassador designate to the Republic of Armenia, Richard Hoagland.

    When asked about his motivation for placing a hold, Menendez stated,
    `I believe that the United States, Armenia, and all who are committed
    to human rights should support an ambassador to Armenia who recognizes
    the genocide that took place there more than 90 years ago.'


    Turkey and Azerbaijan's blockades of Armenia, Karabagh, and foreign
    aid to Armenia. Several months later, in September 2008, Menendez led
    the effort in questioning the administration's nominee, James Jeffrey,
    to serve as U.S. ambassador to Turkey during his confirmation hearing.

    Most recently, in January 2009, Menendez questioned President Obama's
    nominee, Senator Hillary Clinton, to serve as secretary of st
    ations Committee confirmation hearing. During the nationally televised
    hearing, Menendez said, `I hope that the support that you gave while
    you were a Senator to the question of the Armenian Genocide, that the
    president-elect has himself supported, recognition of that. You know,
    if we are to say never again, part of that is ultimately the
    recognition of what has happened so that we can move forward. And I
    hope that you will be an advocate of having us get off of where we
    have been and move forward to a recognition of that part of history
    that is universally recognized so that we can move forward in that
    respect.'
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