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PRESS OFFICE
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
April 14, 2010
___________________________________
EASTERN DIOCESE NAMES U.S. SEN. DICK DURBIN AS ITS "FRIEND OF THE ARMENIANS"
FOR 2010
Richard Durbin was the Senate's assistant Majority Leader when he authored a
resolution acknowledging the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. "We
must honor those who died in the Armenian Genocide by recognizing their
suffering and by dedicating ourselves to preventing human suffering and
tragedy in the future," said the U.S. Senator from Illinois, in introductory
remarks on the Senate floor.
"It is important and long past time that the United States speaks with
appropriate clarity on this historical fact."
For his support of the Armenian-American community, the Eastern Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America has named Senator Durbin as its "Friend of
the Armenians" for 2010. The award will be officially announced during the
annual Diocesan Assembly banquet, held this year in Chicago on Friday, April
30.
The weight of history has driven Senator Durbin on the Genocide issue, which
he sees as part of a woven garment of related concerns on human rights and
crimes against humanity. Chief among his present concerns is the genocide in
Darfur, which has received a great deal of the senator's energy, resulting
in the "Darfur Peace and Accountability Act," the "Sudan Accountability and
Divestment Act," and other legislative tools to halt the ongoing tragedy.
In his efforts to bring compassionate attention to the Darfur crisis-Durbin
calls it "one of the most pressing issues facing the international
community"-the Armenian experience of 95 years ago has a special resonance.
"Recognizing the Armenian Genocide takes on added importance in the face of
the genocide occurring right now in the Darfur region of Sudan," Durbin said
in remarks on a bipartisan resolution on genocide. "We must honor those who
died in the Armenian Genocide by recognizing their suffering, and by
dedicating ourselves to preventing human suffering and tragedy in the
future."
Currently in his third senate term, Durbin previously served for 14 years in
the House of Representatives. He has co-sponsored legislation expressing
Congress' solidarity with Armenia in the aftermath of the 1999
assassinations in Armenia's Parliament; was a vocal supporter of the
provision in the "Freedom Support Act" banning aid to Azerbaijan until it
lifts its blockade; and co-sponsored the bill extending permanent normal
trade relations to Armenia.
Durbin has also been outspoken in addressing human rights abuses in Turkey,
and enthusiastically signed a letter urging the President to properly
recognize the Armenian Genocide on April 24.
In 2007, he authored the "Genocide Accountability Act," which was signed
into law. A year later, Senator Durbin chaired hearings on Capitol Hill
titled "From Nuremberg to Darfur: Accountability for Crimes Against
Humanity," which once again brought the history of crimes against humanity
into the context of the present day.
"Our promise to hold accountable those who commit the most unspeakable
crimes will ring hollow unless we lead the world in punishing those
responsible for the gravest human rights violations," he said on that
occasion.
The 108th Diocesan Assembly will convene in Chicago, Ill., and will be
hosted by the St. James parish of Evanston. The assembly's gala banquet will
be held at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare Hotel, on Friday, April 30, starting
at 6:00 p.m.
For information on the banquet and this year's Diocesan Assembly, log onto
the host parish's website for the Diocesan Assembly,
www.2010diocesanassembly.org.
###
Photo attached: Senator Richard Durbin
Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Contact: Karine Abalyan
Tel: (212) 686-0710; Fax: (212) 779-3558
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.armenianchurch.net
April 14, 2010
___________________________________
EASTERN DIOCESE NAMES U.S. SEN. DICK DURBIN AS ITS "FRIEND OF THE ARMENIANS"
FOR 2010
Richard Durbin was the Senate's assistant Majority Leader when he authored a
resolution acknowledging the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. "We
must honor those who died in the Armenian Genocide by recognizing their
suffering and by dedicating ourselves to preventing human suffering and
tragedy in the future," said the U.S. Senator from Illinois, in introductory
remarks on the Senate floor.
"It is important and long past time that the United States speaks with
appropriate clarity on this historical fact."
For his support of the Armenian-American community, the Eastern Diocese of
the Armenian Church of America has named Senator Durbin as its "Friend of
the Armenians" for 2010. The award will be officially announced during the
annual Diocesan Assembly banquet, held this year in Chicago on Friday, April
30.
The weight of history has driven Senator Durbin on the Genocide issue, which
he sees as part of a woven garment of related concerns on human rights and
crimes against humanity. Chief among his present concerns is the genocide in
Darfur, which has received a great deal of the senator's energy, resulting
in the "Darfur Peace and Accountability Act," the "Sudan Accountability and
Divestment Act," and other legislative tools to halt the ongoing tragedy.
In his efforts to bring compassionate attention to the Darfur crisis-Durbin
calls it "one of the most pressing issues facing the international
community"-the Armenian experience of 95 years ago has a special resonance.
"Recognizing the Armenian Genocide takes on added importance in the face of
the genocide occurring right now in the Darfur region of Sudan," Durbin said
in remarks on a bipartisan resolution on genocide. "We must honor those who
died in the Armenian Genocide by recognizing their suffering, and by
dedicating ourselves to preventing human suffering and tragedy in the
future."
Currently in his third senate term, Durbin previously served for 14 years in
the House of Representatives. He has co-sponsored legislation expressing
Congress' solidarity with Armenia in the aftermath of the 1999
assassinations in Armenia's Parliament; was a vocal supporter of the
provision in the "Freedom Support Act" banning aid to Azerbaijan until it
lifts its blockade; and co-sponsored the bill extending permanent normal
trade relations to Armenia.
Durbin has also been outspoken in addressing human rights abuses in Turkey,
and enthusiastically signed a letter urging the President to properly
recognize the Armenian Genocide on April 24.
In 2007, he authored the "Genocide Accountability Act," which was signed
into law. A year later, Senator Durbin chaired hearings on Capitol Hill
titled "From Nuremberg to Darfur: Accountability for Crimes Against
Humanity," which once again brought the history of crimes against humanity
into the context of the present day.
"Our promise to hold accountable those who commit the most unspeakable
crimes will ring hollow unless we lead the world in punishing those
responsible for the gravest human rights violations," he said on that
occasion.
The 108th Diocesan Assembly will convene in Chicago, Ill., and will be
hosted by the St. James parish of Evanston. The assembly's gala banquet will
be held at the Chicago Marriott O'Hare Hotel, on Friday, April 30, starting
at 6:00 p.m.
For information on the banquet and this year's Diocesan Assembly, log onto
the host parish's website for the Diocesan Assembly,
www.2010diocesanassembly.org.
###
Photo attached: Senator Richard Durbin