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SHERMAN AWARDED MKHITAR GOSH MEDAL BY ARMENIAN PRESIDENT SARGSYAN
Targeted News Service
April 26, 2012 Thursday 2:44 AM EST
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif. (27th CD), issued the following news
release:
This week, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan awarded Congressman
Brad Sherman (D - CA) the Mkhitar Gosh medal in recognition of his
efforts on behalf of the Armenian-American community and U.S.-Armenia
relations. The Mkhitar Gosh medal is named for the noted 12th century
Armenian clergyman, writer, and codifier of the Armenian civil and
canon laws.
Armenian Ambassador Tatoul Markarian presented Congressman Sherman
the medal at a Capitol Hill reception to commemorate the Armenian
Genocide. Hundreds of Armenian-Americans gathered at the event in
recognition of the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Upon
receiving the award, Congressman Sherman reaffirmed his commitment
to advancing the interests of the Armenian-American community and
strengthening US-Armenia ties.
"I am honored to receive this award, and I thank President Sargsyan
for this honor," said Congressman Sherman. "It is my great privilege
to work so closely with the Armenian-American community and advocate
on behalf of the U.S.-Armenia relationship."
"As a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs,
I will continue to fight for recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
and defend U.S. assistance to Armenia and Artsakh. The United States
has always been a strong supporter of Armenia, and I will keep working
hard to make sure that friendship and partnership grows even further."
Congressman Sherman represents California's San Fernando Valley, an
area which is home to a large and vibrant Armenian-American community.
Read Sherman's Full Statement on US-Armenia Issues:
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
During World War I and its aftermath, the Ottoman Empire attempted to
destroy the Armenian population of Eastern Anatolia. Congress should
remember this tragic event and proclaim that the Armenian Genocide
is a fact. Unfortunately, there are many who deny that the first
genocide of the 20th Century actually took place.
It is long overdue that Congress be on the right side of this issue and
affirm what history has shown to be true. Since going to Congress in
1997, I have cosponsored every resolution commemorating the Armenian
Genocide. In March 2009, my colleagues and I introduced a resolution
calling for the U.S. to recognize the Armenian Genocide. In March 2010,
the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted on this resolution.
The resolution passed narrowly, by just one vote, with a final tally
of 23 to 22. At the vote, I stressed that the last act of any genocide
is genocide denial, and the first act of preventing the next genocide
is to acknowledge past acts of genocide. There is no doubt about
the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide, and this resolution
should have passed by a larger margin. I fought diligently to bring
the Armenian Genocide Resolution to a vote on the House floor before
the closing of the previous two-year session of Congress in December
2010. I brought the case for recognition to many members of Congress,
in order to achieve a majority of votes. Unfortunately, the House
leadership at the time decided to not bring the resolution to a vote
on the floor.
America should never be associated with genocide denial. The victims
of the Genocide deserve our remembrance and recognition. It is in our
national interests to remember the past and learn from these crimes
against humanity to ensure that they are never repeated.
I joined with other members of Congress to introduce the new Armenian
Genocide Resolution now pending before Congress. I will not give up
this fight and will continue to organize efforts in Congress to ensure
that we bring the Armenian Genocide Resolution to a successful vote
on the House floor.
Increased Assistance to Javakheti
We should provide a robust U.S. aid package for Georgia that includes
significant assistance to the Javakheti region to support that
region's infrastructure and job creation needs. I believe that our
aid programs in Georgia, while supporting development throughout the
entire country, should include a robust package for this relatively
underdeveloped area of Georgia.
U.S. aid to the Javakheti region focuses on agricultural
modernization, social development, health projects, and improved
infrastructure. Increased U.S. aid to the region helps increase the
quality of life for ethnic Armenians living there. Recently, I met
with the Georgian Ambassador to the U.S. to discuss the U.S. aid
package to Georgia and targeted aid to Javakheti.
I also raised the Javakheti issue with the Administration. During
a February 29, 2012, hearing with Secretary Clinton on our foreign
affairs budget for 2013, I advocated for increased U.S. assistance to
the Javakheti region in the south of Georgia. Javakheti is one of the
poorest and least developed regions of the Republic of Georgia, and
has a large Armenian community. Noting the generous U.S. aid provided
to Georgia, I requested that the Armenian community residing in the
Javakheti region of Georgia directly benefit from increased U.S.
assistance to that area. I also recently pressed USAID Administrator
Rajiv Shah on the difficult economic conditions facing this region
and his efforts in conjunction with the Armenian-American community
to focus U.S. assistance to the area.
I joined my House colleagues in a request to House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Chairwoman Kay Granger and Ranking
Member Nita Lowey urging that U.S. assistance to Georgia in 2013 be
targeted (at least 10% of aid to Georgia) toward job creation efforts
in Javakheti.
Aid for Armenia and Artsakh
Since 1993, Congress has provided about $2 billion in assistance to
Armenia. This funding has helped Armenia make the transition from a
state-run to a free market economy, build democratic institutions,
and provide for the needs of the Armenian people.
As a leading member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
I have fought against cuts in aid to Armenia, year after year. In
the President's most recent budget request for 2013, he called for
$36.6 million in assistance to Armenia. This is, unfortunately,
a 17% decrease in aid to Armenia from current funding levels. I am
requesting along with my colleagues that the Appropriations Committee
provide no less than $50 million aid to Armenia in 2013.
I have been an outspoken voice in support of increased humanitarian
aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. While Congress has appropriated over $46
million in humanitarian and development aid for Nagorno-Karabakh
since 2004, the State Department has unfortunately not expended the
funds Congress has provided for the people of Artsakh every year. I
am strongly supporting efforts to require the State Department to
expend the aid that Congress provides to Nagorno-Karabakh.
Recognizing the Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku Massacres
In addition to leading efforts in Congress to get recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, I have also recognized other, more recent
massacres against Armenians. On February 29, 2012, I solemnly marked
the massacre of Armenian civilians in Azerbaijan with a House statement
for the record.
On the evening of February 27, 1988, a three-day rampage against
Armenian civilians living in Sumgait, in Soviet Azerbaijan, began.
Armenian civilians were maimed, raped, beaten, and burned alive at
the hands of rioters.
The Sumgait Pogrom was, sadly, only the beginning. Despite
international condemnation of the pogrom in Sumgait, another
anti-Armenian pogrom occurred later that year in Kirovabad, Azerbaijan,
from November 21st to 27th. Due to the brutality, the Armenians
of Kirovabad and the surrounding areas were forced to flee their
homes. Another crime against humanity occurred yet again from January
13th to the 19th, in 1990. Members of the Armenian community of Baku,
the capital of Azerbaijan, were assaulted, tortured and killed again
by violent mobs.
The ethnic-cleansing of the Armenians from Azerbaijan must not be
forgotten. Additionally, the United States must to do more - we need
to demonstrate to Azerbaijan that the United States is committed
to peace and to the protection of Artsakh from coercion. Azerbaijan
should cease all threats and acts of coercion against the Republic
of Nagorno Karabakh.
The fact that we must educate others about the victims of the Sumgait,
Kirovabad, and Baku massacres demonstrates that the world has not
learned the lessons of the Armenian Genocide. If we hope to stop future
massacres and conflicts, we need to acknowledge those horrific acts
of the past and make sure they do not happen again.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Targeted News Service
April 26, 2012 Thursday 2:44 AM EST
Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif. (27th CD), issued the following news
release:
This week, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan awarded Congressman
Brad Sherman (D - CA) the Mkhitar Gosh medal in recognition of his
efforts on behalf of the Armenian-American community and U.S.-Armenia
relations. The Mkhitar Gosh medal is named for the noted 12th century
Armenian clergyman, writer, and codifier of the Armenian civil and
canon laws.
Armenian Ambassador Tatoul Markarian presented Congressman Sherman
the medal at a Capitol Hill reception to commemorate the Armenian
Genocide. Hundreds of Armenian-Americans gathered at the event in
recognition of the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Upon
receiving the award, Congressman Sherman reaffirmed his commitment
to advancing the interests of the Armenian-American community and
strengthening US-Armenia ties.
"I am honored to receive this award, and I thank President Sargsyan
for this honor," said Congressman Sherman. "It is my great privilege
to work so closely with the Armenian-American community and advocate
on behalf of the U.S.-Armenia relationship."
"As a senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs,
I will continue to fight for recognition of the Armenian Genocide,
and defend U.S. assistance to Armenia and Artsakh. The United States
has always been a strong supporter of Armenia, and I will keep working
hard to make sure that friendship and partnership grows even further."
Congressman Sherman represents California's San Fernando Valley, an
area which is home to a large and vibrant Armenian-American community.
Read Sherman's Full Statement on US-Armenia Issues:
Recognition of the Armenian Genocide
During World War I and its aftermath, the Ottoman Empire attempted to
destroy the Armenian population of Eastern Anatolia. Congress should
remember this tragic event and proclaim that the Armenian Genocide
is a fact. Unfortunately, there are many who deny that the first
genocide of the 20th Century actually took place.
It is long overdue that Congress be on the right side of this issue and
affirm what history has shown to be true. Since going to Congress in
1997, I have cosponsored every resolution commemorating the Armenian
Genocide. In March 2009, my colleagues and I introduced a resolution
calling for the U.S. to recognize the Armenian Genocide. In March 2010,
the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted on this resolution.
The resolution passed narrowly, by just one vote, with a final tally
of 23 to 22. At the vote, I stressed that the last act of any genocide
is genocide denial, and the first act of preventing the next genocide
is to acknowledge past acts of genocide. There is no doubt about
the historical reality of the Armenian Genocide, and this resolution
should have passed by a larger margin. I fought diligently to bring
the Armenian Genocide Resolution to a vote on the House floor before
the closing of the previous two-year session of Congress in December
2010. I brought the case for recognition to many members of Congress,
in order to achieve a majority of votes. Unfortunately, the House
leadership at the time decided to not bring the resolution to a vote
on the floor.
America should never be associated with genocide denial. The victims
of the Genocide deserve our remembrance and recognition. It is in our
national interests to remember the past and learn from these crimes
against humanity to ensure that they are never repeated.
I joined with other members of Congress to introduce the new Armenian
Genocide Resolution now pending before Congress. I will not give up
this fight and will continue to organize efforts in Congress to ensure
that we bring the Armenian Genocide Resolution to a successful vote
on the House floor.
Increased Assistance to Javakheti
We should provide a robust U.S. aid package for Georgia that includes
significant assistance to the Javakheti region to support that
region's infrastructure and job creation needs. I believe that our
aid programs in Georgia, while supporting development throughout the
entire country, should include a robust package for this relatively
underdeveloped area of Georgia.
U.S. aid to the Javakheti region focuses on agricultural
modernization, social development, health projects, and improved
infrastructure. Increased U.S. aid to the region helps increase the
quality of life for ethnic Armenians living there. Recently, I met
with the Georgian Ambassador to the U.S. to discuss the U.S. aid
package to Georgia and targeted aid to Javakheti.
I also raised the Javakheti issue with the Administration. During
a February 29, 2012, hearing with Secretary Clinton on our foreign
affairs budget for 2013, I advocated for increased U.S. assistance to
the Javakheti region in the south of Georgia. Javakheti is one of the
poorest and least developed regions of the Republic of Georgia, and
has a large Armenian community. Noting the generous U.S. aid provided
to Georgia, I requested that the Armenian community residing in the
Javakheti region of Georgia directly benefit from increased U.S.
assistance to that area. I also recently pressed USAID Administrator
Rajiv Shah on the difficult economic conditions facing this region
and his efforts in conjunction with the Armenian-American community
to focus U.S. assistance to the area.
I joined my House colleagues in a request to House Appropriations
Subcommittee on Foreign Operations Chairwoman Kay Granger and Ranking
Member Nita Lowey urging that U.S. assistance to Georgia in 2013 be
targeted (at least 10% of aid to Georgia) toward job creation efforts
in Javakheti.
Aid for Armenia and Artsakh
Since 1993, Congress has provided about $2 billion in assistance to
Armenia. This funding has helped Armenia make the transition from a
state-run to a free market economy, build democratic institutions,
and provide for the needs of the Armenian people.
As a leading member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
I have fought against cuts in aid to Armenia, year after year. In
the President's most recent budget request for 2013, he called for
$36.6 million in assistance to Armenia. This is, unfortunately,
a 17% decrease in aid to Armenia from current funding levels. I am
requesting along with my colleagues that the Appropriations Committee
provide no less than $50 million aid to Armenia in 2013.
I have been an outspoken voice in support of increased humanitarian
aid to Nagorno-Karabakh. While Congress has appropriated over $46
million in humanitarian and development aid for Nagorno-Karabakh
since 2004, the State Department has unfortunately not expended the
funds Congress has provided for the people of Artsakh every year. I
am strongly supporting efforts to require the State Department to
expend the aid that Congress provides to Nagorno-Karabakh.
Recognizing the Sumgait, Kirovabad, and Baku Massacres
In addition to leading efforts in Congress to get recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, I have also recognized other, more recent
massacres against Armenians. On February 29, 2012, I solemnly marked
the massacre of Armenian civilians in Azerbaijan with a House statement
for the record.
On the evening of February 27, 1988, a three-day rampage against
Armenian civilians living in Sumgait, in Soviet Azerbaijan, began.
Armenian civilians were maimed, raped, beaten, and burned alive at
the hands of rioters.
The Sumgait Pogrom was, sadly, only the beginning. Despite
international condemnation of the pogrom in Sumgait, another
anti-Armenian pogrom occurred later that year in Kirovabad, Azerbaijan,
from November 21st to 27th. Due to the brutality, the Armenians
of Kirovabad and the surrounding areas were forced to flee their
homes. Another crime against humanity occurred yet again from January
13th to the 19th, in 1990. Members of the Armenian community of Baku,
the capital of Azerbaijan, were assaulted, tortured and killed again
by violent mobs.
The ethnic-cleansing of the Armenians from Azerbaijan must not be
forgotten. Additionally, the United States must to do more - we need
to demonstrate to Azerbaijan that the United States is committed
to peace and to the protection of Artsakh from coercion. Azerbaijan
should cease all threats and acts of coercion against the Republic
of Nagorno Karabakh.
The fact that we must educate others about the victims of the Sumgait,
Kirovabad, and Baku massacres demonstrates that the world has not
learned the lessons of the Armenian Genocide. If we hope to stop future
massacres and conflicts, we need to acknowledge those horrific acts
of the past and make sure they do not happen again.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress