ARMENIAN CAUCUS CO-CHAIR APPOINTED FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE CHAIR
http://asbarez.com/106812/armenian-caucus-chair-appointed-foreign-affairs-committee-chair/
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor
Rep. Edward Royce
WASHINGTON-The Armenian National Committee of Amer has welcomed
news that the House Republican leadership has tapped Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Ed Royce (R-CA) to lead the House Foreign
Affairs Committee in the 113th Congress, beginning in January, 2013.
The decision by the Republican Steering Committee, chaired by Speaker
John Boehner (R-OH), came Tuesday evening, with the full Republican
Conference expected to ratify the appointment on Wednesday. He is
replacing Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who is term-limited out
based on Republican House rules.
"As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Royce has
been a champion on fundamental human rights concerns from Armenian
Genocide affirmation to securing Turkey's return of confiscated
Christian churches and properties," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.
"The ANCA looks forward to working with him in the next Congress on
a broad range of Armenian American concerns."
Rep. Royce has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee since
entering Congress in 1993. He has been chairman or ranking member
of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee for
the past eight years. Prior to that, Rep. Royce chaired the Africa
Subcommittee for eight years, and has been active on the Asia and
the Pacific Subcommittee.
As Republican Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus since
February, 2011, Rep. Royce has led on a range of Armenian American
concerns, successfully spearheading efforts along with current House
Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA) to
secure House passage of the Return of Churches resolution (H.Res.306),
which calls on Turkey to return confiscated Christian churches and
properties to their rightful owners and allow for expanded freedom
of worship. He has been a perennial cosponsor and advocate for U.S.
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide since his years in the California
State Senate.
Rep. Royce has also been outspoken regarding the right
to self-determination for Nagorno Karabakh. Commenting on the
presidential elections held in July, 2012, Rep. Royce noted
"I commend the people of Nagorno-Karabakh for holding peaceful and
honest elections. Throughout the years we have seen a trend of its
electoral system working in proper fashion and the most recent election
maintains that precedent. Voting embodies a functioning democracy,
I applaud all in Nagorno-Karabakh for putting democracy into action."
Rep. Royce is joining Congressional Armenian Caucus Democratic Co-Chair
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in hosting a Capitol Hill celebration of Karabakh
freedom on December 5th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Russell Senate
Office Building Rm. 385.
In appreciation for his years of support on core Armenian American
concerns, Rep. Royce was awarded the ANCA Western Region "Man of the
Year" award in 2011. He has consistently received an A+ rating from
the ANCA.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
http://asbarez.com/106812/armenian-caucus-chair-appointed-foreign-affairs-committee-chair/
Wednesday, November 28th, 2012 | Posted by Contributor
Rep. Edward Royce
WASHINGTON-The Armenian National Committee of Amer has welcomed
news that the House Republican leadership has tapped Congressional
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Ed Royce (R-CA) to lead the House Foreign
Affairs Committee in the 113th Congress, beginning in January, 2013.
The decision by the Republican Steering Committee, chaired by Speaker
John Boehner (R-OH), came Tuesday evening, with the full Republican
Conference expected to ratify the appointment on Wednesday. He is
replacing Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), who is term-limited out
based on Republican House rules.
"As a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Royce has
been a champion on fundamental human rights concerns from Armenian
Genocide affirmation to securing Turkey's return of confiscated
Christian churches and properties," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian.
"The ANCA looks forward to working with him in the next Congress on
a broad range of Armenian American concerns."
Rep. Royce has served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee since
entering Congress in 1993. He has been chairman or ranking member
of the Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade Subcommittee for
the past eight years. Prior to that, Rep. Royce chaired the Africa
Subcommittee for eight years, and has been active on the Asia and
the Pacific Subcommittee.
As Republican Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus since
February, 2011, Rep. Royce has led on a range of Armenian American
concerns, successfully spearheading efforts along with current House
Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA) to
secure House passage of the Return of Churches resolution (H.Res.306),
which calls on Turkey to return confiscated Christian churches and
properties to their rightful owners and allow for expanded freedom
of worship. He has been a perennial cosponsor and advocate for U.S.
affirmation of the Armenian Genocide since his years in the California
State Senate.
Rep. Royce has also been outspoken regarding the right
to self-determination for Nagorno Karabakh. Commenting on the
presidential elections held in July, 2012, Rep. Royce noted
"I commend the people of Nagorno-Karabakh for holding peaceful and
honest elections. Throughout the years we have seen a trend of its
electoral system working in proper fashion and the most recent election
maintains that precedent. Voting embodies a functioning democracy,
I applaud all in Nagorno-Karabakh for putting democracy into action."
Rep. Royce is joining Congressional Armenian Caucus Democratic Co-Chair
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) in hosting a Capitol Hill celebration of Karabakh
freedom on December 5th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Russell Senate
Office Building Rm. 385.
In appreciation for his years of support on core Armenian American
concerns, Rep. Royce was awarded the ANCA Western Region "Man of the
Year" award in 2011. He has consistently received an A+ rating from
the ANCA.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress