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SPOTLIGHT ON 2012 CONGRESSIONAL RACES
http://asbarez.com/106118/spotlight-on-2012-congressional-races/
Saturday, October 27th, 2012
Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) - ANCA Rating: A+ Sen. Feinstein was
the lead Democratic cosponsor of S.Res.392, the Return of Churches
Resolution. A perennial supporter of Armenian Genocide legislation,
she continued her support in the 112th Congress with her cosponsorship
of S.Res.399. In November 2011, she visited the Armenian Genocide
Memorial in Montebello, CA, where she called for compensation for
the Armenian Genocide.
Shelly Berkley Shelly Berkley (D-NV) - ANCA Rating: A+ Rep. Shelly
Berkley (D-NV-1) is relinquishing the House seat she has held since
1998, and is challenging Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) for the Senate. As
a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, she has
consistently supported issues of concern to the Armenian American
community. She cosponsored H. Res. 304, the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, and H. Res. 306, the Return of Churches and Religious
Freedom Resolution. She has also called for expanded US assistance
to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and has attended numerous events on
Capitol Hill commemorating the Armenian Genocide and celebrating a
vibrant Armenia and Artsakh.
Robert Menendez Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) - ANCA Rating: A+
Sen. Menendez has been a leading force on issues of concern to the
Armenian American community in New Jersey and throughout the nation
since first being elected to Congress in 1992. In 2006, Sen. Menendez
blocked the misguided nomination of Richard Hoagland to serve as US
Ambassador to Armenia, after Hoagland offered responses to Senate
Foreign Relations Committee inquiries denying the Armenian Genocide.
In 2010, Sen. Menendez and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) opposed the
appointment of Matthew Bryza to serve as US Ambassador to Azerbaijan,
citing Bryza's close ties to the repressive Aliyev regime. He
has cosponsored every Armenian Genocide Resolution since entering
Congress, and serves as the lead Democratic cosponsor of S. Res. 399,
the Armenian Genocide Resolution, during the 112th Congress. He
is a perennial participant at the Armenian Genocide Observance at
Times Square. Just recently, he issued a strongly worded statement
condemning the release and pardon of convicted Azerbaijani axe-murderer
Ramil Safarov.
House of Representatives
Robert Dold Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL-10) - ANCA Rating: A+ As a freshman
member, Rep. Dold immediately stepped up to take a leadership position
on Armenian American concerns, joining with Rep.
Adam Schiff (D-CA) to serve as the lead Republican cosponsor of H.
Res. 304, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and speaking passionately
at the annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill. He was
also an early supporter of H. Res. 306, the Return of Churches and
Religious Freedom Resolution, and attended events on Capitol Hill
celebrating the 20th anniversaries of independence of Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh. For his consistent leadership on community concerns,
Congressional Armenian Caucus Republican Co-Chair, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA)
recently announced Rep. Dold's appointment as Republican Vice-Chair
of the Caucus.
Michael Grimm Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY-11) - ANCA Rating: A After
defeating one of the most outspoken pro-Turkey House Members, Michael
McMahon, in a tight 2010 House race, Rep. Grimm has championed issues
of concern to the Armenian American community. He has cosponsored
H. Res. 304, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and H. Res.
306, the Return of Churches Resolution, and expressed solidarity with
the Christian Armenian community in New York City during a meeting
with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. He has also been
a consistent supporter of increased U.S. aid and trade with Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh.
Dina Titus Former Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-1) Having previously served
during the 111th Congress (2009-2010), former Rep. Dina Titus was
a strong supporter of issues of concern to the Armenian American
community in Nevada. She cosponsored H. Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, during the 111th Congress and joined House colleagues at
the 2009 Capitol Hill Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. During
her time in Congress, she also co-signed a letter to President Obama
expressing concern about the 2009 Turkey-Armenia Roadmap - a precursor
to the failed Turkey-Armenia Protocols.
Adam Schiff Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-28) - ANCA Rating: A+ A member of
the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations,
Rep. Schiff has been an ardent advocate for increased aid to Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh, working with colleagues to ensure Committee
adoption of a provision ensuring a minimum $5 million in U.S. aid to
to Artsakh in FY2013. As the lead Democrat on the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, H. Res. 304, Rep. Schiff has been a forceful proponent of
U.S. reaffirmation of that crime. He has consistently received an A+
rating from the ANCA since his election in 2000.
Jim Costa Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA-16) - ANCA Rating: A+ Hailing from
the land of William Saroyan, Rep. Costa has done the Central Valley
Armenian American community proud, receiving an A+ rating from the
ANCA throughout his terms in office. From legislation affirming the
Armenian Genocide to efforts to secure Turkey's return of stolen
Christian properties, Rep. Costa has been a steadfast ally in the
Halls of Congress. His support extends to ongoing efforts to broaden
U.S.-Armenia relations and the fight to ensure self-determination
for the people of Karabakh.
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA-22) - ANCA Rating: A Central Valley Republican
Devin Nunes was an early cosponsor of both the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H.Res.304) and the Return of Churches Resolution
(H.Res.306). He also joined his colleagues in expressing concern to
Secretary Clinton when she questioned the historical facts of the
Genocide during a State Department Town Hall meeting. In August, 2012,
he was part of a Congressional delegation trip to Armenia, where paid
respects to the 1.5 million victims at the Armenian Genocide Memorial
- Dzidzernagapert.
Jeff Denham Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA-10) - ANCA Rating: A Succeeding
longtime Armenian American issues advocate George Radanonich (R),
freshman Congressman Jeff Denham cosponsored the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H.Res.304) and the Return of Churches Resolution
(H.Res.306). Rep. Denham told his constituents, "We must acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide to remember those who lost their lives, as well
as ensure that such a horrible tragedy will never happen again." In
September, he joined Rep. Nunes in issuing a statement condemning
Azerbaijani President Aliyev's pardon, promotion and praise for
convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov.
Ed Royce Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-39) - ANCA Rating: A+ As the Republican
Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Rep. Royce
been a perennial champion of Armenian American concerns. A senior
member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and lead Republican
sponsor of the Return of Churches Resolution (H.Res.306), he was
tireless in his support for the measure, which was adopted by the House
in December, 2011. An outspoken advocate for self-determination for the
people of Artsakh, Rep. Royce praised the recent Karabakh Presidential
elections, noting, "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."
Dan Lungren Rep. Daniel Lungren (R-CA-7) - ANCA Rating: A- Four-term
Congressman Dan Lungren has been a consistent cosponsor of Armenian
Genocide legislation and this term was no exception. He joined
colleagues as an early cosponsor of the Return of Churches Resolution
(H.Res.306), which was adopted by the House in December, 2011.
Janice Hahn Rep. Janice Hahn (D-CA-44) - ANCA Rating: A Freshman
Congresswoman Janice Hahn stood steadfast in support for the
Congressional Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.304) and the Return
of Churches Resolution (H.Res.306). In a statement issued after the
passage of H.Res.306, Rep. Hahn noted "Today in Turkey, beautiful
and historic Armenian churches, monuments and monasteries lie in
ruins-broken not by the sands of time, but by desecration, theft
and dynamite. For too long, the U.S. has allowed Turkey to elude
responsibility for the destruction of Armenian churches. With this
resolution, Congress sends a stern message to Turkey's Prime Minister,
Recep Erdogan - the United States will not tolerate Turkish assaults
on Armenian heritage and religious freedom."
Judy Chu Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-27) - ANCA Rating: A Rep. Chu was an early
cosponsor of both the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.304) and the
Return of Churches Resolution (H.Res.306). In a powerful statement on
the House Floor condemning the Azerbaijani massacres in Sumgait and
Baku, Rep. Chu noted "I worry the sentiments that sparked this violence
still remains. Just last month, Azerbaijan began buying up weapons
to regain control of the region. The President of Azerbaijan declared
this is, "not a frozen conflict, and it's not going to be one. America
must remain committed to a peaceful and democratic resolution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, not one that relives the past."
Raul Grijalva Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-3) - ANCA Rating: A-
Rep. Grijalva has been a perennial cosponsor of Armenian Genocide
legislation since Joined House Natural Resources Committee Ranking
Democrat Ed Markey in authoring a dissenting opinion to H. R. 2362,
the Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Demonstration Project Act,
which would have granted Turkey special advantages in conducting
business with Native American tribes.
Cory Gardner Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO-4) - ANCA Rating: A- Rep. Gardner
was one of a handful of Republican freshman to cosponsor H. Res. 304,
the Armenian Genocide Resolution. He joined with Rep.
Robert Dold (R-IL) and Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA) in circulating a Dear
Colleague letter to other Republican freshman urging them to support
the Armenian Genocide Resolution.
http://asbarez.com/106118/spotlight-on-2012-congressional-races/
Saturday, October 27th, 2012
Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-CA) - ANCA Rating: A+ Sen. Feinstein was
the lead Democratic cosponsor of S.Res.392, the Return of Churches
Resolution. A perennial supporter of Armenian Genocide legislation,
she continued her support in the 112th Congress with her cosponsorship
of S.Res.399. In November 2011, she visited the Armenian Genocide
Memorial in Montebello, CA, where she called for compensation for
the Armenian Genocide.
Shelly Berkley Shelly Berkley (D-NV) - ANCA Rating: A+ Rep. Shelly
Berkley (D-NV-1) is relinquishing the House seat she has held since
1998, and is challenging Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV) for the Senate. As
a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, she has
consistently supported issues of concern to the Armenian American
community. She cosponsored H. Res. 304, the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, and H. Res. 306, the Return of Churches and Religious
Freedom Resolution. She has also called for expanded US assistance
to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, and has attended numerous events on
Capitol Hill commemorating the Armenian Genocide and celebrating a
vibrant Armenia and Artsakh.
Robert Menendez Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) - ANCA Rating: A+
Sen. Menendez has been a leading force on issues of concern to the
Armenian American community in New Jersey and throughout the nation
since first being elected to Congress in 1992. In 2006, Sen. Menendez
blocked the misguided nomination of Richard Hoagland to serve as US
Ambassador to Armenia, after Hoagland offered responses to Senate
Foreign Relations Committee inquiries denying the Armenian Genocide.
In 2010, Sen. Menendez and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) opposed the
appointment of Matthew Bryza to serve as US Ambassador to Azerbaijan,
citing Bryza's close ties to the repressive Aliyev regime. He
has cosponsored every Armenian Genocide Resolution since entering
Congress, and serves as the lead Democratic cosponsor of S. Res. 399,
the Armenian Genocide Resolution, during the 112th Congress. He
is a perennial participant at the Armenian Genocide Observance at
Times Square. Just recently, he issued a strongly worded statement
condemning the release and pardon of convicted Azerbaijani axe-murderer
Ramil Safarov.
House of Representatives
Robert Dold Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL-10) - ANCA Rating: A+ As a freshman
member, Rep. Dold immediately stepped up to take a leadership position
on Armenian American concerns, joining with Rep.
Adam Schiff (D-CA) to serve as the lead Republican cosponsor of H.
Res. 304, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and speaking passionately
at the annual Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill. He was
also an early supporter of H. Res. 306, the Return of Churches and
Religious Freedom Resolution, and attended events on Capitol Hill
celebrating the 20th anniversaries of independence of Armenia and
Nagorno Karabakh. For his consistent leadership on community concerns,
Congressional Armenian Caucus Republican Co-Chair, Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA)
recently announced Rep. Dold's appointment as Republican Vice-Chair
of the Caucus.
Michael Grimm Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY-11) - ANCA Rating: A After
defeating one of the most outspoken pro-Turkey House Members, Michael
McMahon, in a tight 2010 House race, Rep. Grimm has championed issues
of concern to the Armenian American community. He has cosponsored
H. Res. 304, the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and H. Res.
306, the Return of Churches Resolution, and expressed solidarity with
the Christian Armenian community in New York City during a meeting
with His Eminence Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern
Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America. He has also been
a consistent supporter of increased U.S. aid and trade with Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh.
Dina Titus Former Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV-1) Having previously served
during the 111th Congress (2009-2010), former Rep. Dina Titus was
a strong supporter of issues of concern to the Armenian American
community in Nevada. She cosponsored H. Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, during the 111th Congress and joined House colleagues at
the 2009 Capitol Hill Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. During
her time in Congress, she also co-signed a letter to President Obama
expressing concern about the 2009 Turkey-Armenia Roadmap - a precursor
to the failed Turkey-Armenia Protocols.
Adam Schiff Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-28) - ANCA Rating: A+ A member of
the powerful House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations,
Rep. Schiff has been an ardent advocate for increased aid to Armenia
and Nagorno Karabakh, working with colleagues to ensure Committee
adoption of a provision ensuring a minimum $5 million in U.S. aid to
to Artsakh in FY2013. As the lead Democrat on the Armenian Genocide
Resolution, H. Res. 304, Rep. Schiff has been a forceful proponent of
U.S. reaffirmation of that crime. He has consistently received an A+
rating from the ANCA since his election in 2000.
Jim Costa Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA-16) - ANCA Rating: A+ Hailing from
the land of William Saroyan, Rep. Costa has done the Central Valley
Armenian American community proud, receiving an A+ rating from the
ANCA throughout his terms in office. From legislation affirming the
Armenian Genocide to efforts to secure Turkey's return of stolen
Christian properties, Rep. Costa has been a steadfast ally in the
Halls of Congress. His support extends to ongoing efforts to broaden
U.S.-Armenia relations and the fight to ensure self-determination
for the people of Karabakh.
Rep. Devin Nunes (R-CA-22) - ANCA Rating: A Central Valley Republican
Devin Nunes was an early cosponsor of both the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H.Res.304) and the Return of Churches Resolution
(H.Res.306). He also joined his colleagues in expressing concern to
Secretary Clinton when she questioned the historical facts of the
Genocide during a State Department Town Hall meeting. In August, 2012,
he was part of a Congressional delegation trip to Armenia, where paid
respects to the 1.5 million victims at the Armenian Genocide Memorial
- Dzidzernagapert.
Jeff Denham Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA-10) - ANCA Rating: A Succeeding
longtime Armenian American issues advocate George Radanonich (R),
freshman Congressman Jeff Denham cosponsored the Armenian Genocide
Resolution (H.Res.304) and the Return of Churches Resolution
(H.Res.306). Rep. Denham told his constituents, "We must acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide to remember those who lost their lives, as well
as ensure that such a horrible tragedy will never happen again." In
September, he joined Rep. Nunes in issuing a statement condemning
Azerbaijani President Aliyev's pardon, promotion and praise for
convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov.
Ed Royce Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-39) - ANCA Rating: A+ As the Republican
Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Rep. Royce
been a perennial champion of Armenian American concerns. A senior
member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and lead Republican
sponsor of the Return of Churches Resolution (H.Res.306), he was
tireless in his support for the measure, which was adopted by the House
in December, 2011. An outspoken advocate for self-determination for the
people of Artsakh, Rep. Royce praised the recent Karabakh Presidential
elections, noting, "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."
Dan Lungren Rep. Daniel Lungren (R-CA-7) - ANCA Rating: A- Four-term
Congressman Dan Lungren has been a consistent cosponsor of Armenian
Genocide legislation and this term was no exception. He joined
colleagues as an early cosponsor of the Return of Churches Resolution
(H.Res.306), which was adopted by the House in December, 2011.
Janice Hahn Rep. Janice Hahn (D-CA-44) - ANCA Rating: A Freshman
Congresswoman Janice Hahn stood steadfast in support for the
Congressional Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.304) and the Return
of Churches Resolution (H.Res.306). In a statement issued after the
passage of H.Res.306, Rep. Hahn noted "Today in Turkey, beautiful
and historic Armenian churches, monuments and monasteries lie in
ruins-broken not by the sands of time, but by desecration, theft
and dynamite. For too long, the U.S. has allowed Turkey to elude
responsibility for the destruction of Armenian churches. With this
resolution, Congress sends a stern message to Turkey's Prime Minister,
Recep Erdogan - the United States will not tolerate Turkish assaults
on Armenian heritage and religious freedom."
Judy Chu Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-27) - ANCA Rating: A Rep. Chu was an early
cosponsor of both the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.304) and the
Return of Churches Resolution (H.Res.306). In a powerful statement on
the House Floor condemning the Azerbaijani massacres in Sumgait and
Baku, Rep. Chu noted "I worry the sentiments that sparked this violence
still remains. Just last month, Azerbaijan began buying up weapons
to regain control of the region. The President of Azerbaijan declared
this is, "not a frozen conflict, and it's not going to be one. America
must remain committed to a peaceful and democratic resolution to the
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, not one that relives the past."
Raul Grijalva Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ-3) - ANCA Rating: A-
Rep. Grijalva has been a perennial cosponsor of Armenian Genocide
legislation since Joined House Natural Resources Committee Ranking
Democrat Ed Markey in authoring a dissenting opinion to H. R. 2362,
the Indian Tribal Trade and Investment Demonstration Project Act,
which would have granted Turkey special advantages in conducting
business with Native American tribes.
Cory Gardner Rep. Cory Gardner (R-CO-4) - ANCA Rating: A- Rep. Gardner
was one of a handful of Republican freshman to cosponsor H. Res. 304,
the Armenian Genocide Resolution. He joined with Rep.
Robert Dold (R-IL) and Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA) in circulating a Dear
Colleague letter to other Republican freshman urging them to support
the Armenian Genocide Resolution.