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Rep. Clark Continues Partnership with Armenian Communities
By Contributor on September 3, 2014
By Alisa Sarkisian
In December 2013, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's Fifth
Congressional District, which is home to one of the largest Armenian
communities in the United States, elected Congresswoman Katherine
Clark to be Ed Markey's successor as their Representative to the
United States House of Representatives. Now, she is once again running
for the seat on the Democratic primary ballot on Sept. 9, against Dr.
Sheldon Schwartz, a retired doctor from Lexington.
Congresswoman Katherine Clark
In her first eight months in Congress, Congresswoman Clark has acted
on a broad array of efforts to support and partner with the Armenian
community. Clark's relentless advocacy in Congress for families in her
home district has made her a critical partner to the diverse
communities of the Fifth District.
One of Clark's first official acts in Congress was joining the
Congressional Armenian Caucus to help to raise awareness of issues
facing both Armenian Americans and Armenians across the globe. Soon
after joining the Caucus, Clark co-sponsored and advocated for the
"Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution," a federal proposal
that calls on President Barack Obama "to work toward equitable,
constructive, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations based upon the
Republic of Turkey's full acknowledgement of the facts and ongoing
consequences of the Armenian Genocide." The resolution Clark supports
also calls for "a fair, just, and comprehensive international
resolution of this crime against humanity."
"The atrocities of the Armenian Genocide are deep, personal wounds,
profoundly impacted by how our community and our country recognizes
history," says Clark. "I'm honored to work with the Armenian community
on many issues of social justice, including recognition of the
Armenian Genocide."
In February 2014, on the 26th commemoration of the anti-Armenian
violence in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, Clark entered the following statement
into the Congressional record: "Over decades, many displaced Armenian
families have sought refuge in America, and are now making vital
contributions in the Fifth District of Massachusetts. Like the
persecution of too many other people before it, the lessons of Sumgait
must never be forgotten. As diverse families of the Commonwealth, and
as Americans, we have a moral obligation to promote tolerance and
justice, and we have a duty to recognize the atrocities that have kept
us from our common goal."
As Congress continues to debate its spending priorities, Clark has
pushed for international humanitarian and economic aid to Armenians.
She requested for at least $5 million in humanitarian and development
program aid to Nagorno-Karabagh, and advocates that it is largely a
self-governing territory. She also requested a suspension of all
military aid to Azerbaijan until its government ceases cross-border
attacks, ends its threat of renewed war, and agrees to regional
conflict settlement through peaceful means.
Clark recently voiced her concern about Azeri aggression, stating that
she was "deeply concerned by the recent military aggression by
Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabagh, including reports of sniper fire
against a Red Cross envoy and Armenian civilians." She added, "This
campaign of violence violates a long-standing ceasefire and will only
lead to additional loss of life. The Armenian people of
Nagorno-Karabagh have succeeded in creating a vibrant democratic
society against long odds, and I stand with them in condemnation of
Azerbaijan's aggression."
Clark additionally advocated for no less than $40 million in the
coming fiscal year for economic aid to Armenia. The aid is intended to
include economic support, narcotics control, law enforcement, and
global health programs.
Clark's vision of partnerships between diverse communities is an
important and unique one. Her optimism for a better future and her
drive to help her community puts her in a position to be a great
advocate for Armenian families in Massachusetts.
Speaking to her commitment to her ongoing partnership with the
Armenian community, Clark wrote in a Congressional declaration,
"Proudly, our diverse district is home to one of the largest Armenian
communities in the nation. Together, our community is a thriving
example of strength and perseverance."
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/09/03/clark-partnership/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
By Contributor on September 3, 2014
By Alisa Sarkisian
In December 2013, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts's Fifth
Congressional District, which is home to one of the largest Armenian
communities in the United States, elected Congresswoman Katherine
Clark to be Ed Markey's successor as their Representative to the
United States House of Representatives. Now, she is once again running
for the seat on the Democratic primary ballot on Sept. 9, against Dr.
Sheldon Schwartz, a retired doctor from Lexington.
Congresswoman Katherine Clark
In her first eight months in Congress, Congresswoman Clark has acted
on a broad array of efforts to support and partner with the Armenian
community. Clark's relentless advocacy in Congress for families in her
home district has made her a critical partner to the diverse
communities of the Fifth District.
One of Clark's first official acts in Congress was joining the
Congressional Armenian Caucus to help to raise awareness of issues
facing both Armenian Americans and Armenians across the globe. Soon
after joining the Caucus, Clark co-sponsored and advocated for the
"Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution," a federal proposal
that calls on President Barack Obama "to work toward equitable,
constructive, and durable Armenian-Turkish relations based upon the
Republic of Turkey's full acknowledgement of the facts and ongoing
consequences of the Armenian Genocide." The resolution Clark supports
also calls for "a fair, just, and comprehensive international
resolution of this crime against humanity."
"The atrocities of the Armenian Genocide are deep, personal wounds,
profoundly impacted by how our community and our country recognizes
history," says Clark. "I'm honored to work with the Armenian community
on many issues of social justice, including recognition of the
Armenian Genocide."
In February 2014, on the 26th commemoration of the anti-Armenian
violence in Sumgait, Azerbaijan, Clark entered the following statement
into the Congressional record: "Over decades, many displaced Armenian
families have sought refuge in America, and are now making vital
contributions in the Fifth District of Massachusetts. Like the
persecution of too many other people before it, the lessons of Sumgait
must never be forgotten. As diverse families of the Commonwealth, and
as Americans, we have a moral obligation to promote tolerance and
justice, and we have a duty to recognize the atrocities that have kept
us from our common goal."
As Congress continues to debate its spending priorities, Clark has
pushed for international humanitarian and economic aid to Armenians.
She requested for at least $5 million in humanitarian and development
program aid to Nagorno-Karabagh, and advocates that it is largely a
self-governing territory. She also requested a suspension of all
military aid to Azerbaijan until its government ceases cross-border
attacks, ends its threat of renewed war, and agrees to regional
conflict settlement through peaceful means.
Clark recently voiced her concern about Azeri aggression, stating that
she was "deeply concerned by the recent military aggression by
Azerbaijan in Nagorno-Karabagh, including reports of sniper fire
against a Red Cross envoy and Armenian civilians." She added, "This
campaign of violence violates a long-standing ceasefire and will only
lead to additional loss of life. The Armenian people of
Nagorno-Karabagh have succeeded in creating a vibrant democratic
society against long odds, and I stand with them in condemnation of
Azerbaijan's aggression."
Clark additionally advocated for no less than $40 million in the
coming fiscal year for economic aid to Armenia. The aid is intended to
include economic support, narcotics control, law enforcement, and
global health programs.
Clark's vision of partnerships between diverse communities is an
important and unique one. Her optimism for a better future and her
drive to help her community puts her in a position to be a great
advocate for Armenian families in Massachusetts.
Speaking to her commitment to her ongoing partnership with the
Armenian community, Clark wrote in a Congressional declaration,
"Proudly, our diverse district is home to one of the largest Armenian
communities in the nation. Together, our community is a thriving
example of strength and perseverance."
http://www.armenianweekly.com/2014/09/03/clark-partnership/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress