SPEAKER PELOSI NAMES ARMENIAN CAUCUS MEMBER CONGRESSMAN MCGOVERN CO-CHAIR OF CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS

SPEAKER PELOSI NAMES ARMENIAN CAUCUS MEMBER CONGRESSMAN MCGOVERN CO-CHAIR OF CONGRESSIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS CAUCUS

Armenian Assembly welcomes McGovern’s appointment

The Armenian Assembly of America welcomes Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s (D-CA) recent selection of Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA) Assembly Congressional Relations Associate Bianka Dodov, Rep. Jim McGovern and Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny to replace the late Congressman Tom Lantos, the Co-Founder of the Congressional Human Rights Caucus, as the new Co-Chair, the AAA reports. Chairman Lantos was an ardent defender of human rights throughout his distinguished career in Congress. During the 110th Congress, Lantos strongly supported efforts to end the genocide in Darfur, as well as voted for House Resolution 106, which combats ongoing attempts to deny the historical truth of the Armenian Genocide.

In fact, last October, Lantos, in his role as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee voted in support of this critical human rights bill and stated, “This is one of those events which has to be settled once and for all: 1.5 million utterly innocent Armenian men, women and children were slaughtered. And the Turkish government, until now, has intimidated the Congress of the United States from taking this measure. I think it’s important, at a time when genocides are going on in Darfur and elsewhere, not to be an accomplice in sweeping an important genocide under the rug.”

“I am honored by Speaker Pelosi’s decision and look forward to working with my colleagues to address critical issues facing us today,” said Congressman McGovern. “From ending the current genocidal campaign in Darfur and preventing future genocides by reaffirming the historical truth of the Armenian Genocide, I want to ensure that this important body carries forward the legacy of the great Tom Lantos,” McGovern continued. McGovern, like Lantos, strongly supports a wide range of human rights legislation, including H.Res.106. In addition, he is an active member of the Armenian Caucus, serves as Vice-Chairman of the House Rules Committee and is a member of the House Budget Committee.

“Congressman McGovern understands the important role Congress can play in not only bringing attention to human rights abuses, but also in shaping solutions to address them. The Armenian Assembly is committed to working with the Caucus on issues of mutual concern,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

AZG Armenian Daily #127, 04/07/2008