July 7, 2003

ANC Activists Discuss Genocide Legislation with Rep. Barbara Lee

Washington, DC- Armenian National Committee activists met last week with Representative Barbara Lee (D-CA) to discuss ongoing efforts in Congress to secure passage of the Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193). The resolution, which has over 110 cosponsors, commemorates the 15th anniversary of the U.S. ratification of the Genocide Convention. It specifically cites the Armenian Genocide as an example of past genocides, along with the Holocaust and the Rwandan and Cambodian genocides.

During the meeting, Bay Area ANC member Alina Azizian along with four other activists, including ANCA Government Affairs Director Abraham Niziblian, urged Congresswoman Lee to help assure the passage of H.Res.193. The Congresswoman was hopeful that with continued community activism, the resolution would be brought to the floor for a vote. On May 21st of this year, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed H.Res.193. It now awaits the decision of the House leadership to schedule a vote on the House floor. The ANCA delegation also urged her to support H.R.528, which would permanently normalize trade relations with Armenia.

"Rep Lee has been a consistent supporter of Armenian Genocide recognition and we appreciate her strong support for H.Res.193," explained Azizian. "We look forward to continuing to work with her on a range of issues of concern to the Armenian-American community."

An active member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, Rep Lee joined with 167 of the House colleagues this year in urging President Bush to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as "genocide." Over the past several years, Rep Lee has attended the ANCA's Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance. She represents Alameda County, which includes Berkeley and Oakland.

Alina Azizian is currently one of nine students from across the United States participating in the ANCA Leo Sarkisian internship program. She is a student at the University of California, Berkeley and an active member of the Bay Area ANC chapter. The Leo Sarkissian internship program, now in it's 19th year, is designed to provide Armenian American student leaders and activists an opportunity to learn the vital skills to advance Armenian American concerns on the local, state and national level.