ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED BY CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE NA

Continent: North America, Asia and The Middle East Links: www.anca.org www.aaainc.org ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTION TO BE CONSIDERED BY CONGRESSIONAL SUBCOMMITTEE ------- Status: ------- The Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.398) is scheduled for consideration next week by a key Congressional subcommittee. The House International Relations Committee Subcommittee on International Operations, chaired by Rep. Chris Smith, is set to consider this legislation as early as September 12th. A favorable vote in Subcommittee will help move H.Res.398 to the House floor for a vote. Its defeat in a Subcommittee vote would seriously hinder its progress. ---------- Backgound: ---------- H.Res.398 calls upon the President to ensure that 1) U.S. diplomats dealing with human rights are educated about the Armenian Genocide, and 2) Urges the President to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as genocide in the President's annual April 24th address. This important human rights legislation was introduced by Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA) and Minority Whip David Bonior (D-MI). It has been cosponsored by over 135 Representatives. Last week, Dennis Hastert, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, stated that it was his intent to bring H.Res.398 to a vote on the House floor in September. This legislation faces powerful opposition from the Turkish government, the State Department, and Turkey's allies in the defense and oil industries. According to a September 5th Turkish Anadolu Press Agency report, the Armenian Genocide resolution will be a key topic of discussion during a meeting between Turkish President Sezer and President Clinton tomorrow. Specifically, the press report cites that "Sezer will request Clinton to launch initiatives to prevent the Armenian draft being adopted by the U.S. Congress and emphasize the sensitivity that Turkey feels over this issue." SERJ'S VIEW: THE HOUSE SUBCOMMITTEE HAS PASSED THE HOUSE RESOLUTION 398 ON THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, WHICH MEANS IT WILL GO TO THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, NEXT FOR A VOTE. TO THOSE WHO HAVE CONTINUED TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION AND OUR EFFORTS, THANK YOU. -SERJ CONTACT INFO: -------- Action: -------- Call or fax members of the Subcommittee on International Operations to support the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.398). Specifically, ask them to 1) speak during the Subcommittee meeting in favor of the Armenian Genocide resolution and 2) vote in favor of H.Res.398 during that meeting. HOUSE INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE MEMBERS (All Tel. and Fax #'s are in the (202) area code.) Member of Congress Staff Tel. Fax Sorted by state: ------------------------------------------------------------------ Member of Congress Staff Tel. Fax ------------------------------------------------------------------ Sorted by state: Earl Hilliard (D-AL) Tunstall Wilson 225-2665 226-0772 Matt Salmon (R-AZ) Steve Chucry 225-2635 225-3405 Brad Sherman (D-CA) Don McDonald 225-5911 225-5879 Thomas Tancredo (R-CO) Scott Gast 225-7882 226-4623 Cynthia McKinney (D-GA) Peter Hickey 225-1605 226-1273 Henry Hyde (R-IL) Blaine Aaron 225-4561 225-1166 William Delahunt (D-MA) Cliff Stammerman 225-3111 225-5658 Chris Smith (R-NJ) Joseph Rees 225-3765 225-7768 Peter King (R-NY) Kevin Fogarty 225-7896 226-2279 Gregory Meeks (D-NY) Faith Blackburne 225-3461 226-4169 Bill Goodling (R-PA) Christine O'Connor 225-5836 226-1000 Eni Faleomavaega (D-Samoa)Enere Levi 225-8577 225-8757 To find out the name of your Representative, or to learn more information about how to support H.Res.398, visit: www.anca.org or www.aaainc.org. RESOURCES: Sample Letter to Members of the House International Operations Subcommittee The Honorable _________ _____________ U.S. House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 Re: Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.398) Dear Representative _______________: I am writing to you, as a member of the International Operations Subcommittee, to ask you to speak and vote in favor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.398). This legislation is scheduled to come before your Subcommittee as early as September 12th. Its adoption would place the U.S. House on record calling upon the President to ensure that 1) U.S. diplomats dealing with human rights are educated about the Armenian Genocide, and 2) Urges the President to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as genocide in the President's annual April 24th address. Thank you for your attention to this pressing human rights issue and for your support for issues of concern to Armenian Americans. Thank you. Sincerely, (Your Name) (Address) (Telephone) (Fax) (Email if applicable) Sample Phone Script for Members of the House International Operations Subcommittee (The phone will be answered by a receptionist. Please note at the outset if you are a constituent.) Hello. My name is ___________, and I am a voter from ___________. I am calling to ask you to speak and vote in favor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.398) when it is considered by the International Operations Subcommittee. Your support for H.Res.398 means a great deal to me and my family. Please share my concerns with the Representative and inform me regarding how you voted on this important human rights issue. (Provide mailing address or email.) Thank you.

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