WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved S.Res. 410, affirming the U.S. Record on the Armenian Genocide,

410, affirming the U.S. Record on the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). In addition to the Armenian Genocide resolution, a bill commemorating the 20th anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide was also adopted. The Assembly supported the passage of both resolutions and publicly called on the Armenian American community and all Americans to contact their Senators.

Chairman Menendez Speaking at the 99th Armenian Genocide Commemoration on Capitol Hill, April 9, 2014

S. Res. 410, the Armenian Genocide resolution, was introduced by Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), a long-time champion of Armenian issues and powerful voice for justice, along with Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), who previously served as Co-Chair of the Armenian Caucus during his tenure in the House of Representatives. In addition to Menendez and Kirk, the resolution was cosponsored by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Edward Markey (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Richard Durbin (D-IL).

"We applaud the leadership of Chairman Menendez," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny who was on hand when the resolution was adopted. "Today's vote reaffirms America's commitment to genocide awareness and prevention," added Ardouny. "As Chairman Menendez said, the Armenian Genocide is a fact and one cannot simply pick and choose their genocides."

Prior to today's vote, the Assembly sent a letter to all Members of the Committee which read in part: "As we reflect on the continuing problem of genocide, certainly the 20th century stands out as one marred by mass killings on a scale never before seen in history. From the Armenian Genocide at the start of the century, to which Adolf Hitler infamously stated: "Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?" before he unleashed the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust - to the killing fields of the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia, the atrocities in Rwanda, and now in the 21st century, the decimation of the population of Darfur, the trail of crimes against humanity painfully continues."
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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Assembly Board Member Anthony Barsamian, Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, and Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny at the 99th Armenian Genocide Commemoration on Capitol Hill, April 9, 2014
The Armenian Genocide resolution was adopted by a vote of 12-5. Senators voting in favor were Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Richard Durbin (D-IL), John McCain (R-AZ), Tom Udall (D-NM), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Edward Markey (D-MA). Senators voting against were Ranking Member Bob Corker (R-TN), James Risch (R-ID), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Jeff Flake (R-AZ), and John Barrasso (R-WY). Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) was not present.

NR: # 2014-021

NR: # 2014-021