WASHINGTON — Support for S. Res. 316, the Armenian Genocide resolution in the United States Senate continues to grow with Senators Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) joining as the newest cosponsors.
“As we approach the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, the Assembly welcomes the support of Senators Lautenberg and Klobuchar,” stated the Armenian Assembly of America’s Congressional Rela-tions Associate Bianka Kadian Dodov.
S. Res. 316 was introduced by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), and calls upon the president of the United States to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide in the president’s annual April 24 statement. S. Res. 316 is currently pending before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. On March 4, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, led by Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA), adopted an identical measure, H. Res. 252, which was introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA).
In addition to the legislation, Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA), also a cosponsor of S. Res. 316, is circulating a letter for her colleagues to send to President Barack Obama urging him to affirm the Armenian Genocide on April 24.
This April, President Barack Obama has an opportunity to further the cause of genocide prevention by affirming the Armenian Genocide. Currently, the Boxer-initiated letter includes Senators Carl Levin (D-MI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), John Ensign (R-NV), Jack Reed (D-RI), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Charles Schumer (D-NY), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI).
