04/25/12 - Constituent response to Diane Hekimian -

Dear Ms. Hekimian,

Thank you for contacting me in support of H. Res. 304, the Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution . As the son of immigrants who fled communist Eastern Europe immediately after World War II, the recognition of human rights violations suffered by the Armenia n people are of utmost importance to me. My father survived incarceration in the Soviet Gulag before coming to the United States, and I understand the suffering that can be inflicted on citizens by their own governments.

On December 13, 2011, the House of Representatives, with my support, adopted H. Res. 306, the Return of Churches resolution which calls upon Turkey to return all stolen Armenian Church property that was confiscated by the government during and after the Armenian Genocide. On April 25, 2012, an Armenian Genocide Commemoration was held in remembrance of the victims and acknowledging the survivors of this tragic time.

H. Res. 304 was introduced on June 14, 2011 and was referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The resolution calls upon the President to ensure that U.S. foreign policy reflects understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing , and genocide documented in the U.S. record relating to the Armenian Genocide. The resolution also asks the President to characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide and to recall the proud history of U.S. intervention in opposi tion to the genocide in his annual message commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

Because I am not a member of this Committee, I will not have the opportunity to vote on this legislation unless it is considered by the full House of Representatives. Please know, though, I will carefully consider your input as the issue progresses.

Again, thank you for providing me with the opportunity to share my concerns regarding the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms. I am grateful for your continued advocacy on behalf of the Armenian people. I hope that you will feel free to contact me on any issue of importance to you or your family in the future.

11-16-11 - Robert Mangas from Dickstein Shapiro LLP e-mailed John Dutton from Representative Harris's office on behalf of the government of Turkey regarding urging support for H. R. 2362

03-16-12 - Albert Wynn from Dickstein Shapiro LLP e-mailed Katherine Tate from Representative Harris's office on behalf of the government of Turkey regarding Meeting Request