WASHINGTON, DC – Michigan Republican Thaddeus McCotter, a long time advocate for Armenian American issues in the State Senate, has added his name to the over 115 members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“Congressman McCotter comes to Congress with a strong track record of state level advocacy on issues of concern to Armenian Americans and a long history of friendship with the Michigan Armenian community,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We welcome his participation in the Armenian Caucus and look forward, in the coming months and years, to supporting his efforts in the nation’s capital on the many issues of concern to his Armenian American constitutents.”

Rep. McCotter was co-author of Michigan legislation permanently designating April 24th of each year as “Michigan Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923. Public Act 558 of 2002, signed into law by Gov. John Engler in August of 2002, further proclaimed that “the period beginning on the Sunday before [April 24th] through the following Sunday shall be the days of remembrance in this state, in memory of the victims of the genocide, and in honor of the survivors.”

Upon introduction of the measure in 2001, Sen. McCotter stated, “the 1.5 million men, women, and children massacred during the Armenian genocide represented more than one half of all Armenian people. This permanent remembrance will help to ensure our vigilance and serve as a tribute to the victims and their families.”

Rep. McCotter has rallied in support of a wide range of Armenian American issues, working closely with Michigan community leader Edgar Hagopian and the local Armenian National Committee chapter.