WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) launched a nationwide postcard campaign this week, urging Congressional leaders to take action on Genocide legislation marking the 15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention.
The postcards, which feature moving photos from the Armenian Genocide, Jewish Holocaust, Rwandan and Cambodian genocides as well as genocidal crimes committed against Ukrainians and Kurds, urge legislators to “help end the cycle of genocide” by taking swift action in support of the Genocide Resolution, H.Res.193 and S.Res.164. Specifically, they call on House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) to schedule a vote on the measures in their respective chambers. In a letter accompanying the postcards, ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian urges individuals to also visit the ANCA website – www.anca.org – and send a free ANCA WebFax urging their Senators and U.S. Representative to support passage of the measure.
The Genocide resolution was introduced in the Senate in June, 2003 by Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and currently has 35 cosponsors. Its companion House measure, H.Res.193, led by Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), was adopted unanimously by the House Judiciary Committee in May and has 111 cosponsors. The resolution cites the importance of remembering past crimes against humanity, including the Armenian Genocide, Holocaust, Cambodian and Rwandan genocides, in an effort to stop future atrocities. Support for the measure has been widespread, with a diverse coalition of over 100 ethnic, religious, civil and human rights organizations calling for its passage, including American Values, National Organization for Women, Sons of Italy, NAACP, Union of Orthodox Rabbis, and the National Council of La Raza.
Over the past week, Armenian Americans across the country began receiving the postcards through the mail and at local community functions. The postcards were made possible through a generous donation by grammy-nominated alternative metal band “System of a Down.” Since its inception, the group has rallied support for Armenian Genocide awareness and recognition, both through their music and activism. Their song “P.L.U.C.K.” highlights and condemns the ongoing Turkish government campaign of Armenian Genocide denial. In November of 2000, System held a special benefit concert in support of Genocide recognition in Los Angeles and has featured ANCA Congressional WebFax campaigns on their internet site.
“We have been encouraged by the strong early response to this campaign, with requests for postcards coming in from all over the country,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “This Thanksgiving weekend, we encourage all friends of the Armenian Cause to take a moment to visit the ANCA website – www.anca.org – and order free postcards on-line to share with their families and friends.”
Additional postcards for friends and family or for campus distribution can be obtained by contacting the ANCA national or regional headquarters:
ANCA National Headquarters – anca@anca.org, (202) 775-1918
ANCA Eastern Region Office – ancaer@anca.org, (617) 923-1918
ANCA Western Region Office – ancawr@anca.org, (818) 500-1918
Please remember to specify your name, address and quantity of postcards requested.
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