WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today welcomed Speaker Dennis Hastert’s decision to schedule a vote this week on the Cambodian Genocide Resolution, H.Con.Res.238, a measure honoring the victims of this crime and welcoming the establishment of an international criminal tribunal to bring to justice its perpetrators.

“We join with our friends in the Cambodian American community in welcoming Speaker Hastert’s decision to bring legislation on the Cambodian Genocide to a vote on the House floor,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA. “We welcome the timely adoption of this important measure in support of a just resolution of this horrific crime, and in this same spirit, once again call on the Speaker to bring Armenian Genocide legislation to the House floor at the first opportunity.”

Speaker Hastert has, in the past twelve months, scheduled House floor votes on five separate pieces of legislation dealing with specific instances of genocide in Cambodia, Darfur, Ukraine, Bosnia, and the Holocaust. In the last Congress, the U.S. House adopted legislation recognizing the Rwandan Genocide. The Speaker has not, however, agreed to allow a vote on legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide, despite the fact that these measures, collectively, enjoy the backing of over 170 cosponsors and were overwhelmingly adopted by the International Relations Committee.

Listed below are the genocide-related resolutions that Speaker Hastert has scheduled for votes on the floor of the U.S. House within the past year:

Cambodian Genocide: On December 14, 2005, the U.S. House is scheduled to vote on the Cambodian Genocide Resolution, H.Con.Res.238, a measure welcoming efforts to secure a just resolution of this crime against humanity. (At the time of its adoption, this measure will have 34 cosponsors.)

Darfur Genocide: On July 11, 2005, the U.S. House adopted a resolution, H.Res.333, regarding the genocide currently taking place in the Darfur region of Sudan. (At the time of its adoption, this measure had 26 cosponsors.) The ANCA supports the adoption of a stronger measure, the Darfur Peace and Accountability Act, H.R.3127, which is currently under consideration at the Committee level.

Holocaust: On January 25, 2005, the U.S. House adopted a resolution, H.Res.39, urging educators to teach the lessons of the Holocaust in order to prevent future genocides. (At the time of its adoption, this measure had 78 cosponsors.)

Ukrainian Genocide: On November 16, 2005, the U.S. House adopted a resolution, H.R.562, recognizing the Ukrainian Famine Genocide and authorizing for the creation of a monument honoring its victims. (At the time of its adoption, this measure had 36 cosponsors.)

Bosnian Genocide: On June 27, 2005, the U.S. House adopted a resolution, H.Res.199, regarding the genocide in Bosnia and Herzogovina from 1992 to 1995. (At the time of its adoption, this measure had 39 cosponsors.)