Glen Rock, NJ- Congressman Scott Garrett met with activists from his district on April 16, 2009 in his local office to discuss various issues including the current situation in Darfur and the Armenian Genocide resolution.

During the meeting ANCA-ER Director and Genocide Intervention Network (GI-Net) Carl Wilkens Fellow Karine Birazian, Lindsay Mulford and Varun Bhasin discussed the urgency of budgeting appropriate funds in the request of $50 million to support peacekeepers and the new diplomatic team under the Special Envoy for Sudan.
Birazian also thanked the Congressman for his support of H. Res. 252, the Armenian Genocide Resolution and urged him to encourage his colleagues to support the measure.

“We commend Congressman Garrett for taking a vital role to stop the genocide in Darfur as well as end Turkey’s ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide,” commented Birazian. “Through our local efforts, we can truly make a difference on a federal level for action to be taken.”

Bhasin and Mulford who are part of the Students Taking Action Now Darfur (STAND) Chapter have worked to spearhead efforts at Ramsey High School. “We feel that it is our moral obligation to get involved, and we want to see people taking action,” commented Bhasin during the meeting. Under the guidance of STAND coordinator and Social Studies Supervisor Stacie Poelstra, the committee has been instrumental with engaging students in making their voices heard. On April 30th, shortly after Obama’s 100 days in office Ramsey students will organize opportunities for further engagements such as signing letters to influential members that can take action.

“I am honored that the Congressman took the time to meet with us and gain awareness of what he can do in Washington to help people in Darfur,” commented Mulford. As a person in a position to enact change, we hope that Congressman Garrett will be compelled to continue to take action on behalf of the citizens of Darfur. We truly hope that Congressman Garrett will continue to stay on top of the situation by reiterating the urgency of action.”

Representative Garrett has been active with human rights issue during his tenure in Congress. On multiple occasions he has spoken on the House Floor about the importance of genocide recognition, and has supported several measures for further assistance in Darfur. Last April 24th, in his statements, he recognized Alice Shnorhokian, an Armenian Genocide survivor in his district who had visited with the Congressman in his DC office.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

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Photo Caption: Left to Right: ANCA ER Director Karine Birazian, Congressman Scott Garrett, STAND students Lindsay Mulford and Varun Bhasin.