MASSAPEQUA, NY — Congressman Peter King pledged to cosponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.252, during a meeting held at his district office in Massapequa, NY organized by the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region. Constituents attending the meeting included ANCA activists Robert Odabashian, Susan Azarian, and Shackay and Sevan Angacian who were joined by ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director Garo Manjikian.

Congressman King had last cosponsored the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the 106th Congress more than ten years ago. “We are thrilled to have Congressman King as a cosponsor again,” said Garo Manjikian ANCA Eastern Region Director. “The addition of Congressman King to the growing list of cosponsors builds our momentum for full passage of the resolution on the House floor.”

Constituents attending the meeting had all been directly impacted by the Genocide and shared their personal family history of survival with the Congressman. Also discussed at the meeting was the safety and security of Nagorno-Karabakh and the need for increasing foreign aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh. “As a constituent in Representative Peter King’s district as well as his former Congressional intern on Capitol Hill, I am very pleased that the Congressman has chosen to co-sponsor H.Res. 252,” said Sevan Angacian. “His decisive demeanor and strong moral compass have proven once again to me that he is an upstanding individual and I appreciate his support greatly on matters so close to my heart – not only as an Armenian, but as an American who strongly believes that the truth must prevail above all else”

H.Res. 252 currently has 147 cosponsors and passed in the House Foreign Affairs Committee with a vote 23-22 on March 4th 2010. While widespread support already exists to pass the resolution on the full floor, the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region will continue work with Armenian-American communities and Congressional Members throughout the region to further this momentum.

Photo (L to R) Sevan Angacian, Garo Manjikian, Rep. Peter King, Shackay Angacian, Robert Odabashian