NEW YORK, NY — Congressman Tim Bishop pledged to cosponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res.252, during a meeting held at his district office in Coram, NY organized by the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region. Constituents attending the meeting included ANCA activists Greg Derian with his sons James and Christopher, Seta Bezirdjian-Steul, Hrant Antreasyan, Lorraine Finley, Kent Terchunian and Aram Terchunian.

“It was very important for me to meet with my constituents and learn more about the perspective of the Armenian-American community. After talking with my constituents and learning from them, I have decided to co-sponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution. I appreciate the work that ANCA does to provide information about issues of importance to the Armenian-American community” said Congressman Bishop.

“We are thrilled Congressman Bishop has once again cosponsored the Armenian Genocide resolution and we thank him for his continued support,” said Garo Manjikian ANCA Eastern Region Director. “We continue to build 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. In addition, each expressed the importance of why such a crime against humanity should be recognized, whether it is America standing up for its own moral values or to prevent future genocides. “It was a pleasure to meet the congressman, discuss the issues I’m most passionate about, and hear him pledge to cosponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution” said Derian. “I was also grateful for my two sons to have witnessed that.”

H.Res. 252 currently has 144 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 (left to right) Aram Terchunian, James Derian, Christopher Derian, Lorraine Finley, Seta Bezirdjian-Steul, Congressman Tim Bishop, Garo Manjikian, Lorrain, Hrant Antreasyan, Greg Derian, Kent Terchunian