WASHINGTON, DC—The Friends Committee on National Legislation (FCNL), the highly regarded Quaker public interest lobby, today joined the growing coalition of over ninety religious, educational, ethnic, and human and civil rights groups supporting Congressional legislation commemorating the 15th anniversary of U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
The FCNL Legislative Secretary, Bridget Moix, in an August 14th letter expressing her organization’s support for this legislation, noted that the FCNL is “very encouraged to hear of the progress this important legislation to help end genocide is making.” Since its founding in 1943, the FCNL has worked through its nationwide network of thousands of Quakers and like-minded people to advocate for changes in national policy and public opinion.
“Armenian Americans welcome the support of our Quaker friends for the Genocide Resolution and look forward to continuing our work with the Friend’s Committee and all the members of the growing coalition in support of this legislation,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.
Among the key elements of the FCNL’s agenda are promoting arms control and disarmament, encouraging nonviolent dispute resolution, and prioritizing government spending that addresses human needs and is conducive to a healthy environment. In support of its goals, the FCNL meets with legislators, offers Congressional testimony, and regularly provides briefing materials to lawmakers. FCNL works in coalition with many organizations that share similar concerns. For additional information about the Friends Committee on National Legislation (Quakers), visit: http://www.fcnl.org.
The Genocide Resolution was introduced in the House on April 10th 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). With 110 cosponsors, the legislation (H.Res.193) was unanimously adopted by the Judiciary Committee on May 21st and currently awaits consideration by the full House. Senators John Ensign (R-NV) and Jon Corzine (D-NJ) introduced the Senate version of the resolution (S.Res.164), which currently has 34 co-sponsors. Both the Senate and House versions specifically cite the Armenian Genocide as well as the Holocaust and the Cambodian and Rwandan genocides as instances of past genocide.
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