WASHINGTON, DC – The Rabbinical Assembly, an international association of Conservative rabbis, has joined the growing coalition supporting the Congressional resolution marking the 15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“We are pleased and honored to be joined by the Rabbinical Assembly – an association with a proud legacy of over a century of service – in supporting the Genocide Resolution,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The ANCA and Armenian Americans throughout the country value the broad, grassroots support for this measure from so many of our friends in the Jewish American community and leadership – among them the American Jewish League for Israel, American Jewish World Service, American Federation of Jews in Central Europe, Center for Russian Jewry, Consultative Council of Jewish Organizations, Council for Jewish Education, Jewish War Veterans of the USA, Reconstructionist Rabbinical College, and the Union of Orthodox Rabbis.”

Founded in 1901, the Rabbinical Assembly is the international association of Conservative rabbis. The Assembly actively promotes key tenets of Conservative Judaism, publishes learned texts, prayer books and works of Jewish interest; and administers the work of the Committee on Jewish Law and Standards for the Conservative Movement.

Over 95 religious groups, educational organizations, human and civil rights advocates, and other non-governmental institutions are part of the growing coalition in support of the Genocide Resolution.

Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) introduced the Genocide Resolution in the U.S. House on April 10th. 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.