WATERTOWN, MA — The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA ER) today issued the following statement on the tragic passing of Senator Paul David Wellstone. :::::::_ An Armenian American Tribute to a Champion of Human Rights: Senator Paul David Wellstone The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region shares in the country’s loss on the passing of Senator Paul David Wellstone (D-MN) and offers its deepest condolences to the Wellstone family, to the Senator’s dedicated staff, and to the many friends and acquaintances his work has touched over the years. Senator Wellstone was a champion for human rights and a tireless advocate of a moral foreign policy based on American values. Just weeks before his tragic death, Senator Wellstone cosponsored S.Res.307 to commemorate U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention and to help ensure that the lessons of the Armenian Genocide are used in preventing future genocides. In 1999, Senator Wellstone supported the McConnell/Abraham Amendment to defend Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. His vote helped to maintain the restriction on direct U.S. aid to the government of Azerbaijan until it lifted its blockades of Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. Senator Wellstone was always a strong voice against discrimination and aggression wherever they occurred. This was evident in his support for legislation to reduce U.S. aid to Turkey due to Turkey’s blockade of Armenia, occupation of Cyprus, human rights violations, mistreatment of the Kurds, and unfair restrictions on Christian communities. In his 2001 book, “The Conscience of a Liberal: Reclaiming the Compassionate Agenda,” Senator Wellstone wrote, “there is, of course, no guarantee of success. But, politics is not about observations or predictions. Politics is what we create by what we do, what we hope for, and what we dare to imagine.” Senator Paul Wellstone was a man of determined ideals. His faith and vision will be missed. :::::::_