Author: Armenian Assembly of America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Two resolutions in the U.S. House of Representatives, H.Res.452 and H.Res.190 regarding U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Artsakh relations, continue to garner support, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly). Both resolutions were introduced by Representative Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair, along with fellow leaders of the Armenian Caucus.

H.Res.452 has bipartisan support with 47 cosponsors with three additional cosponsors joining in recent weeks: Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Scott Peters (D-CA), and Dina Titus (D-NV). H.Res.452 celebrates a century of United States-Armenia relations, the enduring friendship of the American and Armenian peoples, the strong bonds between the two governments, and the wide array of contributions that Americans of Armenian heritage continue to make in the United States.

H.Res.190 enjoys the support of 31 Members of Congress, with its most recent cosponsors, Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Lori Trahan (D-MA), joining in the last two months. H.Res.190 encourages: 1) visits and communication between officials from the United States and Artsakh at all levels; 2) open communication, meetings, and other direct contacts between officials of Artsakh and the executive and legislative branches of the United States Government, representatives of state and local governments, and representatives of American civil society; and 3) calls for the full and direct participation of the democratically-elected Government of the Republic of Artsakh in all OSCE and other negotiations regarding its future.

“We thank the Members of Congress for their support as we continue to advance U.S.-Armenia, U.S.-Artsakh relations,” stated Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan. “We call upon our grassroots activists to contact their respective Members of Congress to cosponsor these resolutions, and urge the House of Representatives to adopt them,” added Khaloyan.

H.Res.452 is cosponsored by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Armenian Caucus Vice-Chair Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA), Rep. Julia Brownley, (D-CA), Rep. Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. Gil Cisneros Jr. (D-CA), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), Rep. Ted Deutch (D-FL), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. James Langevin (D-RI), Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. Scott Peters, (D-CA), Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA), Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Rep. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA), Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Rep. Norma Torres (D-CA), Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA), Rep. David Trone (D-MD), and Rep. Ron Wright (R-TX).

H.Res.190 is cosponsored by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA), Armenian Caucus Vice-Chairs Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rep. Peter King (R-NY), along with Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Rep. David Cicilline (D-RI), Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA) Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL), Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rep. Haley Stevens (D-MI), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Rep. Lori Trahan (D-MA), and Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-IN).

Both resolutions are pending before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Take action now and ask your U.S. Representative to cosponsor H.Res.452 and H.Res.190.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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NR# 2020-28

Washington, D.C. – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) welcomed a bipartisan letter to U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo urging additional U.S. assistance to Lebanon “to address the immediate humanitarian crisis facing the country, aid in the recovery effort – including medical care and treatment for the injured and efforts for cleanup of the blast site and other impacted areas.”

The Assembly-backed letter was spearheaded by Members of the U.S.-Lebanon Friendship Caucus including Representatives Darin LaHood (R-IL), Charlie Crist (D-FL), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Garret Graves (R-LA), and Donna Shalala (D-FL). The letter garnered the bipartisan support of 89 Members, comprised of 47 Members of the Armenian Caucus, including caucus leaders Representatives Frank Pallone, Jr (D-NJ), Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

The letter also stated in part: “Given the vast economic impact from the damage to the Beirut port, the disruption of supplies for imported goods, and the loss of almost 80 percent of Lebanon’s grain and wheat reserves, continued American commitment to the Lebanese people will help address the estimated billions of dollars in losses and support long term stability in Lebanon and the region.”

“Lebanon is facing a major humanitarian crisis in the midst of a global pandemic. As a Member of Lebanese descent, I commend the Department of State for the $15 million we have pledged in relief. However, more will likely be needed to truly address the long term impacts the Beirut explosion will have and help the people of Lebanon,” said Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL).

“The horrific explosion in Beirut earlier this week and its impact have been felt across the globe. We welcome and commend this bipartisan initiative to ensure additional and immediate humanitarian relief,” stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “Lebanon holds a special place in our hearts and minds with its religious, educational, cultural and social institutions all serving the Armenian community and beyond. It is inspiring to see everyone coming together to help in whatever way they can. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Lebanon,” Ardouny continued.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.