Radanovich-Schiff Resolution to Recognize Armenian Genocide Passes House Judiciary Committee Today
WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced today that the House Judiciary Committee passed H. Res. 193, a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide. Rep. Schiff and Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA) introduced the resolution on April 10, 2003.
"This is a huge victory!" Rep. Schiff said today, after speaking out in the House Judiciary Committee against a potential amendment to remove a mention of the Armenian Genocide from the resolution. "A unanimous vote by the House Judiciary Committee to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution is a human rights triumph. The Congress of the United States may be finally on its way towards recognizing the slaughter of 1.5 million Armenians for what it was: genocide."
On April 24, 1915, the first genocide of the 20th century began. Between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children were killed at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, which is now modern-day Turkey. Though Turkey rose from the ruins of the Ottoman Empire in 1923, the Turkish government refuses to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Instead, government officials have launched a sweeping campaign of denial and revisionism. The United States government has also yet to formally recognize the events of 1915-1923 as "genocide."
Since taking office in 2000, Rep. Schiff has actively pursed the full recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the United States. Schiff has urged his House colleagues each year to recognize the Armenian Genocide and he spearheaded a letter this spring to President Bush requesting that he honor his campaign pledge to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.
The Radanovich-Schiff resolution was introduced to coincide with the 88th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. Rep. Schiff took former Rep. David Bonior's position as a lead co-sponsor upon Rep. Bonior's retirement from Congress
Rep. Schiff represents California’s 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City.