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PRESS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ February 8, 2005
Contact:
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Armenian American Democrats Endorse HONDA DNC Vice-Chair
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Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council
1509 S St., NW
Washington, DC 20005
aadlc@aadlc.org
www.aadlc.org
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 8, 2005
Contact: aadlc@aadlc.org
Armenian American Democrats Endorse HONDA
DNC Vice-Chair
WASHINGTON, DC The Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council
(AADLC) today endorsed Rep. Mike Honda in the race for Vice-Chairman
of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). The AADLC is a grassroots
organization of Armenian Americans from across the country dedicated
to the rectifying of past injustices committed against the Armenian
people, as well as strengthening existing U.S.-Armenian relations.
"Rep. Honda has a lifetime record of reaching out to the Armenian
American community in his district and around the nation," stated
AADLC Board Member, Shushan Demirjian. "Working with grassroots
activists, he has helped build strong ethnic coalitions in support of
key community concerns an invaluable skill in the effort to expand
the base of the Democratic Party," Demirjian stated.
Rep. Honda has received wide spread support from ethnic Americans
around the country, including endorsements from a majority of the
Hispanic Members of Congress, members of the National Democratic
Ethnic Coordinating Committee (NDECC), and the Ethiopian American
Democrats in North America (EADNA).
Rep. Honda has been outspoken on a wide range of concerns to the
Armenian American community. During his two terms in office, Honda
has consistently called for proper U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian
Genocide, through letters to the President as well as attending local
and national commemorative programs. Rep. Honda has urged his House
colleagues to "join [him] in recognizing past instances of genocide
and reaffirming our Nation's commitment to never again allow the
perpetration of such atrocities anywhere on this earth." He was an
ardent supporter of H. Res. 193, which reaffirmed America's obligation
to international genocide conventions, and underscored the importance
of recognizing past crimes against humanity, including the Holocaust
and the Armenian, Cambodian, and Rwandan genocides. Honda and his
family were a part of the American internment of Japanese Americans
during World War II.
The Congressman's door has always been open to community concerns,
including efforts to ensure continued U.S. assistance to the Republic
of Armenia, in order to offset Turkish and Azerbaijani economic
blockades. As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,
he has worked to strengthen the U.S. Armenia relationship.
On a related matter, Demirjian noted DNC Chairman candidate, former Vermont
Governor and 2004 presidential candidate Howard Dean, went on record,
in February of last year, in support of U.S. recognition of the
Armenian Genocide.
In an open letter to the Armenian community, he wrote: "There is
today, before the Congress, legislation to reaffirm our nation's
commitment to the aims of the Genocide Convention. Legislators on
both sides of the aisle support this resolution (H.Res.193 and
S.Res.164). They would pass tomorrow, except for the fact that
President Bush is now pressing Congressional leaders to block this
human rights measure for no other reason than that it mentions the
Armenian Genocide. . . The President is wrong to abandon his pledge to
Armenian Americans. I call upon the Congress to pass the Genocide
Resolution."
Party leadership elections will take place at the DNC annual winter
meeting on February 10-12th. To learn more about the Congressman's
race and how you can help go to his website: www.hondaforamerica.com
or email him at hondaforamerica@gmail.com.
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