2010 Colorado U.S. Senate Contenders Speak Out on Armenian Genocide Recognition

The two leading contenders for Colorado’s Democratic U.S. Senate nomination, Andrew Romanoff and Michael Bennet, have staked out their views on U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Romanoff, a longstanding and vocal advocate for Armenian Genocide recognition, announced his candidacy on September 16th, challenging Bennet, who has held this Senate seat since he was appointed earlier this year by Colorado’s Governor Bill Ritter to fill the vacancy left when Ken Salazar departed the Senate to serve as Secretary of the Interior. During his service in the Senate, Salazar established a record, along with nearly all the other members in the state’s Congressional delegation, of co-sponsoring the Armenian Genocide Resolution, advocating Armenian priorities, and supporting anti-genocide initiatives.

In an exclusive letter to the Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates [text below], Romanoff, the former Speaker of the Colorado House, reviewed his extensive record in support of Armenian American concerns and pledged, if elected, to be an original co-sponsor of a Senate Armenian Genocide Resolution.

Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates co-editor and ANCA activist Vi Bashian Cooper praised Mr. Romanoff’s steadfast record of support stating; “Speaker Romanoff has repeatedly demonstrated his longstanding loyalty to our community and our abiding wish to have the Armenian Genocide affirmed as United States policy. His actions as a Colorado state legislator, including his service as Speaker of the House, confirm his consistent dedication and honor to Colorado Armenian Americans. Mr. Romanoff is one of those rare shining lights of character and intellect on the Colorado political stage. He will represent our Rocky Mountain state and our national Armenian-American community with distinction should he be elected to the United States Senate.”

Senator Bennet, in letters sent to his Armenian American constituents during his first months in office, addressed the Armenian Genocide as a “heartfelt opinion.” More recently, including in a letter received by RMHA on October 26th, he has been more straightforward, describing the Ottoman Turkish Empire’s systematic slaughter of Armenians as genocide. He further states that, “I certainly understand your frustration with those who would attempt to qualify or recast these deaths as mere casualties of war.” Senator Bennet remains silent as to whether he will co- sponsor the Armenian Genocide Resolution, S.Res.316, currently before the U.S. Senate.

“Armenian Americans from across Colorado welcome our friend Andrew Romanoff’s reaffirmation of his longstanding record in support of Armenian Genocide condemnation and commemoration, and are, as well, very gratified that Senator Bennet has joined with so many of his colleagues in our state’s Congressional delegation in properly recognizing this crime against humanity,” said Jirair Christianian, a Colorado Armenian American businessman and ANCA grassroots activist. “We look to Senator Bennet, in the coming days, to act upon his principled stand by agreeing to serve as an official cosponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.”

Source: ArmRadio -  Original Article

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