WASHINGTON, DC – The Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues today announced that Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Congressman Robert Dold (R-IL) will serve as caucus co-chairs for the 114 th Congress.
“As we enter the centennial year of the Armenian Genocide, we look forward to working with the caucus co-chairs to advance our mutually shared goals,” stated Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
“I am pleased to welcome Congressman Dold as Co-Chair of the Armenian Caucus for the 114th Congress,” stated Congressman Pallone. “He has been an outspoken leader on congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and has consistently fought to advance the U.S. relationship with both Armenia and the Nagorno Karabakh Republic. I look forward to working with him to achieve our goals and observe one hundred years since the Armenian Genocide,” said Congressman Pallone.
“It is an honor to Co-Chair the Congressional Armenian Caucus with Congressman Pallone,” stated Congressman Dold. “I am eager to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship and work with my colleagues in Congress to promote human rights, shine a spotlight on genocide denial, and highlight the added importance of passing the Armenian Genocide resolution on this centennial anniversary,” said Congressman Dold.
The Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues was founded in 1995 by Rep. Pallone and former Congressman John Porter (R-IL), who held Dold’s seat from 1980-2001. The Armenian Caucus serves as a platform for Members of Congress to advocate for issues relating to Armenia and as a mechanism to educate their colleagues about this important U.S. ally. This year will mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, when one and a half million Armenians were systematically slaughtered by the Ottoman Turkish government between 1915 and 1923.