WASHINGTON- The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Friday welcomed remarks by U.S. House Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsors Adam Schiff (D-CA) and George Radanovich (R-CA) in support of recently introduced Senate legislation recognising that crime against humanity.

In a joint statement issued earlier Friday, Reps. Schiff and Radanovich noted:

"We commend our colleagues in the Senate for their prudence in introducing this vital resolution. The facts are clear and there is no question that the acts of the Ottoman Empire almost a century ago resulted in the systematic elimination of 1.5 million Armenians. The United States has a moral obligation to recognize the heinous acts of genocide and all human rights abuses that have occurred without that recognition we are doomed to repeat the atrocities of the past."

"We look forward to working with our colleagues in the House and Senate as well as the Obama Administration on the passage of an Armenian Genocide Resolution in both houses of Congress."

The Senate Armenian Genocide resolution was introduced by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV) and is similar to the House measure (H.Res.252), which has over 130 cosponsors.

Both resolutions call upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide. The resolutions also include extensive findings from past U.S. hearings, resolutions and Presidential statements on the Armenian Genocide from 1916 through the present, as well as references to statements by international bodies and organizations.

"We join with Congressmen Schiff and Radanovich in welcoming the introduction of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the U.S. Senate by Robert Menendez and John Ensign, and look forward, in the coming days, to working with leaders and legislators in both houses of Congress toward the timely adoption of this human rights measure," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.

Anti-genocide activists can support passage of the House and Senate measures by encouraging their elected officials to cosponsor the measure.