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From our nation's Capitol and across America and the world, Armenians and non-Armenians alike commemorated the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian Assembly of America.

On Capitol Hill, under the leadership of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, co-chaired by Congressmen Frank Pallone Jr. (D-NJ) and Michael Grimm (R-NY), scores of Members on a bi-partisan basis observed the 98th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide with an evening program on April 24th.

With views of the Capitol in the background, the Armenian Genocide Observance took place on the top floor of the Senate Hart Office Building, and was held with the support of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia and the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and in conjunction with Armenian American organizations, including the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly. Sarig Armenian, an attorney and a former congressional staffer, served at the Master of Ceremonies.

In addition to the Co-Chairs of the Armenian Caucus, the following legislators participated in the evening's program: Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), along with Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Jim Costa (D-CA), Vice-Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus Joe Crowley (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs Eliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Janice Hahn (D-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), John Sarbanes (D-MD), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), John Tierney (D-MA), Dina Titus (D-NV), and Niki Tsongas (D-MA).

"The Armenian Assembly appreciates the bipartisan, bicameral solidarity of our congressional friends," stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We will continue to raise awareness, fight against genocide denial and urge all people of goodwill to stand with us to ensure that genocide is prevented in the future."

In addition to remarks by Members of Congress, the Republic of Armenia's Ambassador to the United States, His Excellency Tatoul Markarian and Nagorno Karabakh Representative to the United States Robert Avetisyan rounded out the program's speakers. Archbishop Vicken Aykazian, the Legate of the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America gave the opening prayer, and the benediction was given by Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern United States.

Throughout the country from California to Maine and across the globe from Jerusalem to Argentina, communities paused to remember man's inhumanity to man. In addition, the Administration sent officials to the Armenian Genocide commemorations held in Yerevan and Istanbul while in the United States, the Florida Senate passed its first resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

In the week leading up to the Capitol Hill Commemoration, members of the Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) held an Advocacy Day to discuss a number of key issues, including support for U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. The CEEC is comprised of 18 nationwide organizations, including the Armenian Assembly and represents more than 20 million Americans.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.