WASHINGTON, DC - Almost 90 percent of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues was re-elected last Tuesday, thereby guaranteeing a strong force in the House of Representatives supporting issues of concern to Armenian Americans. Of the four Members who were defeated, at least two were replaced by strong supporters of and are expected to become members of the Caucus.

"We are delighted that so many current Caucus members will return to the 107th Congress. We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who assisted us so ably in the past but, due to retirement or defeat, will not be serving in Congress next year," said Van Krikorian, the Assembly's Board of Directors' Chairman.

"These core members are invaluable as we reach out to newly elected Representatives. We count on their advocacy and support for our agenda in the coming session. It is a challenging one: support for the Nagorno-Karabagh peace process, expanded US support for Armenia's political and economic development, aid to Nagorno Karabagh, retention of Section 907, US advocacy for removal of the Azerbaijani-Turkish blockades, increased US-Armenia ties, NATO-Armenian military cooperation, US affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, and promotion of new US policies with Turkey," he said.

Of those Caucus members not re-elected to the House of Representatives, Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) ran for the US Senate against Spence Abraham and was elected. Robert Weygand (D-RI) and Bob Franks (R-NJ) also ran for the Senate but were defeated. Two Representatives -- Matthew Martinez (R-CA) and Michael Forbes (D-NY) -- lost in their primary races. Rush Holt (D-NJ) was defeated by Dick Zimmer (R-NJ) who was a Member of the Caucus when he served in Congress. Caucus Co-chairman John Edward Porter (R-IL) retired.

Since its inception in 1995, the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues has had many legislative successes, most notably in fighting to maintain aid and support for Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, as well as Section 907.

Each spring the Caucus organizes speeches on the House floor to commemorate the Armenian Genocide. This October, a Genocide Resolution calling on the Administration to affirm the American record was expected to win a floor vote. However, minutes before the process was due to start, Speaker Dennis Hastert pulled it off the agenda at the request of President Clinton. The President's request followed weeks of Turkish government threats of retaliation if the Resolution was passed.

Coincidentally, the French Senate, undeterred by Turkish threats, passed a Genocide Resolution November 7, the same day as the US election.

The Co-Chairmen -- Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) (who replaces retiring Congressman John Edward Porter (R-IL) -- work diligently to ensure members are up to date on all regional developments. During the 106th Congress, the Caucus grew to 97 members.

The coordinated efforts of this diverse bipartisan coalition of congressional friends of Armenia and Karabagh elevated Armenian-American issues to a much higher profile on Capitol Hill, in the Administration and outside the U.S. Government.

"I am pleased that so many current members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues retained their seats and we look forward to welcoming aboard many of the newly elected Representatives," said Caucus Co-Chair, Representative Frank Pallone. "The Caucus is a bipartisan body which will continue to play a leadership role in bringing issues of concern to the Armenian-American community to the attention of Congress, the Administration and the American people."

"Many of these issues concern social justice and so are rightly of concern to all Americans. We look forward to the new challenges and opportunities facing us in the 107th Congress," he added.

Editor's note: For a complete list of members of Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, interested persons can contact the Armenian Assembly of America; (202) 393-3434; e-mail: www.aaainc.org