Peach State Becomes 6th to Recognize Artsakh’s Freedom
ATLANTA, Ga.—The Georgia State House adopted legislation
recognizing the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) and calling upon the
international community “to give appropriate recognition to the
Nagorno-Karabagh Republic as a free, independent, and sovereign democracy,”
reported the Armenian National Committee of America-Eastern Region (ANCA-ER).
‘Thank you Georgia!’
The Georgia resolution was spearheaded by Representatives
Pat Gardner (D-Atlanta) and Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge), both broadly
respected members of the legislature with strong records on education and human
rights related issues. The legislators
worked closely with ANC of Georgia advocates Dr. Sarkis Agasarkisian and
Harutyun Agasarkisian, who have—for more than a decade—worked with federal,
state, and local officials on issues dealing with the Armenian Genocide and
broader concerns dealing with Armenia and Artsakh.
“The Georgia Armenian community applauds the leadership
of representatives Gardner and Douglas in securing Georgia’s recognition of
Nagorno-Karabagh, affirming the universality of the democratic rights and
freedoms that are the birthright of Americans and all the citizens of the
world,” said Agasarkisian. “Having taken
this proud and principled stand, we now look to other American states to join
with Georgia in recognizing Artsakh.”
The measure, H.R. 1580, which was brought to the floor
for a vote on March 2 and overwhelmingly adopted on a bipartisan basis, makes
Georgia the sixth U.S. state to pass legislation recognizing the
Nagorno-Karabagh Republic, joining California, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts,
and Rhode Island.
In a series of whereas clauses, H.R. 1580 sets forth the
facts regarding Karabagh and its enduring struggle for freedom. The measure, in addition to calling for
formal international recognition of Artsakh’s independence, recognizes the
“sacrifices, dedication, and resolve shown by the people of the republic in the
face of extreme adversity” and “extends best wishes for peace, prosperity, and
continuing success.”
“We are profoundly gratified that America’s fundamental
commitment to freedom is powerfully affirmed today in the state of Georgia’s
principled recognition of the independence of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh. This action truly underscores that the
citizens of Georgia see liberty as an inalienable right, not just for Americans
but for all the peoples of the earth,” said Stephen Mesrobian, ANCA Eastern
Region chairman. “We thank the
Agasarkisian family and all our local activists, and look forward to working
with all our community and coalition partners to grow American support for
Artsakh’s independence in cities and states across our great nation.”
The full text of the resolution is provided below.
***
House Resolution 1580
By: Representatives Gardner of the 57th and Douglas of
the 78th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring and recognizing the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic;
and for other purposes.
WHEREAS, the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic has a long and
storied history, holding a cherished place in the Armenian people’s history and
culture; and
WHEREAS, the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic declared its
independence on December 10, 1991, after a long struggle that in some respects
continues to this day, and the persistent demand for self-determination was an
inspiration to people of many nationalities in the region, becoming one of the
catalysts for the breakup of the former Soviet Union; and
WHEREAS, through the course of the last two decades, the
people of the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic have shown tenacity and perseverance in
the face of war, massacres, economic deprivation, and other tremendous
hardships; and
WHEREAS, for more than 20 years, the Nagorno-Karabagh
Republic has stayed true and faithful to its citizens by remaining independent
while working to bring change and stability to the Caucasus region and by
holding free and fair elections and referendums that were widely declared as a
model for the region; and
WHEREAS, international observers, including the United
States, have assessed the May 3, 2015, Parliamentary Elections in the
Nagorno-Karabagh Republic as free and transparent.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body honor the Nagorno-Karabagh
Republic and its citizens; recognize the sacrifices, dedication, and resolve
shown by the people of the republic in the face of extreme adversity; extend
best wishes for peace, prosperity, and continuing success; and encourage the
international community to give appropriate recognition to the Nagorno-Karabagh
Republic as a free, independent, and sovereign democracy.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of
Representatives is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this
resolution available for distribution to the Nagorno-Karabagh Republic.
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