The Armenian National Committee of America called on ethnic-Armenian U.S. citizens to send a letter to President Barack Obama and senators urging them to recognize the "Armenian Genocide," Haber 7 reported. "We are optimistic about the recognition of the genocide under the new administration," Illinois Senator and Co-Chair of the Armenian-U.S. Friendship Group Mark Kirk said. In April 2008, the Armenian lobby intensified its efforts to achieve the recognition of the 1915 events. Armenia claims the Ottoman Empire committed genocide against its people in 1915. Kirk said efforts must be strengthened to get the genocide recognized and called on ethnic-Armenian U.S. citizens to be more active. "We have more strength now under the new Congress and government," the senator said, adding that the U.S. Department of State and Defense Department are likely to impede the recognition of the genocide. "We must begin to work now and submit the relevant bill," he said. Kirk recalled the statements made about the genocide during Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's election campaign, adding that he wonders what she will say now that she holds this post.
Kirk expressed hope that the number of people supporting the Armenian claims will increase and their voices will be heard under the new president.