Paul Ryan has been elected speaker of the House of Representatives in the secret-ballot vote on Wednesday.

Ryan, 45, is the youngest speaker elected since 1869, the Washington Post reported.

Speaker Ryan has a strong record in support of Armenia, Armenian American issues including genocide affirmation, and the safety and security of the people of Nagorno-Karbakh. Paul Ryan represents the 1st district of Wisconsin, which is home to St. Mesrob Armenian Apostolic Church, in Racine, the Armenian Assembly of America reported.

"By properly recognizing the atrocities committed against the Armenian people as 'genocide' in your statement, you will honor the many Americans who helped launch our first international human rights campaign to end the carnage and protect the survivors. The official U.S. response mirrored the overwhelming reaction by the American public to this crime against humanity, and as such, constitutes a proud, irrefutable and groundbreaking chapter in U.S. diplomatic history," reads the 2004 letter to President Bush signed by Ryan.