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US Senate & House of Reps Commemorate Armenian Genocide with Special Order Speeches
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Angel Venable
Phone: (202) 393-3434
E-mail: avenable@aaainc.org
Web: <www.aaainc.org>
Washington, DC - Members of the both the US Senate and House of Representatives commemorated the Armenian Genocide by participating in a series of Special Order speeches following Tuesday's legislative business. Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Carl Levin (D-MI) and Jack Reed (D-RI) made statements, with others expected to follow suit. The Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Representatives Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), organized the Special Order speeches in the US House of Representatives and invited their colleagues to join the annual bipartisan event.
All remembered the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. Many spoke of the importance of the US affirming the record and officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide as the European Parliament, the Vatican and other countries have. Several Members referred to the current Nagorno Karabagh conflict and the necessity of securing peace and safety for the Armenians who live in the region so that the threat of history repeating itself could be set to rest.
"On behalf of the Armenian Assembly, I thank those Members of Congress who joined Armenians worldwide in commemorating the Armenian Genocide of 1915. As many Members noted in their statements, without coming to terms with the past, mankind is doomed to repeat it," said Assembly Acting Executive Director Arpi Vartanian. "In his official statement for April 24, President Bush referred to the annihilation of approximately 1.5 million Armenians in the closing years of the Ottoman Empire. His description of what happened then is a textbook definition of genocide. We wholeheartedly agree with the sentiments expressed by Members of Congress that we must remember the Genocide and let its lessons 'guide us as we seek to build a better future.' US recognition and affirmation of the Genocide will help Turkey come to terms with the actions of its predecessor state. Without doing this, Turkey cannot embrace its future in the region."
In the Senate, Senator Feingold noted in his remarks the need to look at our past in order to improve upon current situations around the world. "Clearly there is a great deal of work that still needs to be done to prevent human tragedy. So today we commemorate the Armenian Genocide, let us honor the men, women and children whose lives were lost between 1915-1923..." Senator Feinstein echoed her colleague's need for prevention. "By acknowledging the Armenian Genocide we state loud and clear: Never again." Addressing those who attempt to deny the Genocide, Senator Johnson said, "To those who would question these events, I refer them to numerous documents kept by the United States National Archives, which detail these horrifying events." Senator Kennedy said, "One of the enduring achievements of the survivors of the Genocide and their descendants has been to keep its tragic memory alive, in spite of continuing efforts by those who refuse to acknowledge the atrocities that took place."
Senator Levin honored the victims of the Armenian Genocide and paid tribute to those who survived to start anew in different countries. "The Armenian people have preserved their culture, faith and identity for over a thousand years. In the last century alone, the Armenian people have withstood the horrors of two World Wars and several decades of Soviet dominance in order to establish modern Armenia. I hope all my Senate colleagues will join me in honoring and remembering the victims of the Armenian Genocide."
Senator Reed said, "Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide is important not to keep alive the memory of those Armenians who died, but to remind the world of its duty. We must always bear witness to the terrors of yesterday so that we can respond to acts of oppression in the future, ensuring that the deaths of all victims of hatred and prejudice are not in vain."
In the House of Representatives, Caucus Co-Chair Representative Knollenberg opened his remarks with a brief historical overview of the Armenian Genocide. Knollenberg asked his colleagues, "Why then, it must be asked, are so many people unaware of the Armenian Genocide? I believe the answer is found in the international community's response to this disturbing event or, I should say lack of response. At the end of World War I, those responsible for ordering and implementing the Armenian Genocide were never brought to justice, and the world casually forgot about the pain and suffering of the Armenian people..."
Knollenberg went on to say, "...let us pay homage to those who fell victim to the Ottoman oppressors and tell the story of the forgotten genocide. This, for the sake of the Armenian heritage, is certainly a story that must be heard."
Caucus Co-Chair Representative Pallone urged Congress to affirm the US record. He said, "Congress should not be forced by a foreign government to deny or ignore the US record and response to the events that took place in the Ottoman Empire from 1915-1923. Those of us who have been fighting for this recognition will not give up. We are committed and we will not quit fighting until this Nation finally recognizes the Armenian genocide as genocide."
He continued to say, "We must overcome the denials and the indifference, and keep alive the memory and the truth of what happened to the Armenian people in the past - as we work to see to it that this tragic history is never repeated."
Two Representatives of Armenian descent were among the 41 who participated
in the Special Order.
Representative John Sweeney (R-NY), who is of Armenian descent, spoke of his
grandfather and his memories of the Genocide. "My grandfather was a
first-hand witness to the bloodshed. He often told us of his experience of
holding his uncle's arms, with his cousin, as Turkish soldiers executed that
grammar school teacher."
Sweeney also called on the current Turkish Government to recognize their past. "To heal the wounds of the past, the Turkish Government must first recognize its responsibility for actions of past leaders."
Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) also spoke of her relatives who lived through the massacres. "Mr. Speaker, as the only Member of Congress of Armenian and Assyrian descent, I am very proud of my heritage. Like many Armenians, I learned from my grandparents of the hardship and suffering endured by so many at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. That is how I came to this understanding and this knowledge and why I bring this story to the House of Representatives," she said. "It's essential to not only publicly acknowledge what happened, but also understand that we are teaching present and future generations about the Armenian Genocide."
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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Excerpts from other Representatives reading or submitting statements as of April 26 are below:
Rep. Gary Ackerman (D-NY): "As we all know, surely and irrefutably, the first Armenian Genocide, occurred between 1915 and 1923, and resulted in the deliberate death of 1.5 million human souls, killed for the crime of their own existence. The second Armenian Genocide, which every year we must struggle against, is the ongoing effort by some to deny reality, to deny history, to deny one of humanity's darkest hours."
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-CA): "Surrounded by countries still hostile to them, to this day the Armenian struggle continues. Our nation must work to prevent further aggression and assure Armenians throughout the world that they can live free of threats to their existence and property."
Rep. Howard Berman (D-CA): "We mark this anniversary of the start of the Armenian genocide because this tragedy for the Armenian people was a tragedy for all humanity. It is our duty to remember, to speak out and to teach future generations about the horrors of genocide and the oppression and terrible suffering endured by the Armenian people."
Rep. Michael Bilirakis (R-FL): "The atrocious acts of annihilation against the Armenian people were denounced by Paris, London and Washington as war crimes. Even the Germans, the Ottoman Empire's ally in the First World War, condemned these heinous acts...This orchestrated extermination of a people is contrary to the values the United States espouses. We are a nation which strictly adheres to the affirmation of human rights everywhere and cannot dispute a horrendous historical fact by ignoring what so many witnessed and survived."
Rep. David Bonior (D-MI): "In remembering the Armenian Genocide, we are making a commitment against genocide and discrimination. We are making a personal commitment to speaking out against injustice wherever we see it."
Rep. Jerry Costello (D-IL): "...In the Armenian consciousness, the events of 1915 through 1923 are a vivid and constant presence. I am pleased my colleagues and I have the opportunity to pay tribute to the Armenian community in order to ensure the legacy of the genocide is remembered."
Rep. Joseph Crowley (D-NY): "I am well aware of the importance of Turkey as an ally in an unstable region and a frontline NATO state. However, the Turkish Government must officially recognize the atrocities of its predecessors in the Ottoman Empire...This Genocide and its lessons must never be forgotten."
Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-CA): "The Armenian Genocide, conceived and carried out by the Ottoman Empire between 1915 and 1923, resulted in the deportation of 2 million Armenians from their homeland and the ultimate slaughter of 1.5 million of those people.... The U.S. has some of the most extensive documentation of this genocide against the Armenian people, and there has been no shortage of corroboration by other countries."
Rep. Tom Davis (R-VA): "It is important that we not only commemorate the Armenian Genocide, but also honor the memory of others who lost their lives during this time. We must remember this horrific and shameful period in world history so that it will never be repeated again."
Rep. Calvin Dooley (D-CA): "Our statements today are intended to preserve the memory of the Armenian loss, and to remind the world that the Turkish government still refuses to acknowledge the Armenian Genocide. The truth of this tragedy can never and should never be denied."
Rep. Michael Ferguson (R-NJ): "We mark this anniversary each year to remind our Nation and to teach future generations about the horrors of genocide and oppression endured by the Armenian people."
Rep. George Gekas (R-PA): "I am sure that the victims of the Armenian Genocide would want us to not simply remember the historic travesty that befell them, but would want us to learn from these lessons of xenophobia and inhumanity. We remember the Armenian Genocide, today, and we affirm its historical existence, not to inflame the passions of our friends in the modern day Republic of Turkey, but to remind all Americans of the horrible consequences of ethnic violence."
Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY): "It is fitting that we pause and join in this commemoration, and asking all Americans to join in it. We must understand the lessons of the tragedies of this century such as the Armenian Genocide, and most important to resolve to prevent their repetition."
Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD): "We mark this unspeakable tragedy each year on that date so that we can examine what occurred and honor the memory of the victims. Sadly, Mr. Speaker, the massacre of the Armenians was not the last genocide of the 20th Century...We must remember, Mr. Speaker, but we must also learn from this event and ultimately act on that knowledge to prevent such indescribable horror from ever occurring again."
Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-RI): "Over eighty-six years later after the tragedy began, Turkey still denies the Armenian Genocide despite overwhelming documentation of these atrocities. We cannot allow such ethnic violence and genocide to simply be covered up or ignored. Continued Congressional support to provide assistance to the people residing in Nagorno Karabagh and upholding Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act sends a strong, powerful message to Turkey that we will not allow Armenian communities to be threatened again."
Rep. Mark Kirk (R-IL): "Today, I join my colleagues in recognizing the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and while this is indeed a day of mourning, we must also take this opportunity to celebrate Armenia's commitment towards democracy in the face of adversity."
Rep. James Langevin (D-RI): "Armenians are a strong, resilient people, struggling to heal the wounds of the past. However, until the Armenian Genocide is officially acknowledged, these wounds will remain. We should not deny the Armenian people their rightful place in history. To do so would dishonor them, and blight our understanding of the past. It is the best interests of our nation and the entire global community to remember the past and learn from history."
Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI): ""Despite all the facts, eyewitness accounts, recognition by countries throughout the world, and the findings of their own post-war courts, the government of Turkey still refuses to acknowledge the genocide ever occurred. We cannot allow such blatant disregard and denial to go on."
Rep. William Lipinski (D-IL): "As I said two years ago in this chamber and on this floor, we cannot, should not and will not forget the Armenian Genocide. As a matter of conscience, we should all stand together to speak out to remember the victims. While the Armenians have suffered through such tragic horrors, it would be an even greater tragedy if we forget. We will remember and honor their memories in the hopes for a better tomorrow."
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY): "We have supported Armenia with direct assistance and with confidence-building allocations. I strongly support the efforts of the Armenian community to dedicate a museum and memorial commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide. This year, their dream became a reality with the purchase of a building near the White House. Nothing we can say will bring back those who perished, but we can honor their memories with everlasting meaning by teaching the lessons of the Armenian genocide to the next generation."
Rep. Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY): "Taking a moment here today, is the least we can do to honor the victims of that terrible time, but it is essential nonetheless. If there is to be any hope of preventing future acts of such inhumanity, the senseless acts of violence inflicted upon Armenians must be properly recognized."
Rep. James McGovern (D-MA): "It is difficult to fathom a greater evil than the massacre and willful destruction of a people. Those who deny that a holocaust took place when there are recorded accounts of the barbarity are complicit and often perpetuate a cycle of violence. This is the injustice much of the world has committed against the Armenian people."
Rep. Marty Meehan (D-MA): "There are survivors of the Armenian Genocide in my district, and the horror of this ordeal is forever etched in their collective memories...With great respect for them and for Armenians throughout the world, let us renew our commitment here today that the American people will oppose any and all instances of genocide."
Rep. Joe Moakley (D-MA): "As a nation, the United States speaks often about respect for human rights. I am proud that we hold such values so close - but until will accept the truth about atrocities like the Armenian Genocide we fail to reach our goals."
Rep. Connie Morella (R-MD): "The Armenian Genocide is a historical fact. There is a nonpartisan academic consensus that between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million Armenians perished at the hands of the crumbling Ottoman Empire. I deeply regretted the decision made by this body last year not to consider...legislation recognizing the Armenian genocide."
Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA): "If we ignore the lessons of the Armenian Genocide, we are destined to repeat those same mistakes. The horrible conflicts in Sudan, Sierra Leone, and East Timor remind us that we must do more to prevent the systematic slaughter of innocent people. We must learn from the past and never forget the victims of the Armenian genocide."
Rep. George Radanovich (R-CA): "We must take our role as the leader of the Free World seriously and educate people on the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians. We must characterize this as genocide."
Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA): "The Armenian Genocide is not simply a problem of the past; it has implications for the future. Our actions now will lay the groundwork for addressing genocide whenever it threatens to erupt again." Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA): "It is time for Turkey to acknowledge this genocide, because only in that way can the Turkish Government and its people rise above it."
Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN): "Unfortunately, those responsible for ordering the systematic removal of the Armenians were never brought to justice, and the Armenian Genocide has become a dark moment in history...."
Rep. William Thomas (R-CA): " Like the Jewish and Cambodian holocausts, and more recently, the Serbian ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, the Armenian genocide stands out as one of the world's most morally reprehensible acts...Continuing our good relationship with Turkey has repeatedly been cited as the reason not to use the word genocide. Mr. Speaker, there is no word other than genocide to describe the systematic murder of a million and a half people."
Rep. John F. Tierney (D-MA): "Had we heeded the lessons that emerged from the massacre, perhaps we could have avoided other great tragedies in this century. In quietly letting the sorrow of the Armenian people go unresolved, however, we allow their tragedy to repeat itself over and over again in Germany in the 1930s and 1940s, in Rwanda in the 1990s, and elsewhere throughout the world."
Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY): "As we gather on this day to remember the past
and mourn those who lost their lives, their homes, their families and their
freedom, let us pledge to do all that we can to ensure that the Armenian
Genocide is properly recognized and remembered to prevent such atrocities
from occurring in the future."
Rep. Peter Visclosky (D-IN): "Even now, as we rise to commemorate the
accomplishments of the Armenian people and mourn the tragedies they have
suffered, Azerbaijan [and] Turkey...continue to engage in a debilitating
blockade of this free nation."
Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-CA): "Today, the world's resolve against historical revisionism of the Armenian Genocide will be a key determinant of our ability to stand against similar attempts at Holocaust denial."
Rep. Anthony D. Weiner (D-NY): "On this day I call on my colleagues and on the President to remember the words of author, Holocaust survivor, and Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel, "...to remain silent and indifferent is the greatest sin of all..."
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA): "On behalf of Armenia and on behalf of all of our
Armenian friends, neighbors, and colleagues, I urge the House of
Representatives to recognize our responsibility to learn from the past and
to speak out in order to prevent similar atrocities in the future."
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