U.S. Congressman: Orphan Rug symbolizes enduring Armenian spirit

PanARMENIAN.Net - Members of Congress joined with Armenian American organizations in welcoming the display of the White House’s historic Armenian Orphan Rug and in urging the Administration to reject the gag-rule that Turkey has long enforced against honest American discourse about the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

“The Ghazir Rug is not just a carpet; it is a tangible connection to the first genocide of the 20th Century – a silent, beautiful rebuttal to those who deny the murder of 1.5 million men, woman and children in a campaign of mass murder, forced marches, rape and looting that befell the Armenian people from 1915-23,” explained Rep. Adam Schiff, who, over the past year, led the effort to secure White House display of the artifact after over 30 years in storage. “As the world prepares to commemorate the centennial of the genocide, the Ghazir Rug brings to life the shattered families and the mass inhumanity that was visited upon the Armenian people. And I hope that it can serve to educate a new generation of Americans about one of the great tragedies of history and leads to a redoubling of efforts in 2015 to finally and forever, honor the genocide of the Armenians without equivocation.”

Central Valley, California’s Rep. David Valadao told press conference attendees “My Congressional District is home to a very large Armenian population that has a very strong presence in our community. The Armenian Orphan Rug is a shared piece of American and Armenian history that should be available to the public. I am excited my colleagues and I were able to help secure a public display of the rug.” Representatives Schiff and Valadao secured the support of over 30 Members of Congress in November, 2013, culminating in a successful year-long campaign to encourage the White House to display the historic treasure.

“The Armenian Orphan Rug symbolizes the enduring Armenian spirit,” said Representative John Sarbanes. “As the world prepares to mark the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, I hope that the display of the Orphan Rug will spark an honest discussion about one of history’s darkest chapters and lead finally to a formal and official recognition of the genocide.”

“The Armenian Orphan Rug exhibit is an opportunity for Americans to see with their own eyes a moving, physical reminder of the Armenian Genocide,” said Rep. Katherine Clark. “It’s an incredible and important milestone for the White House to display its 4 million knots woven by children whose lives were devastated nearly 100 years ago. It’s long overdue for the U.S. to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

“The Armenian Orphan Rug is a shared piece of American and Armenian history that belongs to the American people,” said Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA). “Today represents progress, but falls short of the full and formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide, that should be a cornerstone of U.S. human rights policy.”

“This great artifact is both a symbol of the strong relationship between Armenia and the U.S., and a stark reminder about the first genocide of the modern era where 1.5 million Armenians perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire,” Rep. David Cicilline told attendees. “Together with leaders in the American-Armenian community we successfully worked with the White House to make sure the Armenian Orphan Rug and its historical meaning will be shared with the country.”

“For the last 10 years, the Armenian American community has fought to get this rug released and displayed to the public,” said Rep. Judy Chu. “This is only a first step. This story reinforces why Congress must pass a resolution to recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

“Worcester, Massachusetts is home to one of the oldest Armenian communities in America, and I’m very proud to be here today with George Aghjayan from Worcester and my good friend Dr. Martin Deranian from Shrewsbury, who is the author of such an important book on the Armenian Orphan Rug,” said Rep. McGovern. “While we are all proud and pleased that the Armenian Orphan Rug is being displayed at the White House [Visitors Center] this week, it is no substitute for the President recognizing the Armenian Genocide. The U.S. needs to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide now, before the last survivor is gone.”