Armenian Truth and Justice Resolution enters U.S. Congress

Armenian Truth and Justice Resolution enters U.S. Congress

PanARMENIAN.Net - Members Congress gathered for a press conference at the House Triangle on Capitol Hill to announce the introduction of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Truth and Justice Resolution. The bipartisan measure was introduced by Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Robert Dold (R-IL) and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), along with Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA).

In addition to the lead sponsors, Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), David Trott (R-MI), Judy Chu (D-CA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA) spoke publicly about the need for U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Bryan Ardouny and Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian also spoke about the Armenian Genocide and called on President Obama and Congress to affirm the truth.

“Denial of the Armenian Genocide undermines foundations for durable peace and security, making future atrocities more likely,” said Dold. “As the greatest force for human dignity in the world, the United States has an obligation to send an unequivocal message that we will never forget those that were lost, nor shall we tolerate any country that hides behind bully tactics to shroud violations of human rights.”

“One hundred years ago, one and a half million Armenian men, women, and children were deliberately murdered in the first genocide of the 20th century—these facts are indisputable,” said Schiff. “And on this important anniversary and while there are still survivors among us, we in Congress and the president have an opportunity and an obligation to send a strong message that we will never forget those who were lost, and we will call this crime against humanity what it was, genocide. We feel a powerful sense of urgency and the profound call of moral duty to recognize the Armenian Genocide unequivocally and without delay.”

“One hundred years after the genocide, the sense of loss and pain is still strong as many in our community have a direct connection to someone who was unable to escape,” said Valadao. “While those impacted by the genocide are always in our hearts, let us take an extra moment to remember the 2 million Armenians whose lives were lost.”

“As we recognize the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we remember the one and a half million Armenians who were slaughtered by Ottoman Turks,” said Pallone. “Now is the time for the United States government to do the moral thing and recognize these atrocities for what they are—genocide. While we mark 100 years since this horrible act of violence, we also recommit ourselves to the work of speaking out against oppression and senseless violence. Today, I join my colleagues in remembering the victims and paying homage to the Armenian people who, for thousands of years, have shown their perseverance and strength in the face of great challenges,” said Pallone.

Announcing the introduction of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said: "Resolutions affirming the truth, affirming America's role in helping save the survivors of the first genocide of the 20th century are not only important, but necessary. They are necessary because of ongoing efforts by a foreign nation to distort and rewrite our own history. We should never let this happen. America's humanitarian intervention during the Armenian Genocide was unprecedented and something we can all be proud of. It was America's ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau that alerted the world that a 'campaign of race extermination' was under way against the Armenian people.

It was America's president, Woodrow Wilson that authorized a military mission to the region led by Major General James Harbord. Harbord, who wrote his report on the U.S.S. Martha Washington, said that what happened to the Armenian people during World War I was a 'collosal crime for all the ages.' It was America that created the Near East Relief, and with the generosity of the American people, that provided over $116 million in relief to the survivors, including 132,000 orphans. And it was these orphans, young Armenian girls that wove a rug, which was presented to President Calvin Coolidge as a symbol of a sincere gratitude for America's generosity and humanitarian relief. The inscription on the rug read: Made by Armenian girls in the Ghazir, Syria orphanage of the Near East Relief and presented as a golden rule token of appreciation to President Coolidge.

As Americans, we should embrace our history and not allow others to try to sweep our history under the rug. Therefore, on the centenary of the Armenian Genocide, we strongly urge Congress and the President to unequivocally affirm the Armenian Genocide and honor America's unprecedented humanitarian intervention.”

Commenting on the measure, Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Executive Director Aram Hamparian said: “We welcome today’s introduction of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and strongly support this new bipartisan approach to promoting regional peace, protecting Armenia, and preventing future atrocities. This innovative, justice-based initiative builds upon the U.S. record of past Armenian Genocide recognition by calling for a new U.S. policy—one that reflects our American values and also recognizes that our national interests will be served by Turkey ending its obstruction of a truthful and just international resolution of this crime.”

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.

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