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Congressional Record: ANTHONY BARSAMIAN SPEAKS ELOQUENTLY ABOUT THEA

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  • Congressional Record: ANTHONY BARSAMIAN SPEAKS ELOQUENTLY ABOUT THEA

    Congressional Record: March 17, 2005
    >>From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

    ANTHONY BARSAMIAN SPEAKS ELOQUENTLY ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

    HON. BARNEY FRANK

    of massachusetts

    in the house of representatives

    Wednesday, March 16, 2005

    Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, last month, Anthony
    Barsamian, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Armenian Assembly
    of America, made an eloquent speech at the ``International Refuge,
    Relief and Recognition Tribute'' hosted by the Armenian-American
    community in California. Mr. Barsamian eloquently stressed the
    importance to all of us of remembering that ``the history of genocide
    must remain inviolable and periodically affirmed regardless of
    political discomfort or cost so that we may learn its lessons.''
    Mr. Speaker, I think it is a grave error that this Congress has not
    been allowed to vote on a resolution affirming this important point
    with regard to the terrible history of the genocide perpetrated against
    the Armenians. We cannot allow current foreign policy considerations to
    override our obligation in this critical area. Anthony Barsamian
    cogently and forcefully reminds us why such an omission is
    unacceptable, and I ask that his moving, thoughtful remarks be printed
    here.

    Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian's Remarks at the
    ``International Refuge, Relief and Recognition Tribute''--February 24,
    2005

    Your Eminence, Reverend clergy, Your Excellencies, Ladies
    and Gentlemen,
    This remembrance and recognition highlights two issues of
    critical importance to the horrific recurrence of Genocide
    and the apparent impotence of the world to stop this crime
    against us all.
    First, the history of genocide must remain inviolable and
    periodically affirmed regardless of political discomfort or
    cost so that we may learn its lessons.
    Second, the actions of 3rd parties are vital to raising
    awareness about the crime as soon as it becomes known, to
    taking resolute steps to end the genocidal process, to bring
    to account the perpetrators, to provide comfort to the
    survivors, and to forever remember all instances of genocide.
    This is why the Armenian Assembly joined with the AGBU and
    the Diocese to remember those nations and organizations that
    took action while the Armenian Genocide was being carried out
    and subsequently. Armenians remain deeply indebted to all who
    refused the easy path of indifference and inaction. You saved
    lives, you affirmed the truth, and you bore witness so that
    the world would be better equipped to act on the meaning of
    ``Never Again''.
    As is evident today, the Republic of Turkey refuses to
    accept the judgment of history that the Ottoman Turkish
    government committed genocide against its Armenian minority.
    Instead, Turkey attempts to impose its revisionism on a
    civilized world that knows better, but occasionally succumbs
    to Turkish demands and intimidation by refraining from
    affirming the truth. Nations who had initially committed to participate
    in this
    recognition commemoration withdrew in the face of such
    Turkish pressure. This solves nothing. The dead are not
    honored for their sacrifice. The actions of the righteous are
    not recalled. And ironically, the descendants of the
    victimizers are not allowed to come to terms with the truth.
    Nevertheless, we pause today as we begin this 90th
    commemorative year to give thanks to all nations and
    organizations that came to our aid--but particularly to those
    that attended today despite the Turkish government's campaign
    to stop you.
    For Turkey's state sponsored denial effort, having this
    event is a defeat. This is a good day for the truth. As
    Armenian-Americans, we recall with special appreciation the
    leading role of the United States in attempting to prevent
    the Armenian Genocide and in aiding those that survived. As
    Armenian-Americans, we look to the United States to continue
    this proud chapter of American history by reaffirming the
    facts of this most calamitous chapter of Armenian history.
    There is an inevitability to universal affirmation of the
    Armenian Genocide, and America has not and will not be an
    exception.
    A case in point is the recently concluded visit of U.S.
    Ambassador to Armenia John Evans with major Armenian-American
    communities across the country. In his public commentaries,
    Ambassador Evans repeatedly employed the words ``Armenian
    Genocide'' to properly characterize the attempted
    annihilation of our people by Ottoman Turkey.
    This is in keeping with President Reagan's proclamation of
    April 22, 1981 where he stated in part, ``like the genocide
    of the Armenians before it, and the genocide of the
    Cambodians which followed it--and like too many other
    persecutions of too many other people--the lessons of the
    Holocaust must never be forgotten''. . .
    And also with the thrust of President Bush's 2001 to 2004
    April 24 messages that set forth the textbook definition of
    genocide without using the word. Ambassador Evans completed
    the thought.
    The Ambassador's characterization also is in keeping with
    the public declarations of over 120 renowned Holocaust and
    Genocide scholars regarding ``the incontestable fact of the
    Armenian Genocide''.
    Further, Ambassador Evans' characterization conforms to the
    summary conclusion of the International Center for
    Transitional Justice on the use of the term Armenian
    Genocide. ICTJ stated that ``the Events, viewed collectively,
    can thus be said to include all of the elements of the crime
    of genocide as defined in the Convention, and legal scholars
    as well as historians, politicians, journalists and other
    people would be justified in continuing to so describe
    them.''
    The Armenian-American community will not rest until the
    United States formally and irrevocably reaffirms the Armenian
    Genocide. By so doing, we forever advance the special role of
    the United States in genocide prevention.
    Today, we are here to honor 17 nations who have joined the
    movement towards universal affirmation of the Armenian
    Genocide. You have appropriately remembered this instance of
    man's inhumanity to man. You have stepped forward to combat
    denial and revisionism. We will never forget your solidarity.
    As Voltaire said, ``to the living we owe respect, but to
    the dead we owe only the truth''.

    ____________________
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