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CONGRESSWOMAN LAURA RICHARDSON RISES TO COMMEMORATE THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
States News Service
April 24, 2012 Tuesday
The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Laura Richardson :
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the victims and survivors
of one of the darkest chapters in human history, the Armenian
Genocide. April 24th marks the 97th commemoration of the first
genocide of the 20th Century where Ottoman Turkish authorities ordered
the systematic annihilation of more than 1.5 million Armenians. The
Armenian Genocide was carried out from 1915 to 1923 through massacres,
deportations, and death marches where hundreds of thousands were
herded into the Syrian Desert to die of thirst and starvation.
Modern-day Turkish authorities sadly have chosen to deny this chapter
of history.
Notable scholars and historians who recognize the Armenian Genocide
include the International Association of Genocide Scholars and the Elie
Wiesel Foundation for Humanity whose opinion is supported by 53 Nobel
Laureates. Many international observers, including then Ambassador
and later U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, witnessed the
nightmare firsthand and reported detailed accounts of the atrocities
to their governments.
Mr. Speaker, the historical record is clear and the Armenian Genocide
is a tragic fact. It must be acknowledged and remembered so that it
will never be repeated.
As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I know
that the refusal of modern-day Turkey to acknowledge one of the worst
examples of man's inhumanity in the 20th century haunts survivors
of the Armenian Genocide, as well as their families. As a Member of
Congress from California, which is home to more Armenian-Americans
than any other, I believe this is not only an affront to the memory
of the victims and to their descendants, but it does a disservice
to the United States as it seeks to stand up for the victims of
violence today.
The issue of recognizing the Armenian genocide and helping the Armenian
people is neither a partisan nor geopolitical issue. Rather, it is a
question of giving the Armenian people the justice they deserve. In
doing so, we affirm the dignity of humankind everywhere.
It has been said that "all it takes for evil to triumph, is for good
men to do nothing." This is one of the reasons I am proud to have
joined with so many of my colleagues in cosponsoring the resolution
affirming the occurrence of the Armenian genocide throughout my career
in Congress. I will continue to do for as long as it takes.
In recognizing the Armenian Genocide we do not seek to persecute
any person or state; we seek to build a path that will lead to
reconciliation between Armenians and Turks. And in doing so, we will
remain true to our nation's highest aspirations for justice and peace.
It was President Lincoln who called us "better angels of our nation"
when he said in his Second Inaugural Address that all Americans should
"do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among
ourselves and with all nations."
Mr. Speaker, the Armenian Genocide has been officially recognized by
42 states. These states have gone on public record rejecting any claim
or assertion that denies the occurrence of one of history's worst
crimes against humanity. I believe it is time for us to join these
nations in that endeavor by passing H. Res. 304, the "Affirmation of
the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution."
Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence in memory of the millions
of Armenian voices silenced by genocide at the hands of the Ottoman
Empire.
Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time.
From: Baghdasarian
States News Service
April 24, 2012 Tuesday
The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Laura Richardson :
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to the victims and survivors
of one of the darkest chapters in human history, the Armenian
Genocide. April 24th marks the 97th commemoration of the first
genocide of the 20th Century where Ottoman Turkish authorities ordered
the systematic annihilation of more than 1.5 million Armenians. The
Armenian Genocide was carried out from 1915 to 1923 through massacres,
deportations, and death marches where hundreds of thousands were
herded into the Syrian Desert to die of thirst and starvation.
Modern-day Turkish authorities sadly have chosen to deny this chapter
of history.
Notable scholars and historians who recognize the Armenian Genocide
include the International Association of Genocide Scholars and the Elie
Wiesel Foundation for Humanity whose opinion is supported by 53 Nobel
Laureates. Many international observers, including then Ambassador
and later U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, witnessed the
nightmare firsthand and reported detailed accounts of the atrocities
to their governments.
Mr. Speaker, the historical record is clear and the Armenian Genocide
is a tragic fact. It must be acknowledged and remembered so that it
will never be repeated.
As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I know
that the refusal of modern-day Turkey to acknowledge one of the worst
examples of man's inhumanity in the 20th century haunts survivors
of the Armenian Genocide, as well as their families. As a Member of
Congress from California, which is home to more Armenian-Americans
than any other, I believe this is not only an affront to the memory
of the victims and to their descendants, but it does a disservice
to the United States as it seeks to stand up for the victims of
violence today.
The issue of recognizing the Armenian genocide and helping the Armenian
people is neither a partisan nor geopolitical issue. Rather, it is a
question of giving the Armenian people the justice they deserve. In
doing so, we affirm the dignity of humankind everywhere.
It has been said that "all it takes for evil to triumph, is for good
men to do nothing." This is one of the reasons I am proud to have
joined with so many of my colleagues in cosponsoring the resolution
affirming the occurrence of the Armenian genocide throughout my career
in Congress. I will continue to do for as long as it takes.
In recognizing the Armenian Genocide we do not seek to persecute
any person or state; we seek to build a path that will lead to
reconciliation between Armenians and Turks. And in doing so, we will
remain true to our nation's highest aspirations for justice and peace.
It was President Lincoln who called us "better angels of our nation"
when he said in his Second Inaugural Address that all Americans should
"do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among
ourselves and with all nations."
Mr. Speaker, the Armenian Genocide has been officially recognized by
42 states. These states have gone on public record rejecting any claim
or assertion that denies the occurrence of one of history's worst
crimes against humanity. I believe it is time for us to join these
nations in that endeavor by passing H. Res. 304, the "Affirmation of
the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution."
Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence in memory of the millions
of Armenian voices silenced by genocide at the hands of the Ottoman
Empire.
Thank you and I yield back the balance of my time.
From: Baghdasarian