OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Armenian Genocide

Floor Speech

Date: April 23, 2013
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs

Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to honor the memory of the innocent men, women, and children who perished in 1915 during the Armenian genocide.

Each year, the United States Congress has the opportunity to stand on the side of justice and recognize the Armenian genocide. Such action would fortify America's moral standing in the family of nations and send a strong message to our NATO ally, Turkey, that it must examine the dark chapters of its past and the discriminatory impulses of its present.

Turkey has repeatedly thwarted efforts by Congress and successive administrations to recognize the Armenian genocide by threatening all manner of retaliation should recognition be accorded. I submit that we do no favors to Turkey by acquiescing in its cynical campaign.

As we approach the 100th anniversary of the Armenian genocide in 2015, it is time for the United States to formally recognize this tragic chapter in world history and to bring some measure of peace and healing to those of Armenian descent.


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