Armenian Genocide resolution introduced in Congress
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny calls on Congress, President Obama to affirm the Armenian Genocide Yesterday, 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. Below is the statement of Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny at the Capitol Hill press conference announcing the introduction of the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution: "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 'colossal 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. "Thank you." Armenian Assembly of America
