RESOLUTION 252 ON ARMENIAN GENOCIDE INTRODUCED TO US SENATE
ArmInfo
2009-10-22 12:04:00
ArmInfo. The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) welcomed
the introduction today of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the U.S.
Senate by Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV).
The measure is similar to legislation in the U.S. House, H.Res.252,
introduced earlier this year by Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA),
George Radanovich (R-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs
Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL). This measure already has
over 130 cosponsors.
In introducing the measure, Sen. Menendez noted, "Only when history’s
darkest hours are acknowledged and understood can we truly learn from
them and build a peaceful future upon those lessons. One and a half
million Armenians experienced Hell on Earth, and to sweep their plight
under the rug is to insult their memories and their descendants. It
is long past time that our nation help set the historical record
straight and provide a foundation of understanding that helps prevent
future atrocities."
Senator Ensign explained, "It is inconceivable that after so many years
the international community has yet to affirm that the deportation,
expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre and starvation of the
Armenian people was genocide. By joining together and affirming that
genocide was committed on the Armenian people, we send a strong message
to the international community that we will not turn a blind eye to
the crimes of the past simply because they are in the past."
"On behalf of all Armenian Americans, we thank Senators Menendez and
Ensign for their tireless leadership in moving America toward a full
and proper commemoration and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide,"
said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "This legislation,
in seeking to end U.S. silence in the face of Turkey’s denial of
this crime, not only honors the past, but also, very powerfully,
helps make Armenia and all the world safer from future genocides."