JACKIE SPEIER: OUR WORLD IS MORE DANGEROUS IF IT IS ALLOWED TO DISMISS THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
armradio.am
22.03.2008 12:24
At the Bay Area Armenian National Committee’s annual "Hye Tad Evening"
in San Francisco, Armenian-American congressional candidate Jackie
Speier talked about the power of her Armenian roots, her record
passing laws on issues important to the Armenian-American community,
and her commitment to pursue those issues in Congress.
"When I get elected to Congress, the epicenter of Armenian-American
representation in Congress will be right here," said Speier, pointing
out that the Bay Area Congresswoman Anna Eshoo is also of Armenian
descent.
"I attribute my ability to withstand adversity and survive in the
political arena to my Armenian blood," Speier said. Referring to
the 1978 Jonestown, Guyana mass murder during which Congressman
Leo Ryan was killed and Speier, his young staffer, was shot five
times, Speier said, "As I lay on the tarmac shot several times and
left to die… I think my ability to survive can be attributed to my
Armenian heritage. As you know, Armenians are known for their ability
to withstand atrocities greater than anyone can imagine. It’s also
possible that my stubborn Armenian genes played a part as well."
Speier also spoke about her early education about the Armenian
Genocide.
"Growing up I remember my Mother sharing stories about her relatives
who were killed during the Armenian Genocide," she said. "And I
have read over and over and over again Ambassador Henry Morgenthau’s
telegram to the Secretary of State, dated July 16, 1915: ‘Deportation
of and excesses against peaceful Armenians is increasing and from
harrowing reports of eye witnesses it appears that a campaign of
race extermination is in progress under a pretext of reprisal against
rebellion.’"
"We are told by some to forget the Armenian Genocide. We have a
Secretary of state that says, ‘Get over it.’ But we will not forget
and we will not get over it. We demand justice, because we know as
students of history that our world is more dangerous to everyone if
it is allowed to dismiss the Armenian Genocide. We demand justice
because we cannot allow the murder of a nation with impunity. If the
US is to be the leader of the free world, we need to lead on this
issue, not follow the Turkish government’s immoral attempts to bury
the truth." said Speier.
Speier criticized the U.S. government for removing the U.S. ambassador
to Armenia. "Shame on America for first muzzling and then punishing
Ambassador Evans for his speech and his acknowledgement of the Armenian
Genocide, and then offering a denier of the Armenian Genocide as his
replacement," said Speier. She also criticized the government for
doing nothing to stop Azerbaijan’s continuing eradication of Armenian
historical landmarks in Azerbaijan, and it’s military threats against
Karabakh.
She reminded the audience that she has been working alongside the ANC
for many years, and as a California state legislator, she authored
16 bills related to Armenian issues. In 1989, she advocated for the
law mandating the Department of Education to include instruction
on the Armenian Genocide in public schools. Every year thereafter,
she co-sponsored the resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide,
including the 2005 bill that made the commemoration permanent law. In
her final term, Speier introduced a measure that allows Armenian
Genocide victims or their beneficiaries to file claims against banks
doing business in California, that refuse to pay for deposited or
looted assets of Armenian Genocide victims.
As a member of Congress, Speier said she would also work to provide
development and humanitarian aid to Armenia and Karabakh, and help
them become more democratic and prosperous. Referring to the recent
Armenian government police actions against demonstrators in Yerevan,
Speier said, "A democratic government must represent the will of its
people, never to oppress or violate their rights."
Speier said she would rally support for Section 907 of the Freedom
Support Act, limiting aid to Azerbaijan, until it lifts its blockade
of Armenia and Karabakh. Section 907 is currently not in effect due
to a waiver by President Bush. "Turkey cannot strangle Armenia into
submission by circumventing Armenia’s territory in every regional
infrastructure project.
Turkey must include Armenia in these projects, because this is the
only way to lasting peace."