Sens. Cruz, Menendez Introduce Bipartisan Senate Resolution Affirming U.S. Recognition of Armenian Genocide
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, and Ranking Member Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) yesterday introduced a Senate resolution to ensure the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning the Armenian Genocide. Carried out by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923, the Armenian Genocide resulted in the forced deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians, of whom 1.5 million were killed.
“We must never be silent in response to atrocities. Over one hundred years ago, the world was silent as the Armenian people suffered a horrific genocide, and today many are still unaware of it,” Sen. Cruz said. “I am proud to join Sen. Menendez and my colleagues today in introducing this resolution. May the terrors of those events awaken in us the courage to always stand for freedom against evil.”
“As we near the anniversary of Armenian Remembrance Day, one of the darkest events in human history, I am proud to lead this effort to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide on behalf of the U.S. Congress. The genocide is a historical fact and not up for debate,” Sen. Menendez said. “Only by accurately recognizing this genocide of the past can we ever hope to move forward in a legitimate and effective manner to meet the challenge of preventing mass atrocities and genocide in the future. With this resolution, we honor the millions of victims of this genocide, remember how they died and pledge that history accurately remember their deaths.”
“We want to thank Senators Menendez and Cruz for taking aim directly at U.S. complicity in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). “Their bipartisan resolution would end – once and for all – a foreign gag-order that has, for nearly a century, compromised our nation’s independence and government’s credibility on issues of human rights, religious freedom, and atrocities prevention.”
"This bipartisan resolution highlights a proud chapter in U.S. history in providing humanitarian assistance and helping to save the survivors of the first genocide of the twentieth century," stated Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We commend Senators Menendez and Cruz for this important human rights initiative," Armenian Assembly of America Bryan Ardouny said.
Joining Sens. Cruz and Menendez in introducing the resolution were Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), Cory Gardner (R-Colo.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), and Kamala Harris (D-Calif.).
Full text of the resolution can be found here.
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