George P. Radanovich: “Today, April 23rd, 1997, the House of Representatives commemorates a bleak chapter in world history: the Armenian…”

“Today, April 23rd, 1997, the House of Representatives commemorates a bleak chapter in world history: the Armenian genocide of 1915-1923. To overlook or deny its existence is not only irresponsible, but also provides incentive to despots who have it within their evil designs to commit similar atrocities. Civilization and peaceful nations, like the United States, can ill afford failures of justice, let alone tolerate breakdowns of the magnitude of the Armenian genocide. On March 21, 1997, I introduced, along with Rep. David Bonior, H. Con. Res. 55, the Armenian genocide Resolution. This measure honors the memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide. As with similar resolutions in the past, this measure enjoys widespread bipartisan support. I believe the time has long since passed for all governments to publicly acknowledge and rebuke this fatal chapter in the history of human events. Mr. Speaker, the 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives during the genocide deserve our utmost respect. The highest honor this House can bestow on the victims is to secure a formal recognition from the Turkish government that the genocide indeed occurred. It is for their honor that we must wage this principled fight.”