Political Quotes

“I rise today in observance of the 79th anniversary of the Armenian genocide by the Ottoman Turkish Empire and I thank my colleague, Mr. Lehman from California, for calling this special order. From 1915-1923, the Ottoman Turks carried out a genocide of the Armenian people through a calculated scheme of massacres and forced exile. One and a half million Armenian women, men and children were killed and over 500,000 Armenians were forced from their homeland of 3000 years. Some of those exiled from their historic motherland made their new homes in the United States. Descendants of these Armenian exiles continue to make valuable contributions to our society. Armenian-Americans play an important role in California's diverse communities. My district of San Francisco is blessed with a strong and civic-minded Armenian-American population. This week, these San Franciscans will remember the Armenian genocide with a commemorative program and cultural performances. The Armenian school in San Francisco will take time during social studies classes to teach about the horrible 8-year genocide. I join with my colleagues in the House and Senate as well as my constituents in San Francisco and Armenians throughout the country and world in honoring the memories of the many victims of the tragic Armenian genocide.”