Wendy Sherman: “Today is a great day because, after decades of struggle, this House will recognize the Armenian genocide, just in time…”

“Today is a great day because, after decades of struggle, this House will recognize the Armenian genocide, just in time to be viewed by the last survivors of the first genocide of the 20th century. Two weeks ago, I came to this floor and I said now is the time, finally, to recognize the Armenian genocide because it was no longer the time to kowtow to Turkey. Since then, many of us have approached the Speaker and urged her to put this bill on the floor. But this great day belongs to Nancy Pelosi, our Speaker, who made the decision to bring it to the floor, where we will pass this resolution, H. Res. 296, which I and so many others introduced to this House in April of this year. And, of course, I have cosponsored and been an original cosponsor of every Armenian genocide resolution since 1997. We always should have recognized the Armenian genocide, but we were told again and again that we wouldn't do it because we have this great alliance with Turkey. Earlier this month, Turkish forces shelled to the left and then to the right of an American base. It seemed clear to many that they were ready to kill Americans. America withdrew. And this was not some well- planned, careful, deliberate withdrawal. We left because of the Turkish shelling and the Turkish threats. Great alliance? It has been a great alliance for Turkey. We defended them from communism. We defended them from the Soviet Union. We provided them $23 billion in aid.…”