Peter Blute: “I am pleased to join my colleagues for this commemoration, and I thank Mr. Lehman for arranging it. Recent history has…”

“I am pleased to join my colleagues for this commemoration, and I thank Mr. Lehman for arranging it. Recent history has seen the Armenian people subjected to a number of very difficult, troubling and tragic circumstances. From being forced to live under the Soviet Communist regime, to the terrible 1988 earthquake--much worse than any this Nation has ever seen, to the present blockade and violence impose by the Azeris. The Armenian people have long suffered. But nothing is more tragic than the genocide which took place from 1915 to 1923; 1.5 million died, countless more lost mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, uncles and aunts, comrades and friends. We stand here, more than half a century later, to ensure that others will not forget. Not forget the massacres. Not forget the persecution. Not forget the death marches. Not forget the bloodshed. And not forget that all citizens in the world deserve to live in freedom without the threat of destruction by people that hate. As Americans, our forefathers helped the Armenians by providing millions of dollars in economic relief as well as homes and families for thousands upon thousands of orphans. Armenians-Americans have helped build our country and have done much to make this the great country that it is.”