Frank Pallone: “Tomorrow in the House Committee on International Relations a very important debate will take place. The members of that…”

“Tomorrow in the House Committee on International Relations a very important debate will take place. The members of that committee will determine if this House of Representatives is able to vote on a resolution that would finally pay tribute to the victims of one of history's worst crimes against humanity, the Armenian Genocide of 1915 through 1923. The Armenian Genocide was the systematic extermination of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children during the final years of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. This was the first genocide of the 20th century, but sadly not the last. Yet, Mr. Speaker, I regret to say that the United States still does not officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. Bowing to strong pressure from Turkey, the U.S. State Department has for more than 15 years shied away from referring to the tragic events of 1915 to 1923 by using the word 'genocide.' President Clinton and his recent predecessors have annually issued proclamations on the anniversary of the Genocide, expressing sorrow for the massacres and solidarity with the victims and survivors, but always stopping short of using the word 'genocide,' thus minimizing and not accurately conveying what really happened beginning 83 years ago. In an effort to address this shameful lapse in our own Nation's record as a champion of human rights, a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress has been working to enact legislation affirming the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide.”