Joe Crowley: “April 24--two weeks from today--will mark the 88th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, when the government of Turkey…”

“April 24--two weeks from today--will mark the 88th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, when the government of Turkey systematically massacred 1.5 million Armenians and exile over one million more. This unanswered event set a historical precedent that has allowed governments to continue to commit crimes against humanity without remorse or punishment. While we are fighting a war in Iraq, I believe that now is the time for our government to formally recognize the Armenian Genocide and to send a strong message to the world that crimes against humanity will not be tolerated. That is why I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Congressional Genocide Resolution, which is scheduled to be introduced tomorrow morning. This resolution commemorates the 15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention and includes the events of the Armenian Genocide, Cambodia, Rwanda, and the Jewish Holocaust as examples of crimes against humanity that should never be forgotten. Additionally, I have also joined over 150 other members of Congress in signing a letter to President Bush urging him to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.”