Larry Pressler: “Today, I join with many of our colleagues in commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Today marks…”

“Today, I join with many of our colleagues in commemorating the 81st anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Today marks the exact day when 200 of the Armenia's academic, political, and religious leaders were taken from the city of Istanbul in 1915. The ability of Armenians to free themselves from the Ottoman Empire rested heavily on the plans and ideas of those who vanished. It was an ominous beginning to one of this century's darkest tragedies. This Senate should recognize and all Americans should remember, what occurred over there 81 years ago. That is why I stand here with my colleagues to urge an accurate remembrance of the past, of those who were slain by the Ottoman Turks, and plead that such hateful crimes against humanity never happen again. We stand in honor of those who were unable to take a stand 81 years ago today. We must try to heal the wounds of the past by remembering and recording the historical truths. The Ottoman Empire's actions--deliberate, planned, and deceitful actions--against the Armenian people should be remembered for what it actually was--genocide. The Armenian genocide was a hateful act whose objective was focused on the systematic annihilation of a people, their heritage, their culture, their identity, and their future. It is unfortunate that in recent years historians and politicians alike have tried to soften the terms used to describe this heinous crime against humanity.”