04/23/15 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on the Armenian Genocide-

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide .

This year marks one hundred years since the tragedy of the Armenian Genocide. A systematic campaign of genocide against the Armenian people at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. What began with the killing of 300 Armenian leaders resulted in the deaths of one and a half million people and the forced exile of another 500,000.

It is often said that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it, which is why each year I call on the President to officially acknowledge this terrible chapter of history by using the word ''genocide." In a recent Detroit News article, a local resident said this,"The fact that 100 years later you still have to explain and prove that what happened to your ancestors was a premeditated crime on a massive scale really incurs a lot of pain for all Armenians."

In my home state of Michigan, 11,000 people of Armenian descent reside and may leading organizations have organized commemorative events leading up to April 24th. I have had the honor to attend many events at St. John's Armenian Church in Southfield where there stands a memorial which contains the remains of a genocide victim. We are also proud that the only Armenian research center attached to an American university is at the University of Michigan-Dearborn where the Center documents the Armenian genocide and current Armenian issues.

I am always pleased to co-sponsor Congressional resolutions that shed light on the true nature of this ethnic extermination, and honor its victims and survivors. On the 100th Anniversary, I recall with deep sorrow the stories passed down through families of death marches, labor camps, entire families wiped out, years of slavery, massacre, and starvation.

I respectfully request that all my colleagues join me today in honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide."