09/23/14 - Tweeted about Der Zor Armenian Church destruction - I strongly condemn the reported desecration of an Armenian Genocide memorial in Syria by #ISIL ? http://bit.ly/XUy7fB.

04/10/14 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record - Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 99th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

The 9th Congressional District of Michigan, which I represent, is home to a vibrant Armenian -American community. Every member of this community has been tragically affected by the Armenian Genocide, despite the distance of time. I am proud to call them my friends. And I am proud to stand with them today.

This time every year, we pause in solemn remembrance and honor the victims who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire 99 years ago. The Armenian Genocide, an intentional and systematic campaign of mass murder, began with the deliberate targeting of 300 Armenian leaders and culminated in one and half million dead and 500,000 forcibly exiled from their homes.

And while the primary purpose of Armenian Remembrance Day is to remember, it also serves another important purpose. Indeed, the act of remembering, the commitment to never forget, sends a clear message to the world that we cannot abide a culture of impunity. That we will not gloss over historical atrocities.

That we must not fail to hold to account those responsible for gross human rights violations. If we fail to remember horrific acts like the Armenian Genocide, we doom ourselves to repeat the most tragic chapters of history.

Accordingly, during my time in Congress, I have cosponsored House resolutions that have clearly stated the U.S. record regarding the true nature of the Armenian Genocide--an officially orchestrated ethnic execution of innocent men, women and children.

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

04/26/13 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record - Mr. Speaker, I rise toady to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

For far too long, too many have failed to properly acknowledge this tragedy, let alone commemorate it and honor the lives of its victims. Indeed, despite reams of historical evidence, the actions of the Ottoman Empire 98 years ago have often been labeled something other than what they actually were: genocide.

In 1915, the government of the Ottoman Empire started a vicious and systematic campaign of genocide against the Armenian people. What began with the killing of 300 Armenian leaders ultimately resulted in the deaths of one and a half million people and the forced exile of another 500,000.

The chilling scale of this tragedy demands that we continue to commemorate the Armenian Genocide, and remember those who were lost. Throughout my time in Congress, I have cosponsored House resolutions that have affirmed the U.S. record regarding the true nature of this ethnic extermination, and honored its victims and survivors.

We must do all we can to ensure that the historical record contains the absolute truth--a commitment that will help fight against a sense of impunity. Through recognition and remembrance of the Armenian Genocide, we raise awareness of ``man's inhumanity to man,'' helping to stop similar tragedies from happening in the future.

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