08/14 - Rep. Sherman was the first Member of Congress to condemn recent escalating Azerbaijani aggression against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, stating: 'I am deeply saddened by the recent reports of escalated violence on the Nagorno-Karabakh and Armenia border and the deaths of several Armenian and Azeri soldiers. I am taken aback by Azerbaijan?s attacks on Red Cross staff in a border village in Armenia and Baku?s decision to use sniper rifles in this conflict after several years of respecting the decision by both sides to refrain from doing so. It is my sincere hope that Azerbaijan will abstain from further sniper attacks and instead engage in meaningful resolution talks with Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.', . http://asbarez.com/125890/congressional-pressure-grows-to-stop-aliyevs-aggression/

07/03/14 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record congratulating the Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. for his service. - 'Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the distinguished service of His Excellency Tatoul Markarian, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America.

His Excellency Dr. Markarian is completing his term as Ambassador to the United States after nine years of service. Dr. Markarian has been a crucial figure in fostering relations between Armenia and the United States.

As Armenian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Markarian has been credited with creating closer ties with the United States by coordinating visits between the two countries' government officials and diplomats. He has been instrumental in securing increased humanitarian assistance from the U.S. to both Armenia and Artsakh, two struggling economies that are in great need of economic support. This has been highlighted by Armenia becoming a competitive potential candidate for Millennium Challenge Corporation funding, which aims to reduce widespread poverty and strengthen infrastructure. Ambassador Markarian has also been largely responsible for coordinating improved bilateral talks between both countries, through the U.S.-Armenia Economic Task Force and Strategic Dialogue.

Dr. Markarian has had a long career in public service. He served in the Republic of Armenia's legislative and executive branches at a crucial time, during the Republic's early years, first as assistant to the Vice Chairman of the newly created Armenian parliament, then as an advisor to the Vice President of Armenia and Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister. During his tenure as Ambassador to the United States he concurrently serves as the Ambassador to Mexico.

I commend his Excellency Dr. Markarian on his service and accomplishments. His service has strengthened the relationship between Armenia and America. I wish the best for him, his wife, and three sons in their future endeavors.'

03/31/14 - Sixteen Ferrahian School students, grandchildren of Kessab Armenians, together with English language teacher Anita Aghamanoukian, visited the San Fernando Valley office of Rep. Sherman and hand delivered letters regarding the attack on Kessab to the office. Senior class student Haig Derderian, on behalf of the student body, expressed to the staff of the Congressman the frustration and emotions of the students regarding the atrocities occurring in the town of Kessab and its occupation by Turkish supported extremist groups in Syria. http://asbarez.com/121402/ferrahian-students-of-kessab-descent-hand-deliver-letters-to-rep-sherman/

03/14/14 - Rep. Sherman urged Secretary of State John Kerry to zero-out U.S. military assistance to Azerbaijan, citing the Aliyev regime?s ongoing aggression against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.

During the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, Rep. Sherman began his questioning on Armenian American concerns by reminding Secretary Kerry about his support for Armenian Genocide affirmation during his years in the Senate. ?I commend you as Senator Kerry for your incredible record of fighting for recognition of the Armenian genocide and hope that as Secretary Kerry you will do likewise,? stated Rep. Sherman.

The Congressman went on to focus on the Azerbaijan?s increasing belligerence against Armenia and Karabakh, citing Pres. Aliyev?s glorification of convicted axe-murderer Ramil Safarov. ?It was the Azeri soldier that murdered a sleeping Armenian soldier at a NATO exercise has been promoted and praised. And in light of that and other aggression I hope that you will review and perhaps withdraw the idea of any military assistance to Azerbaijan,? stated Rep. Sherman. ?I hope that you would also warn the Azeris that it?s simply outrageous for them to threaten to shoot down civilian aircraft that try to fly into the Nagorno-Karabakh airport,? concluded Rep. Sherman.http://asbarez.com/120676/rep-sherman-presses-secretary-kerry-on-armenian-american-foreign-aid-priorities/

02/27/14 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record on the Sumgait / Baku Pogroms - 'Mr. Speaker, 26 years ago today was the first day in a three-day pogrom perpetrated against the Armenian residents of Sumgait in then-Soviet Azerbaijan. Although official figures reported 30 deaths, it is believed that hundreds were murdered and injured as a result of the pogrom.

Just a week before the violence erupted, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh voted to unify region with Armenia--the beginning of the Karabakh movement. In the days immediately after this vote Azeri civilians and local officials in the city of Sumgait held rallies calling for ``death to Armenians''.

On the night of February 27, 1988, Armenian residents in Sumgait were targeted and indiscriminately raped, mutilated and murdered. Calls for help from Armenians were ignored by local police and city officials. Journalists were shut out from the area. The violence raged on for three days before Soviet troops were able to put an end to the pogrom.

Witnesses of the horrific massacres later testified that the attacks were planned, as civilians had gathered weapons and the exits of the cities were blocked in advance to prevent Armenians from escaping. The homes of Armenians were marked so that the Azeri mobs could easily target them.

Unfortunately, the perpetrators of the pogrom succeeded in their ultimate goal--driving out Armenians. Fearing more violence, Armenians fled Sumgait . Later that year, another anti-Armenian pogrom occurred in Kirovabad, Azerbaijan from November 21st to 27th, which also forced hundreds of Armenians to flee the region. In January of 1990 violent mobs targeted the Armenian community of Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.

I would like to honor the memory of Armenians killed in the pogroms of Sumgait , Kirovabad, and Baku. If we hope to stop future massacres, we must acknowledge these horrific events and ensure they do not happen again.

This month also marked the 10th anniversary of the heinous murder of Armenian Army Lieutenant Gurgen Margaryan at a NATO training camp in Budapest, by Ramil Safarov, a Lieutenant of the Azerbaijani Army. Safarov used an axe to hack Margaryan to death while he was sleeping. After being convicted of murder by Hungarian courts, he was transferred to Azerbaijan where he was immediately pardoned and given a hero's welcome. Several Azerbaijan government officials have hailed Safarov's actions as patriotism. This is unacceptable, and the international community should hold Azerbaijan accountable for this.

Recognizing the ethnic-cleansing of the Armenians from Azerbaijan is an important step. However, we need to do more--we need to demonstrate to Azerbaijan that the United States is committed to peace and to the protection of Artsakh from coercion.

We must call for an end to all threats and acts of coercion by Azerbaijan's government against the Republic of Nagorno Karabakh.

Congress should strengthen Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act by removing the President's ability to waive U.S. law prohibiting aid to Azerbaijan because of its continuing blockade against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. In 1992, Congress prohibited aid to Azerbaijan because of its continuing blockade against Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. However, in 2001, Congress approved a waiver to this provision and administrations have used the waiver since then to provide aid to Baku. Azerbaijan should not be provided aid from the United States as long as they continue a policy of threats and blockades against Artsakh.

I urge the Administration to remove all barriers to broad-based U.S.-Nagorno-Karabakh governmental and civil society communication, travel and cooperation.'

01/24/14 - Issued the following statement on the unprovoked killing of an Armenian soldier, Armen Hovannisyan, by Azeri forces along the border of Nagorno-Karabakh.

?Just four days before a meeting scheduled between Azerbaijan?s and Armenia?s Foreign Ministers to discuss a peaceful resolution to the conflict between Azerbaijan and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh, Azeri forces have tragically killed yet another Armenian soldier in an unprovoked attack on the Artsakh and Azerbaijan border. As I stated last December when an Armenian soldier was killed, Azerbaijan continues to show that it is not serious about establishing peaceful relations with Artsakh and repeatedly creates obstacles to the peace process.

?Azerbaijan and its forces must be held accountable for these ruthless displays of violence. I have been a longtime advocate for a peaceful resolution of the conflict between Azerbaijan and Karabakh and the recognition of the independent Republic of Karabakh.?

12/17/13 - Released the following statement on the unprovoked killing of an Armenian soldier, Hrant Poghosyan, by Azerbaijani forces along the border of Nagorno-Karabakh.

?Azerbaijan has yet again shown that it is not serious about establishing peaceful relations with Armenia and Artsakh. Despite the request for a ceasefire during the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Azeri forces have killed an Armenian solider, Hrant Poghosyan. The shooting was unprovoked and Armenian forces have respected the request for a ceasefire.'

?Azerbaijan?s actions continue to harm the cause of peace. Last year, Azerbaijan celebrated a murderer, Ramil Safarov, who violently killed an Armenian soldier during a NATO Partnership for Peace exercise. Azerbaijan and its forces must be held accountable for this latest display of violence towards Armenia and lack of respect for the OSCE?s settlement negotiations. I will continue to stand by Artsakh and Armenia in their ongoing quest for peace and security.'
http://asbarez.com/117548/sherman-condemns-armenian-soldier-killing/

12/05/13 - On Thursday, Dec. 5, Representative Brad Sherman (CA-30) met with the Speaker of the Parliament of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Ashot Ghulian, who thanked Rep. Sherman for his unwavering dedication to the people of Artsakh.

?I am proud to reassert my commitment to Artsakh and recognize its outstanding achievements in promoting progress and democratization,? Sherman said. ?I will continue to work in the Foreign Affairs Committee to make sure our foreign policy is supportive of the independence and prosperity of Artsakh.?

At their meeting, Rep. Sherman and Mr. Ghulian discussed U.S. aid to Artsakh, as well as strengthening cultural, security and economic ties between their two nations. Rep. Sherman expressed support for Artsakh?s right to open a civilian airport in Stepanakert despite Azerbaijan?s threats. Mr. Ghulian reported to Rep. Sherman the latest on the ongoing negotiations between Azerbaijan and Karabakh. They expressed a commitment to work together to ensure that U.S.-Artsakh friendship and partnership grows even further. http://asbarez.com/117051/sherman-meets-with-speaker-of-artsakh-parliament/

10/25/13 - Was the first to send a public letter to the White House urging the permanent display of the Armenian Genocide orphan rug. Read the full letter here: http://asbarez.com/115499/rep-sherman-calls-for-permanent-display-of-orphan-rug-at-smithsonian/

04/25/13 - During a House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on foreign aid, in response to questions from Rep. Sherman, the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Daniel Yohannes noted his expectation that a new MCC aid package for Georgia would include funding for Armenian language education and for schools in the Javakhk region. Representative Sherman also directed comments and questions to USAID Administrator Shah, who, along with Yohannes, offered testimony before the panel. Their complete exchange went as follows:

Rep. Sherman: I?m somewhat concerned that the Administration request cuts aid to Armenia. I think you ought to increase that instead. And if you?re looking for a source of funds you could look at U.S. aid of all types to Azerbaijan, which is thwarting our development efforts for the area by threatening to shoot down civilian aircraft that go into Stepanakert?s new airport.

I?ve talked to Mr. Ohannes about the Javakhketi region of Georgia. We provide very substantial aid to Georgia and I hope, as I discussed with him ? and now I have chance to discuss with you ? that a significant part of our aid would go to that otherwise neglected region. And I?ll ask, if I have a chance, Mr. Ohannes, to describe what is the status of our second compact with Georgia, and will Javakhketi be a strong focus if that compact is concluded?

Daniel Yohannes (MCC): The investment proposal has proceeded extremely well and should be presented to the board sometime in June of this year. And, Mr. Congressman, please know that there is some funding that is set aside for Armenian language and also for a number of schools in the region.

04/13 - At the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing with Secretary Kerry, Rep. Sherman said, 'I hope that you would condemn Azerbaijan's threats to shoot down civilian airliners that fly into the Nagorno-Karabakh (ph) airport, and Turkey's blockade of Armenia.'