03/04/10 - Remarks offered during House Committee on Foreign Affairs markup of H. Res. 252 - Mr. Chairman, it is not an overstatement to say that one of the reasons I went to Congress was to fight for human rights. It is one of the reasons I am here at all. And therefore I must speak out for justice and oppose atrocities wherever they might be committed. And in recognizing the Armenian Genocide we remember and honor not only those who died in that tragic event, but we also renew our commitment to address calamities that are happening around our world today.

To the Armenian people I extend my condolences for their families of those who were killed and displaced. As Members of Congress we cannot change their past, but we can give comfort to those who survived and acknowledge the memories of those who perished. We can stand vigilant for human rights in this hour and in this time.

To the Turkish people, I respect and admire your great contributions to diplomacy, peace, and cooperation. My vote for this resolution is not a vote against the Turkish Government. This resolution is not aimed at the Turkish Government. This resolution addresses a prior government. However, I still know that the vote today may hurt and cause hurt for many, and I am sorry for that.

To my colleagues in Congress, we must reflect on our own past and acknowledge that the United States has committed grave injustices to Native Americans, African Americans, and others, and consider it may be well considered a genocide, and yet there has never been a resolution in the United States Congress calling actions against Native Americans or African Americans genocide.

If we are willing to acknowledge a tragedy that happened nearly 100 years ago half way across the world, then we should at least look into our own history and heal the wounds caused by our past. And that is why I have asked my staff to begin such a resolution, which I hope people will support.

Finally, we must ensure that this resolution does not impair the efforts to normalize relations between Armenia and Turkey.

There might be some who would use this resolution to undermine the progress that has been made, but we must remain committed to the people of Turkey and Armenia and support them in their protocols toward greater cooperation. Let us remind ourselves that remembering the past offenses must not deflect our attention from the current needs of the Armenian and Turkish peoples. The best way to honor the dead is to show support for the living, and we should pledge our support and our continued assistance to Armenia and Turkey and the people who live there.

1/29/2009 - Michael Messmer of the Gephardt Group Government Affairs, LLC emailed Jillian Barber (Scheduler) regarding meeting request with Turkish parliamentary delegation led by MP Suat Kiniklioglu on 02/04/09..

2/12/2009 - Michael Messmer of the Gephardt Group emailed Jillian Barber (Scheduler) regarding scheduling request for Mr. Murat Mercan, MP (Chairman, Turkish Grand National Assembly Foreign Affairs Commission) and delegation to meet with Ellison .

4/15/2009 - Lydia Borland of the Caspian Group LLC met with Minh Ta (Legislative Director) regarding US-Turkish relations.

7/22/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Minh Ta regarding H. Res. 252.

10/5/2009 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Kari Moe regarding Turkish Ambassador's upcoming lecture at Howard University.

2/22/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Keith Ellison US-Turkish relations.

2/22/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned and emailed Dustin Brandenburg US-Turkish relations.

2/23/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Dustin Brandenburg US-Turkish relations.

2/24/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Dustin Brandenburg US-Turkish relations.

3/1/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP emailed Dustin Brandenburg meeting Request.

3/2/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Kari Moe meeting Request.

3/3/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP met with Keith Ellison US-Turkish relations.

3/3/2010 - Albert Wynn of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP phoned Keith Ellison meeting Request.

3/3/2010 - Curt Clifton of the Dickstein Shapiro, LLP spoke with Kari Moe Set up a meeting.