04/24/13 - Statement submitted for the Congressional Record - Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. This yearly commemoration is a testament to the lives and legacy of the 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives, and is emblematic of our commitment to keeping the Armenian nation and culture alive.

Today, as we revisit this dark period in world history, we must be mindful of the lessons learned from this tragedy. We have witnessed that blind hatred and senseless prejudice tear at the very fabric of our society, even today. The victims of the Armenian Genocide, the Holocaust, ethnic cleansings in Kosovo, Rwanda, and Sudan, and acts of vicious terrorism remind us of the human cost of hate. We must do everything in our power to prevent these kinds of senseless tragedies from happening again.

We remember the past and pledge our support for ensuring a positive and secure future for the Armenian nation and its people. Armenians now live all around the world, including many in my District and throughout the United States. As the Ranking Member of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee, I support our yearly package of assistance to Armenia, including funds available for activities that further a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh. I have also cosponsored legislation calling on the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights violations and the ethnic cleansing during the Armenian Genocide. Finally, as an active member of the Armenian Caucus, it is my pleasure to continue working on behalf of the U.S.-Armenia relationship in Congress.

In honoring the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide, we must commit to building a strong, prosperous, and stable Armenia. I am proud to be a partner in this effort and thank my colleagues who have also pledged their support.