U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs

Committee News

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Ranking Member Berman Recognizes 97th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide

Washington DC - Congressman Howard L. Berman, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, commemorated the 97th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide by emphasizing his commitment to achieving US recognition of the Ottoman genocide against the Armenian people.

This past weekend, Rep. Berman attended a ceremony at Holy Martyrs School in Encino, CA to recognize the 97th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

“1.5 million Armenians were slaughtered by the Ottoman Turks. That is a fact,” said Rep. Berman. “I am baffled, disturbed, and frankly offended by others around the world who know the truth in their hearts, yet refuse to acknowledge that truth, for purely geopolitical reasons.”

Rep. Berman continued: “As we mark the 97th anniversary of the start of one of history’s greatest crimes – the crime that gave birth to the very term ‘genocide’ – I re-dedicate myself to the cause of achieving American acknowledgement of that crime, and I pledge my ceaseless effort in that regard until we achieve our goal.”

Rep. Berman has always been a very strong supporter of U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide. As Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee, he played a key role in rounding up the votes to pass the Armenian Genocide resolution through the Committee.

Rep. Berman also co-authored a resolution urging Turkey to return churches and other properties confiscated from its Christian minorities and to allow those minorities full freedom of worship. In December 2011, the resolution passed the House with bipartisan support.

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