[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 33 (Thursday, March 17, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E469-E470]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    ANTHONY BARSAMIAN SPEAKS ELOQUENTLY ABOUT THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BARNEY FRANK

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 16, 2005

  Mr. FRANK of Massachusetts. Mr. Speaker, last month, Anthony 
Barsamian, Chairman of the Board of Directors for the Armenian Assembly 
of America, made an eloquent speech at the ``International Refuge, 
Relief and Recognition Tribute'' hosted by the Armenian-American 
community in California. Mr. Barsamian eloquently stressed the 
importance to all of us of remembering that ``the history of genocide 
must remain inviolable and periodically affirmed regardless of 
political discomfort or cost so that we may learn its lessons.''
  Mr. Speaker, I think it is a grave error that this Congress has not 
been allowed to vote on a resolution affirming this important point 
with regard to the terrible history of the genocide perpetrated against 
the Armenians. We cannot allow current foreign policy considerations to 
override our obligation in this critical area. Anthony Barsamian 
cogently and forcefully reminds us why such an omission is 
unacceptable, and I ask that his moving, thoughtful remarks be printed 
here.

Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian's Remarks at the 
``International Refuge, Relief and Recognition Tribute''--February 24, 
                                  2005

       Your Eminence, Reverend clergy, Your Excellencies, Ladies 
     and Gentlemen,
       This remembrance and recognition highlights two issues of 
     critical importance to the horrific recurrence of Genocide 
     and the apparent impotence of the world to stop this crime 
     against us all.
       First, the history of genocide must remain inviolable and 
     periodically affirmed regardless of political discomfort or 
     cost so that we may learn its lessons.
       Second, the actions of 3rd parties are vital to raising 
     awareness about the crime as soon as it becomes known, to 
     taking resolute steps to end the genocidal process, to bring 
     to account the perpetrators, to provide comfort to the 
     survivors, and to forever remember all instances of genocide.
       This is why the Armenian Assembly joined with the AGBU and 
     the Diocese to remember those nations and organizations that 
     took action while the Armenian Genocide was being carried out 
     and subsequently. Armenians remain deeply indebted to all who 
     refused the easy path of indifference and inaction. You saved 
     lives, you affirmed the truth, and you bore witness so that 
     the world would be better equipped to act on the meaning of 
     ``Never Again''.
       As is evident today, the Republic of Turkey refuses to 
     accept the judgment of history that the Ottoman Turkish 
     government committed genocide against its Armenian minority. 
     Instead, Turkey attempts to impose its revisionism on a 
     civilized world that knows better, but occasionally succumbs 
     to Turkish demands and intimidation by refraining from 
     affirming the truth. Nations

[[Page E470]]

     who had initially committed to participate in this 
     recognition commemoration withdrew in the face of such 
     Turkish pressure. This solves nothing. The dead are not 
     honored for their sacrifice. The actions of the righteous are 
     not recalled. And ironically, the descendants of the 
     victimizers are not allowed to come to terms with the truth.
       Nevertheless, we pause today as we begin this 90th 
     commemorative year to give thanks to all nations and 
     organizations that came to our aid--but particularly to those 
     that attended today despite the Turkish government's campaign 
     to stop you.
       For Turkey's state sponsored denial effort, having this 
     event is a defeat. This is a good day for the truth. As 
     Armenian-Americans, we recall with special appreciation the 
     leading role of the United States in attempting to prevent 
     the Armenian Genocide and in aiding those that survived. As 
     Armenian-Americans, we look to the United States to continue 
     this proud chapter of American history by reaffirming the 
     facts of this most calamitous chapter of Armenian history. 
     There is an inevitability to universal affirmation of the 
     Armenian Genocide, and America has not and will not be an 
     exception.
       A case in point is the recently concluded visit of U.S. 
     Ambassador to Armenia John Evans with major Armenian-American 
     communities across the country. In his public commentaries, 
     Ambassador Evans repeatedly employed the words ``Armenian 
     Genocide'' to properly characterize the attempted 
     annihilation of our people by Ottoman Turkey.
       This is in keeping with President Reagan's proclamation of 
     April 22, 1981 where he stated in part, ``like the genocide 
     of the Armenians before it, and the genocide of the 
     Cambodians which followed it--and like too many other 
     persecutions of too many other people--the lessons of the 
     Holocaust must never be forgotten''. . .
       And also with the thrust of President Bush's 2001 to 2004 
     April 24 messages that set forth the textbook definition of 
     genocide without using the word. Ambassador Evans completed 
     the thought.
       The Ambassador's characterization also is in keeping with 
     the public declarations of over 120 renowned Holocaust and 
     Genocide scholars regarding ``the incontestable fact of the 
     Armenian Genocide''.
       Further, Ambassador Evans' characterization conforms to the 
     summary conclusion of the International Center for 
     Transitional Justice on the use of the term Armenian 
     Genocide. ICTJ stated that ``the Events, viewed collectively, 
     can thus be said to include all of the elements of the crime 
     of genocide as defined in the Convention, and legal scholars 
     as well as historians, politicians, journalists and other 
     people would be justified in continuing to so describe 
     them.''
       The Armenian-American community will not rest until the 
     United States formally and irrevocably reaffirms the Armenian 
     Genocide. By so doing, we forever advance the special role of 
     the United States in genocide prevention.
       Today, we are here to honor 17 nations who have joined the 
     movement towards universal affirmation of the Armenian 
     Genocide. You have appropriately remembered this instance of 
     man's inhumanity to man. You have stepped forward to combat 
     denial and revisionism. We will never forget your solidarity.
       As Voltaire said, ``to the living we owe respect, but to 
     the dead we owe only the truth''.

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