[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10661-S10662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NOMINATION OF RICHARD HOAGLAND

  Mr. ENSIGN. Mr. President, I rise to speak today about an issue of 
great importance to the Armenian community, the nomination of Richard 
Hoagland to be the next U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Armenia.
  I respect the office of the President and the powers that are granted 
to appoint individuals that are in support of the administration's 
agenda; however, there is justifiable concern about the recall of our 
Ambassador to a regionally important country and the subsequent 
nomination of his replacement. The reported reason for the recall of 
Ambassador Evans revolves around the failure of our Government to 
officially recognize the Armenian genocide. That is unacceptable.
  Once again, I want to go on record as being opposed to the continued 
denial of the Armenian genocide. The bigger issue is not that of an 
appointment of this or any official who recognizes his duties and will 
be diligent in carrying them out but of acknowledging the genocide as 
part of an appropriate foreign policy.

[[Page S10662]]

  I have long sought to bring recognition to the crimes perpetuated 
against the Armenian people as genocide. In fact, I have introduced S. 
Res. 320, which affirms the Armenian genocide. The resolution calls on 
the President to state that the slaughter of Armenians by the Ottoman 
Empire was genocide and to recall the proud history of U.S. 
intervention in opposition to the Armenian genocide. It is important 
that the U.S. once and for all reaffirms the incontestable facts of 
history and allows our representatives to speak out about the crimes 
perpetuated against the Armenian people from 1915 to 1923. It is my 
sincere hope that this legislation comes before the full Senate soon.
  As we fight to ensure freedom around the globe, we must ensure that 
our future reflects the lessons of the past. In this case the facts are 
incontestable. Armenians were subjected to deportation, expropriation, 
abduction, torture, massacre, and starvation. Yes, the Armenian people 
were victims of genocide. Genocide at any time, at any place, is wrong 
and needs to be confronted and remembered.

                          ____________________