[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 59 (Thursday, April 10, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S2374]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ANNIVERSARY

  Mr. MARKEY. Mr. President, the Armenian genocide is sometimes called 
the ``forgotten genocide.'' But every April, we come together to 
remember and commemorate the Armenian genocide and to declare that we 
will never forget.
  In order to prevent future genocides, we must clearly acknowledge and 
remember those of the past. For many years the Congress has had before 
it a resolution which clearly affirms the factual reality that the 
Armenian genocide did occur. I was a strong and vocal supporter of the 
genocide resolution for my entire tenure in the House, and I am proud 
to have joined Senator Menendez and Senator Kirk in introducing the 
Armenian genocide resolution in the Senate.
  This is the 99th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, yet the 
suffering will continue for Armenians and non-Armenians alike as long 
as the world allows denial to exist and prevail. It is long overdue for 
the United States to join the many other nations that have formally 
recognized the Armenian genocide.
  That is why today's passage by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 
of the genocide resolution in advance of the 99th anniversary is so 
historic. I was proud to vote for this important resolution today in 
committee, and I will keep fighting to ensure its passage by the full 
Senate. I will continue to work with the Armenian-American community to 
build a prosperous and bright future for the Armenian people.
  We must continue to stand with our ally Armenia to address the 
challenges they face. Armenia is confronted with blockades by Turkey 
and Azerbaijan--one of the longest lasting blockades in modern history. 
The United States must provide increased assistance to Armenia, work to 
promote trade with Armenia, and work to reestablish the Turkish 
Government's commitment to normalized relations. And the United States 
should work to facilitate a closer relationship between Armenia and 
Europe.
  The Armenian people are true survivors. Despite repeated invasions, 
loss of land, and the loss of between one-half and three-quarters of 
their population in the genocide, the people of Armenia have prevailed.
  We have a shared responsibility to ensure that the Armenian people 
are able to build their own independent and prosperous future. Together 
we can continue to build an Armenia that is respected and honored by 
its allies and neighbors. But for this to happen, there needs to be 
universal acknowledgement of the horror that was the Armenian genocide.

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