[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 81 (Thursday, May 12, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E493]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION EVENT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOSH GOTTHEIMER

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2022

  Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record remarks I gave 
before the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian 
Assembly of America.

       It's an honor to speak with you today. I'm Josh Gottheimer, 
     representing New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, and 
     I'm also the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers 
     Caucus. Throughout my time in Congress, I've always been 
     proud to fight for our great Armenian American community in 
     North Jersey--one of the largest in the country.
       Tonight, I want to thank my friends with the Armenian 
     National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of 
     America, and also acknowledge any clergy and faith leaders 
     joining us.
       We are gathered here today to remember April 24th, 1915: 
     the painful day when hundreds of Armenian intellectuals were 
     rounded up and ultimately murdered at the beginning of the 
     Armenian Genocide. May their memory be a blessing to us all.
       By coming together to commemorate this atrocity, we not 
     only mourn the lives lost, but we continue to rededicate 
     ourselves to recognizing and speaking out against genocide 
     around the globe and ensuring that we stand united in 
     condemning hatred and violence.
       I believe that it is our duty to speak out honestly about 
     historical facts and recognize the massacre of 1.5 million 
     Armenians, as well as Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, 
     Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians by the Ottoman 
     Empire.
       As the husband of someone who lost entire parts of her 
     family during the Nazis' attempt to exterminate European 
     Jewry, the need to recognize genocide is a deeply personal 
     one.
       I know that it is never the wrong time to bear witness and 
     tell the truth, and that the United States should never be 
     complicit in denying genocide.
       For too long, this genocide has been denied, and the 
     victims and their families denied full justice.
       In October 2019--nearly three years ago--thanks to the 
     tireless efforts of activists and community leaders like all 
     of you, as was said, we were able to achieve the historic 
     passage in Congress of H. Res. 296--a resolution I was proud 
     to cosponsor and vote for--affirming the United States' 
     recognition of the Armenian genocide.
       I was also proud to work with my colleagues in the 
     bipartisan Congressional Armenian Caucus to write to 
     President Biden urging him to recognize the Armenian 
     Genocide.
       And last year, as was talked about, for the first time, the 
     sitting President of the United States formally declared the 
     truth.
       As we continue to see a rise in acts of hate and targeted 
     violence against ethnic and religious minorities around the 
     world, it is vital that we not conceal or be bystanders to 
     evil.
       By recognizing the Armenian Genocide, we pay tribute to the 
     perseverance of the survivors and the dedication and 
     contributions of the Armenian Americans who do so much to 
     strengthen our communities and our nation.
       I will continue to stand strong with our ally Armenia, in 
     the face of threats and continued attacks from its neighbors, 
     as we unfortunately have continued to see, even just in the 
     last couple months. That includes continuing our call for the 
     release of Armenian prisoners of war detained by Azerbaijan, 
     as well as continued support for critical humanitarian 
     assistance to Artsakh.
       Know that you have an ally in Congress, and that my door is 
     always open to you.
       Today, we solemnly commemorate the genocide committed 
     against the Armenian people. It is only by raising our voices 
     to acknowledge and remember these horrific crimes against 
     humanity, that we can look clearly into the future committed 
     to pursue justice and eradicate hate.
       Thank you, and God bless America.

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