WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Cory Gardner (R-CO) introduced a Senate Resolution today commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2015.

"One hundred years ago, 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children were killed by Ottoman Turks during the Armenian Genocide," Senator Menendez said. “It is past time for this atrocity to be recognized for what it was: a targeted ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population. This Resolution makes clear that it is unacceptable to deny the facts and history of the Armenian Genocide and continue to silence the voices of those who perished. As the world gathers to commemorate the centenary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24th, the United States must commit itself to recognizing the full meaning, magnitude and history of this genocide in order to both honor the innocent victims and prevent similar tragedies from happening again.”

"100 years is far too long not to call the murder of 1.5 million Armenians what it was: genocide,” said Senator Kirk. “In April 1915 during the beginning of WWI, the Ottoman Turks systematically killed 1.5 million Armenians and forced many others to flee their homeland. It is long past time that the United States recognize it as a genocide and honor the victims, those who survived and ensure atrocities such as this never happen again," Senator Kirk said.

“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide – an unspeakable tragedy that has left a dark stain on the collective conscience of the world,” Senator Boxer said. “More than 20 countries, 43 U.S. states and Pope Francis have unequivocally affirmed the Armenian Genocide and it is time for the United States to join them.”

“This year marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of one of the greatest crimes against humanity of the 20th century, the Armenian Genocide,” said Senator Gardner. “The lives of as many as 1.5 million men, women, and children were brutally ended, leaving lasting scars on the families and communities affected. This resolution honors the memory of those who were killed, and helps us resolve anew to never allow such an event to occur again.”

The resolution expresses the sense of the Senate and calls for the following:

  • To remember and commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2015
  • That the President work toward an equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relationship that includes the full acknowledgment by the Government of the Republic of Turkey of the facts about the Armenian Genocide
  • That the President ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide relating to the Armenian Genocide

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