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Earlier today, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV) introduced the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the U.S. Senate, the Armenian Assembly of America told Panorama.am.

"In the face of Turkey's ongoing denial of the Armenian Genocide, we commend Senators Menendez and Ensign for their commitment to reaffirm this incontestable fact and the proud chapter in U.S. history to help save the survivors of this terrible crime against humanity," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

The Senate action comes as the Assembly continues its advocacy efforts to ensure unequivocal U.S. affirmation. The Assembly's efforts registered gains in the House with seven additional cosponsors recently added to the House version of this bill. "Genocide affirmation and education are the keys to prevention. The Assembly will not rest until Armenian Genocide denial is defeated," added Ardouny.

On the introduction of this important measure, Menendez said: "Only when history's darkest hours are acknowledged and understood can we truly learn from them and build a peaceful future upon those lessons. One and a half million Armenians experienced Hell on Earth, and to sweep their plight under the rug is to insult their memories and their descendants. It is long past time that our nation help set the historical record straight and provide a foundation of understanding that helps prevent future atrocities."

Ensign added, "It is inconceivable that after so many years the international community has yet to affirm that the deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre and starvation of the Armenian people was genocide. By joining together and affirming that genocide was committed on the Armenian people, we send a strong message to the international community that we will not turn a blind eye to the crimes of the past simply because they are in the past."

This resolution calls upon the President to ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide, and for other purposes.

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues.