Sen. Jack Reed: Genocide denial not consistent with US ideals
Rhode Island Senator Jack Reed stressed the need for U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide and spotlighted the plight of Kessab population during his remarks at the annual Armenian Genocide observance on Capitol Hill, held on April 9, 2014.
"Again I join my colleagues in encouraging the US to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. Denial of this history is not consistent with our country's sensitivity to human rights and to ensuring that never again will such genocide happen," explained Senator Reed. "We have to continue to educate our young people; we have to continue to hold up the example of the Armenian people and their contribution. I also want to express my concern about the recent and grave fighting affecting the Armenian community in Kessab, Syria that has forced many to flee. This community and so many others continue to struggle in the midst of this conflict. We must show our steadfast support to those who are affected," concluded Reed.
On April 9th, leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee - the two Congressional panels that conduct oversight of U.S. foreign policy - joined with more than two dozen of their legislative colleagues at a Capitol Hill remembrance of the Armenian Genocide. The annual observance featured, for the first time ever, a speech by a Turkish human rights leader, Ragip Zarakolu, calling for American recognition of the Armenian Genocide and an end to Turkey's denial of truth and justice for this crime against humanity.
The Armenian Genocide remembrance, organized by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian issues, in coordination with the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia, the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Armenian American organizations, was held before a standing-room-only crowd in the historic Gold Room of the Rayburn House Office Building.
The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, the Italian Chamber of Deputies, majority of U.S. states, parliaments of Greece, Cyprus, Argentina, Belgium and Wales, National Council of Switzerland, Chamber of Commons of Canada, Polish Sejm, Vatican, European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.