The Armenian Community Has a Secret Weapon: U.S. Congressman

'A new era has opened for Armenia,' announced Congressman Jackie Speier during her speech at the U.S. Congress commemorating the Armenian Genocide, as reported by 'Voice of America.'

'A wonderful new day has opened for Armenia with Prime Minister Pashinyan, whose wife we had the honor of hosting a week ago. Whenever I think of them, I can’t help but smile, as Pashinyan managed to transform the country into a bright democracy, and it all happened peacefully; people were just dancing in the streets, without a drop of blood shed,' said Congressman Speier, whose mother was Armenian. The congresswoman stated that she also planned to send a letter to President Donald Trump, urging the U.S. leader to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

'In this matter, the Armenian community has a secret weapon,' joked Jackie Speier, 'it is necessary for Kim Kardashian to tweet at Donald Trump to recognize the Armenian Genocide.' But seriously, the United States has an obligation to recognize the first genocide of the 20th century, the congresswoman believes.

'Our country stands as a defender of human rights and a supporter of the truth, and there is no reason why a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide should not be adopted in the House of Representatives.'

Co-sponsor of the Armenian Genocide recognition resolution, influential Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff also stated in his speech that it is a moral imperative. 'After all, denial of genocide, as Elie Wiesel described, is a double murder,' noted Schiff, adding that this denial policy has today turned into violence and loss of human life in Artsakh. Congressman Brad Sherman also raised the issue of American aid to Artsakh in Congress on Tuesday morning, where he received assurances from the U.S. government that the United States plans to allocate financial resources for demining efforts in the region.

Regarding the Armenian Genocide, which the official Ankara denies, Congressman Sherman stated that it is a historical fact whose recognition is also necessary for Turkey, which would then become a completely different country.

'Imagine, who would want to be an ally of Germany if it denied the Holocaust.'

Congressman Frank Pallone, co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, again referred to Armenia's 'Velvet Revolution,' which, according to him, should be appreciated by the United States, as many former Soviet states are heading down the path of dictatorship, while Armenia has managed to choose the right path.

It should be noted that on Monday, a resolution recognizing the Armenian Genocide, co-sponsored by Democratic Congressman Adam Schiff and Republican Congressman Gus Bilirakis, was introduced in the House of Representatives and has already received support from over seventy members of Congress. According to the Armenian National Committee of America, a resolution on the recognition of the Armenian Genocide has also been submitted in the upper chamber of Congress—the Senate. Its co-sponsors include influential Democratic Senator Bob Menendez and Republican Senator Ted Cruz. It is also noteworthy that the U.S. Congress passed resolutions recognizing the Armenian Genocide in 1975 and 1984. In 1981, former President Ronald Reagan also recognized the Armenian Genocide in his address.