Washington, DC —Yesterday, Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) called on the U.S. Senate to pass a resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide. She is an original cosponsor of H.Res.296 which does the same.

(Rep. Tulsi Gabbard’s remarks as delivered on the House floor — watch video )

“Thank you Madam Speaker,

“The history of the United States has been intertwined with that of the Armenian people and the Armenian Genocide.

“It was American missionaries and diplomats who let the world know that the Ottoman Empire tried to ethnically cleanse itself of its Armenian and Christian populations. It was the United States that became home to many of the survivors of this genocide. Their experience inspired Raphael Lemkin to create the term genocide only to see his Jewish family suffer the same fate at the hands of Nazi Germany.

“The denial of the Armenian Genocide has had contemporary consequences.

“I have visited both Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. I saw a Turkey which denies genocide and has no fear of committing it again.

“In fact, Turkey has begun an ethnic cleansing of the Syrian Kurds in northern Syria.

“I’ve long called for our government to officially recognize the Armenian Genocide. I am an original cosponsor of H.Res.296.

“The House has spoken with a clear voice, breaking the silence, recognizing the Armenian Genocide and we call on the Senate and President Trump to do the same.

“We cannot allow history to repeat itself.”

Background: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is an original cosponsor of H.Res.296.

In 2017, she visited Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh as a Member of the House Armed Services Committee and part of a Congressional delegation led by the Congressional Armenian Caucus. During her visit she met with public and community leaders as well as academics to discuss issues of mutual interest to the U.S. and Armenia and opportunities to strengthen ties between the countries.

During her visit she witnessed the lasting impact that the Armenian Genocide had on Armenians in the region as well as the diaspora — including in the United States — and observed their resilience in the face of genocide denial and the struggle to maintain independence in Nagorno Karabakh.

The Hawai‘i’s State Legislature has passed resolutions reaffirming the Armenian Genocide and recognizing the independence of Nagorno Karabakh . Hawai‘i is one of 49 states to acknowledge the historical record on the Armenian Genocide.

About Rep. Tulsi Gabbard: Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard is serving her fourth term in the United States House representing Hawaii’s Second District, and serves on the House Armed Services and Financial Services Committees. She previously served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Homeland Security Committee. She was elected to the Honolulu City Council in 2010, and prior to that at age 21, was elected to the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 2002, becoming the youngest person ever elected in the state. Tulsi Gabbard has served in the Hawaiʻi Army National Guard for 16 years, is a veteran of two Middle East deployments, and continues to serve as a Major. Learn more about Rep. Tulsi Gabbard...

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