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Washington, D.C. --- U.S. Reps. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, recently welcomed more than 350 members of the Armenian community to Capitol Hill to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. They were joined by numerous Senators and Members of Congress.
The event, held April 20, was organized by the Armenian Caucus, with the participation of the Armenian Embassy and more than two dozen Armenian-American organizations.
"As Co-Chairs of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, we will continue to promote the pan-Armenian commemorative events of the Armenian Genocide every year on Capitol Hill," said Knollenberg and Pallone. "It was especially heartening for us to witness the community unite on this solemn occasion and encourage this spirit of cooperation."
Newly appointed Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Tatoul Markarian echoed the Congressmen and said, "Armenia has been appreciative of invaluable U.S. contributions to sustaining Armenia's statehood since its independence and to enhancing peace in Karabakh. I want to thank our friends on the Hill, including members of the Congressional Armenian Caucus and its Co-Chairs for their constant support of Armenia and Armenian issues over these years, and also for hosting tonight's Congressional Commemoration of the Armenian Genocide."
The commemoration event included keynote speeches by Dr. Ryan LaHurd of the Near East Foundation and Henry Morgenthau III, the grandson of U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire Henry Morgenthau, who was the first American to alert the world to the campaign of race extermination taking place.
More than a dozen lawmakers also helped mark the occasion with speeches highlighting the evening's theme: "American Response to the Armenian Genocide." Speakers included Senators John Kerry (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) as well as Representatives David Dreier (R-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Mark Kirk (R-IL), House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Nita Lowey (D-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), George Radanovich (R-CA), Edward Royce (R-CA), Thad McCotter (R-MI), Mark Foley (R-FL) and James Langevin (D-RI).
Nagorno Karabagh Representative Vardan Barseghian and Cypriot Ambassador to the U.S. Euripedes Evriades also participated in the commemoration ceremony. |
