Rep. Steel Speaks on House Floor to Recognize the Armenian Genocide
Joined more than 100 of her bipartisan colleagues this week in a letter to President Biden urging him to formally recognize the genocide
Washington, D.C. – Rep. Michelle Steel (CA-48) today spoke on the House Floor ahead of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day this Saturday, April 24th, highlighting the history of the genocide and the importance of sharing an accurate history. This week she joined more than 100 of her bipartisan colleagues urging the Administration to “directly recognize” the Armenian Genocide on April 24th. “The shameful silence of the United States Government on the historic fact of the Armenian Genocide has gone on for too long, and it must end. We urge you to follow through on your commitments and speak the truth,” the Members wrote. President Biden is expected to make remarks this weekend for the 106th anniversary of the beginning of the genocide.
In 1975 the U.S. House of Representatives passed a joint resolution designating April 24th as a National Day of Remembrance of Man’s Inhumanity to Man. In the resolution, “the President of the United States is authorized and requested to issue a proclamation calling upon the people of the United States to observe such day as a day of remembrance for all the victims of genocide, especially those of Armenian ancestry who succumbed to the genocide perpetrated in 1915, and in whose memory this date is commemorated by all Armenians and their friends throughout the world.”
Her floor speech as prepared can be seen below.
I rise to recognize the 106th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Saturday, April 24th is Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day.
On the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we mourn the innocent lives lost and renew our call to recognize these events for what they were – a genocide.
The Armenian people were removed from their homes and fell victim to a mass murder campaign between 1915 and 1916.
It is estimated that between 600,000 and 1 million Armenians were killed in this tragedy.
So many years later, people still do not call these events a genocide.
If we do not teach an accurate history, we are doomed to repeat it. It is our responsibility to recognize these horrors and to mourn them.
Southern California is home to a proud Armenian community, and I am honored to support many Armenians who reside in the 48th District.
I stand in solidarity with the Armenian community today and renew the call for the U.S. government to formally recognize these events as genocide.
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