OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Armenian Genocide

Floor Speech

Date: April 22, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs Arts, Entertainment, and History

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. SCHUMER. Madam President, one final issue. It has come to my attention that President Biden intends to have the United States formally recognize the Armenian genocide, becoming the first sitting U.S. President to do so. Great news. It is a long time coming and a step that I have called on Presidents of both parties to take.

Each year, I gather with Armenian Americans in Times Square to commemorate the annual anniversary of this atrocity. Every year, my heart breaks for the victims of the genocide and their descendants. There are very few left, but some very elderly people are sitting in the audience each year, reminding us how painful and how real that genocide was. The Turkish Government's idea of saying there was no genocide just defies history. I have seen the victims. I have talked to the victims.

Saturday marks the 106th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. I am so relieved, grateful, and moved that we can finally commemorate the anniversary with the knowledge that the Government of the United States, led by President Joseph Robinette Biden, has recognized the truth of the Armenian genocide at last.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT


Source
arrow_upward