Armenian Assembly of America Genocide Commemoration Event

Floor Speech

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Mr. GOTTHEIMER. Madam Speaker, I include in the Record remarks I gave before the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of America.

It's an honor to speak with you today. I'm Josh Gottheimer, representing New Jersey's Fifth Congressional District, and I'm also the Co-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. Throughout my time in Congress, I've always been proud to fight for our great Armenian American community in North Jersey--one of the largest in the country.

Tonight, I want to thank my friends with the Armenian National Committee of America and the Armenian Assembly of America, and also acknowledge any clergy and faith leaders joining us.

We are gathered here today to remember April 24th, 1915: the painful day when hundreds of Armenian intellectuals were rounded up and ultimately murdered at the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. May their memory be a blessing to us all.

By coming together to commemorate this atrocity, we not only mourn the lives lost, but we continue to rededicate ourselves to recognizing and speaking out against genocide around the globe and ensuring that we stand united in condemning hatred and violence.

I believe that it is our duty to speak out honestly about historical facts and recognize the massacre of 1.5 million Armenians, as well as Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians by the Ottoman Empire.

As the husband of someone who lost entire parts of her family during the Nazis' attempt to exterminate European Jewry, the need to recognize genocide is a deeply personal one.

I know that it is never the wrong time to bear witness and tell the truth, and that the United States should never be complicit in denying genocide.

For too long, this genocide has been denied, and the victims and their families denied full justice.

In October 2019--nearly three years ago--thanks to the tireless efforts of activists and community leaders like all of you, as was said, we were able to achieve the historic passage in Congress of H. Res. 296--a resolution I was proud to cosponsor and vote for--affirming the United States' recognition of the Armenian genocide.

I was also proud to work with my colleagues in the bipartisan Congressional Armenian Caucus to write to President Biden urging him to recognize the Armenian Genocide.

And last year, as was talked about, for the first time, the sitting President of the United States formally declared the truth.

As we continue to see a rise in acts of hate and targeted violence against ethnic and religious minorities around the world, it is vital that we not conceal or be bystanders to evil.

By recognizing the Armenian Genocide, we pay tribute to the perseverance of the survivors and the dedication and contributions of the Armenian Americans who do so much to strengthen our communities and our nation.

I will continue to stand strong with our ally Armenia, in the face of threats and continued attacks from its neighbors, as we unfortunately have continued to see, even just in the last couple months. That includes continuing our call for the release of Armenian prisoners of war detained by Azerbaijan, as well as continued support for critical humanitarian assistance to Artsakh.

Know that you have an ally in Congress, and that my door is always open to you.

Today, we solemnly commemorate the genocide committed against the Armenian people. It is only by raising our voices to acknowledge and remember these horrific crimes against humanity, that we can look clearly into the future committed to pursue justice and eradicate hate.

Thank you, and God bless America.

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