Recognizing Assyrian Memorial Day

Floor Speech

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Mr. KRISHNAMOORTHI. Madam Speaker, I rise in recognition of Assyrian Memorial Day, which is observed annually on August 7th, to honor the memory of all Assyrians who fell victim to genocide, mass atrocities, and persecution because of their ethnic and religious identity. This day commemorates the victims of the Assyrian Genocide of 1914-1923 and the Simele Massacre of 1933. August 7th marks the start of the Simele Massacre, during which the armed forces of the Kingdom of Iraq systematically targeted and killed thousands of Assyrians. Assyrian Memorial Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to the perseverance of the Assyrian people and revive efforts to bring accountability and justice for these almost century-old crimes,

While I rise to recognize the atrocities of the past, I also applaud the strength of the Assyrian-American community. Today, over 600,000 Assyrian Americans live in the United States, and I am proud to say that the 8th Congressional District of Illinois is home to a large and thriving Assyrian-American community. This community has enriched our neighborhood with its strength and determination. As a proud cosponsor of H. Res. 550, a resolution commemorating the Assyrian Genocide and urging Turkey to officially recognize the atrocity, I stand in solidarity with the vibrant Assyrian-American community I represent.

On August 7th, we remember the tragedies that the Assyrian people have faced but also recognize their resilience in the face of extreme injustice. Madam Speaker, I call on my fellow Members to stand alongside me in observing August 7th as Assyrian Memorial Day.

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