Rep. Cicilline joined by key Committee members in submitting questions on Armenian Genocide, U.S.-Armenia relationship and range of Armenian American Foreign Aid Concerns
House Foreign Affairs Committee member Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) questions Secretary Kerry during the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing on President Obama’s FY 2016 foreign aid request.
WASHINGTON—Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Calif.)—speaking on Feb. 25 from the dais of the U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee—directly called upon Secretary of State John Kerry, and by extension the entire Obama-Biden Administration, to stop enforcing Turkey’s gag-rule against an honest American recognition of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“As Senator Kerry, you championed recognition of the Armenian Genocide. We are now at the 100th anniversary and I would hope that you would show the courage that you are personally known for and on April 24 use the word genocide to describe what happened in Anatolia 100 years ago,” urged Sherman, as part of a series of questions to Kerry during yesterday’s House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing, titled, “Advancing U.S. Interests in a Troubled World: The FY 2016 Foreign Affairs Budget.”
Click here to view the embedded video.
Kerry’s response to this question and others submitted by Congressman David Cicilline (D-R.I.) and several committee members on a broad range of Armenian American concerns are anticipated in the upcoming weeks.
House Foreign Affairs Committee member David Cicilline (D-R.I.) questions Secretary Kerry during the House Foreign Affairs Committee Hearing.
Cicilline, a leading voice for Armenian Genocide justice on the committee, explained, “Today, at a hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I directed questions to Secretary of State John Kerry regarding our bilateral relationship with Armenia and the Armenian Genocide. As we prepare to mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, it is especially important to raise awareness of these atrocities and work to ensure that the world never again experiences a similar tragedy. I will continue to closely monitor these issues and I look forward to continuing to work with advocates both in my district and across the country, especially the Armenian National Committee of America.”
ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian expressed appreciation to Sherman, Cicilline and all committee members submitting inquiries. “With Representative Sherman today—as he spoke his powerful words—were the spirits of those killed in this still unpunished crime, and the hopes of all those working for the day when America’s response to genocide is not determined by a geopolitical calculation, but rather driven by a moral imperative,” said Hamparian.
Kerry has participated in a marathon set of Senate and House hearings this week focusing on President Barack Obama’s proposed Fiscal Year 2015 foreign aid budget. The complete video from the House Foreign Affairs Committee hearing can be viewed at:
The post Sherman Calls on Kerry to ‘Show Courage,’ Recognize Armenian Genocide appeared first on Armenian Weekly.