Senator Lieberman reiterates importance of Armenian Genocide affirmation

In response to a letter from Harry Keleshian, a longstanding Armenian Assembly trustee and activist, Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-CT) stated that the issue of U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide “cuts to the heart not only of our foreign policy, but of our morality as a nation.”

Lieberman, in describing the “systematic and deliberate campaign of mass murder perpetrated against the Armenian people,” stated that “even by the bloody standards of the 20th century, the annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians was one of the greatest crimes against humanity committed in the last hundred years – an evil we have a solemn duty never to forget.”

“As we look to the 95th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide this April 24, Senator Lieberman provides us with a poignant reminder of the importance of remembering history, and the need to redouble our efforts to end the scourge of genocide,” stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. “We commend Mr. Keleshian for his steadfast commitment and support of the Assembly and our work on Capital Hill,” added Ardouny. “With activists like Harry, along with our nationwide State Chair network, including Connecticut State Chair Sevan Angacian,we have a great team to help us advance our goals.”

In the January 25th letter to Connecticut resident Keleshian, Senator Lieberman also recalled the extraordinary efforts of Henry Morgenthau, the U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire at the time of the Armenian Genocide. Ambassador Morgenthau was the leading force behind America’s unprecedented humanitarian intervention, and his actions helped to save countless survivors.

S. Res. 316 was introduced last year by Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and John Ensign (R-NV), and continues to garner support with Senators Sam Brownback (R-KS) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) as the most recent cosponsors. The resolution, as Lieberman’s letter so aptly stated, “describes the history of the genocide in detail and calls on the President to recognize and commemorate it appropriately.” With the House of Representatives scheduled to consider the Armenian Genocide in Committee on March 4, the Assembly also urges the U.S. Senate to take action.

By remembering history and honoring the victims of the Armenian Genocide, Senator Lieberman hoped to renew America’s commitment “to the cause of stopping genocide and ethnic violence in our own time.”