The co-chairman of the Congressional Turkey Caucus, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Democrat of Virginia, was part of a U.S. Congressional delegation that paid tribute to the martyrs of the Armenian Genocide at the Dzidzernagapert Memorial Complex in Yerevan on Thursday.
“This unprecedented visit – first-ever by a leader of a U.S. House caucus that aggressively obstructs honest U.S remembrance of the Armenian Genocide – may mark a retreat by Ankara’s traditional DC allies from decades of relentless attacks on this human rights issue,” said the Armenian National Committee of America in a Facebook post earlier Thursday.
“Good first step,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian in another Facebook post. “Next, he should cosponsor and work for the passage of H.Res.296,” referring to a resolution introduced last week in the U.S. House of Representatives aimed establishing, as a matter of U.S. policy: 1) the rejection of Armenian Genocide denial, 2) ongoing official U.S. government recognition and remembrance of this crime, and 3) the importance of education about the Armenian Genocide in preventing modern-day atrocities.
The members of Congress laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and paid tribute to the memory of the Genocide victims with a moment of silence.
They also visited the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, became acquainted with the exhibits and left a note in the Honorary Guest Book.
The Museum-Institute’s leadership handed over English-language books about the Armenian Genocide to the American lawmakers, who are part of the U.S. House Democracy Partnership Commission, a bi-partisan group that works directly with partner countries around the world to support the development of effective, independent, and responsive legislative institutions.
In addition to Rep. Connolly, the HDP delegation, which is headed by its co-chairs David Price (D-NC) and Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.) includes representatives Dina Titus (D-Nev.), Michael Conaway (R-Texas), Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), Adrian Smith (R-Neb.), Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) and Terri Sewell (D-Ala.). In addition to Armenia, the group will visit Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
The delegation arrived in Yerevan Wednesday and met with Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly Ararat Mirzoyan and His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians at Etchmiadzin. Armenian lawmakers Gayane Abrahamyan and Hovhannes Hovhannisyan are accompanying the delegation.
A VISIT TO THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE MEMORIAL AND MUSEUM MUST BE MANDATORY FOR ALL VISITING DIPLOMATS WITH NO QUESTIONS ASKED!!!!!!!!! KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!!!!
Do not fall turkish trap. The members of Congress laid flowers at the Eternal Flame and paid tribute to the memory of the Genocide victims with a moment of silence. The co-chairman of the Congressional Turkey Caucus, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Democrat of Virginia, was part of a U.S. Congressional delegation. what is congressional turkey caucus , I knew Armenian Caucus , people make up things. Why high turkish goverment official not recognizing Armenian Killings as GENOCIDE.
Forget all those genocyde resolutions. How about reviving the resolution before congress at the time when America was given the “Armenia mandate” by the League of Nations. Western Armenia has been lying dormant in Uncle Sam’s Watch pocket for about 90 years. Wilsonian Armenia or Western Armenia is a reality hibernating in the US Congress. Wake that bear up!
American promises did no good for Armenia as Wilsonian map of Western Armenia just in paper , turks has all. You think future America cares about Armenian, if Armenia has money or oil , then things will be different.
On the other hand, Trump may urge Congress not to impose sanctions on Turkey over the Russian missile deal. This after a private meeting last week between Trump and Turkish Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, who by the way is also the son-in-law of Erdogan. Turkey beats up US citizens, on US soil, in the US capital, exercising their US constitutional rights and no one lifts a finger. Now they’re playing both the US and Russia against each over. They know very well that they can do no wrong in the eyes of world powers. If one abandons them another will step in to take its place. Turkey is like a spoiled child, they know they’ll get away with anything as long as they play cute.
How about let’s start with a list of all the U.S. officials who have and continue to play lap dog to the Turkish suyltanate, begining with the State Dept.?
Turkey can run, but it can’t hide.
That day will come when the Turks themselves will have to bow down at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Yerevan,
& across the world.
That time is soon , just wait turkey comes to russian lap….