COSTA MESA, Calif.–Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA) and Loretta Sanchez (D-CA) Sunday attended Armenian Genocide commemoration events organized by the Armenian National Committee of Orange County.
Rep. Royce was the keynote speaker in this morning’s Second Annual Walk for Remembrance at St. Mary’s Armenian Apostolic Church, organized by the Armenian National Committee of Orange County. Before a crowd of two hundred, Rep. Royce spoke of the horrific events surrounding the killing of 1.5 million Armenia’s and the deportations of 1.5 million Armenia’s from their homeland.
"The US has long been a global leader in promoting human rights around the world," said Rep. Royce. "On the issue of the Armenian genocide, however, we lag behind. The French, Swiss, Swedish, Germans, and even the Russian governmen’s recognize the Armenian genocide. It is imperative for the US to stand on principle and follow suit."
"Congressman Royce is a great friend of the human rights community," stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. "His participation demonstrates his commitment to ending the cycle of genocide – and the community greatly appreciates his leadership in the House of Representatives," he added.
In addition to paying tribute to the atrocities of 1915-1923, Rep. Royce discussed how the world’s strength to oppose killings today is made greater by accountability. "It’s much harder to get tomorrow right if we get yesterday wrong," added Rep. Royce. The deafening silence that came in the wake of the Armenian genocide set the stage for a century that saw genocides occur in Europe, Africa, and Asia.
As a Member of Congress, Rep. Royce has worked with Rep. Radanovich and Rep. Rogan to pass through the first Armenian genocide resolution through the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Most recently, he worked with Rep. Adam Schiff to have H.Res.106 brought before the Committee of Foreign Affairs, in hopes of having it brought to a full House vote.
During a commemoration event following the Walk for Remembrance, Rep. Sanchez presented a declaration on her behalf to her constituents.
Sanchez is a co-sponsor of H. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution currently pending in Congress.
