In 1915, the government of the Ottoman Empire launched the first genocide of the 20th century – the Armenian Genocide. By the time the atrocities ended in 1923, 1.5 million men, women, and children had been killed. Since then, despite overwhelming historical evidence, the Ottoman Empire’s successor – Turkey – has maintained a decades-long policy of refusing to accept responsibility for the acts of its predecessor government, and actively obstructing any attempt by the American government or other nations to recognize what happened to the Armenian people for what it was: genocide. Turkey’s continued denial of the Armenian Genocide exacerbates underlying tensions in that region, and undermines foundations for durable peace and security.

For the 100th anniversary of this horrific event, I joined with colleagues from both parties to introduce H. Res. 154, which called on the President of the United States to work toward the Republic of Turkey’s full acknowledgement of the facts and consequences of the Armenian Genocide, and a fair, just, and comprehensive international resolution of this crime against humanity. 42 states and 11 of our NATO allies have already stood together in recognizing the Armenian genocide and standing against genocide denial. This bipartisan resolution would ensure that the U.S. government stands with them and with the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

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