Today in Fresno, we raise the Armenian flag remembering those lives that were lost, the murders and their families, as we do every April 24, recognizing the Armenian Genocide, the first Genocide in the 20th century. And the fact is that we should never ever forget.
Armenians in Fresno, throughout the valley, and throughout the country, and throughout the world understand the importance of April 24. In fact, we must hold those accountable. Turkey must at some point recognize responsibility of the Ottoman Empire and the Genocide that was perpetrated upon the Armenian people. As representative in the US House of Reps and the member of Congress, every year we recognize the genocide and finally the Congress officially passed the resolution recognizing the Genocide. I took great pride being the part of Armenian Caucus.
Last year at this time President Biden for the first time, the US officially recognized the Armenian Genocide. But yet much work needs to be done. We have provided financial support and aid for Armenia, funding for the demining of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), but much more needs to be done.
I will continue to do whatever I can to support the Armenian people to hold Azerbaijan accountable, to remind the world that whether such actions were carried out by the Ottoman Empire more than a hundred years ago or Azerbaijan in recent years, they must be held accountable.
And that’s why we remember today and this weekend the Armenian Genocide and we shall never ever forget. Thank you.
