WASHINGTON, DC – Former Vice President Joe Biden and current front-runner in the 2020 Democratic Presidential Primary called on the U.S. to “once and for all” reaffirm its policy on the Armenian Genocide, sharing his support for U.S. Senate and House legislation (S.Res.150 and H.Res.296) which permanently locks in official recognition, rejects Turkey’s denial and encourages public education regarding this crime, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In a statement posted to his Facebook and Twitter accounts, Biden marked the 28th anniversary of Armenian independence and went on to note that “history is not complete unless we recognize, once and for all, the Metz Yeghern — the Armenian Genocide.”H e offered his support for pending Armenian Genocide legislation, noting “it’s past time for the United States to support this important legislation.” Biden has over 1.4 million followers on Facebook and 3.7 million followers on Twitter.
“Joe Biden sent a clear message to House Speaker Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader McConnell to green-light votes on the Armenian Genocide Resolution – H.Res.296 and S.Res.150 – in their respective chambers of Congress,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “How these two leaders – from opposing parties – advance or obstruct these resolutions will speak volumes about the respect they – and their respective parties – hold for Armenian American views, values, and votes.”
Earlier this week, on September 16th, in a letter to the ANCA, Biden noted “We must never forget or remain silent about this horrific and systematic campaign of extermination that resulted in the deaths of 1.5 million Armenian men, women, and children and the mass deportation of 2 million Armenians from their homes.”
Hamparian, in responses to an interview with Voice of America regarding Biden’s letter, stressed the importance of having Armenian American concerns – U.S. Armenia relations, Artsakh security and freedom, a principled U.S. policy on the Armenian Genocide – part of the presidential election political discourse, and the vital role Armenian American voters will play in California and traditionally swing states of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Florida and other key states in the 2020 elections.
While candidate pledges are meaningful, said Hamparian, “far more important are the actual deliverables that candidates can provide for our community; the concrete steps – before election day – not the promises of what they will do after election day.” Hamparian offered concrete examples, including support for passage of Armenian Genocide legislation. “If candidates can help pass H.Res.296 in the U.S. House and S.Res.150 in the U.S. Senate – if they can lean on the leaders in the House and Senate to get those resolutions passed, if they can make a sincere and sustained effort to accomplish these policy priorities for the Armenian Community – I think voters on election day will respect that type of commitment,” concluded Hamparian.
VOA coverage of the ANCA’s views on Biden’s letter (in Armenian) is available at:
https://www.amerikayidzayn.
Click here for the full text of former Vice President Biden’s letter to the ANCA and a detailed review of his lengthy record on the Armenian Genocide, both as a U.S. Senator and as Vice President during the Obama-Biden Administration.
U.S. Senate and House Armenian Genocide legislation (S.Res.150 and H.Res.296) aim at 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. Over 100 U.S. Representatives have cosponsored H.Res. 296, which was spearheaded by Representatives Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL). The Senate version, led by Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Ted Cruz (R-TX), currently has 18 cosponsors. The ANCA supports immediate consideration and passage of both measures.
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Text of Statement by Vice President Joe Biden on Armenian National Day
28 years ago, the people of Armenia took their future into their own hands and reestablished their independence from the Soviet Union. Today is a day to celebrate Armenia’s democratic progress and to honor Armenia’s history. That history is not complete unless we recognize, once and for all, the Metz Yeghern — the Armenian Genocide. From 1915 to 1923, almost 2 million Armenians were deported en masse, and 1.5 million men, women, and children were killed. We must never forget or remain silent about this horrific and systematic campaign of extermination.
It is particularly important to speak these words and commemorate this history at a moment when we are reminded daily of the power of words to wound and our shared responsibility to speak out against hate — because silence is complicity. If we do not fully acknowledge, commemorate, and teach our children about genocide, the words “never again” lose their meaning. The facts must be as clear and as powerful for future generations as for those whose memories are seared by tragedy. Failing to remember or acknowledge the fact of a genocide only paves the way for future mass atrocities.
I stand with the people of Armenia and the Armenian-American community, which has contributed so much to our nation, in remembering the victims of the Armenian Genocide. During my years in the Senate, I was proud to lead the charge on Genocide recognition efforts, and I am proud today to support the resolutions now before the House and Senate to officially recognize and establish an ongoing U.S. commemoration of the Armenian Genocide. It’s past time for the United States to support this important legislation.
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Where the hell was he on this matter during his 8 years as VP and all the years he spent in the senate before that? I’ll believe him when he delivers before next April 24.
I still remember Armenian press touting for Obama, who became one of the worst presidents and obfuscated the genocide by calling it meds yeghern and set the standard for future leaders. Just like the twisted wording from ADL’s Foxman who said it is tantamount to genocide. Do these people think we are stupid??
I still remember Armenian press touting for Hillary, who turned out to be a dangerous enemy to Armenians (and the world really) thanks to wikileaks. Mr. Assange did more for Armenian genocide recognition than any of these people. Read his tweet from Apr 24, 2017.
We have a president now who can care less about Armenians (and Americans in fact), cut the aid to Armenia and Artsakh, and won’t risk his business with Turkey and Azerbaijan — is his ugly Trump tower in Baku still unfinished?
I wonder who the Armenian press will tout in 2020? One thing for sure is I’m not listening anymore! Sadly US politicians don’t care and as long as $$$, Turkey and Israel are involved, we will get nowhere. Our efforts should be to diminish the influence of the trio. For Armenian issues, the Democrats, Republicans, are all the same. Other conservsatives like Libertarians even worse.
Funny. Come vote times, candidates warm up our feelings with their fake lies and phony hocus pocus filled promises.
I respect Mr. Hamparian, but it was a real missed opportunity for him not to criticize and call out Biden by name in his statement. Biden not only failed to recognize the genocide for eight years, he and Obama bullied Armenia to give in to Turkish demands of a “bilateral commission,” specifically so that Obama could cite the “commission” as an excuse not to recognize the genocide as promised. This is all laid out in painstaking and horrifying detail in David Phillips’ book, “Diplomatic History.” See here: http://www.humanrightscolumbia.org/sites/default/files/pbhr_diplomatic_history.pdf Page 47: “According to an anonymous Armenian official involved in the negotiations, “Washington wanted us to announce the agreement before Genocide day so President Obama wouldn’t have to mention genocide in his statement.””
I worry that sometimes it looks like Armenians lack all self-respect when we (or at least, the representatives of certain Armenian groups) go scurrying like hungry dogs to every politician who throws us crumbs while running for office. ANCA should have told Biden, “Thanks but no thanks; you had your chances.”
Really …. are you kidding his last eight years.
Oh , I know he was only Vice President and Samantha Powers
was only UN amb.
I am surprised the ANCA is so quick to relish this.
Same old insult and “we” seem pleased…nothing worth responding to.
When will we learn.