In the early 20th century, more than a million Armenians were systematically killed by the Ottoman Empire and an additional 500,000 were displaced during territorial disputes. It’s important that we fully recognize the inhumanity of this atrocity and discredit the words of Adolf Hitler the night before his invasion of Poland in 1939 when he said, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?”

That’s why I co-sponsored House Resolution 106, the Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution. This legislation would clarify the U.S. position and officially recognize the tragic deaths of Armenians from 1915 to 1923 as genocide.

While the United States cannot control what goes on in other countries, we should use our influence as the greatest country in the world to promote the fundamental liberties of all people.  Our economic power gives us the ability to wield great influence with other nations, and we should use this power for good. I will continue to work with my colleagues to honor the lives of family and friends lost during the Armenian Genocide.