Hoyer Statement on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

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House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today in recognition of Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day:

"Today, we remember the 1.5 million people killed during the Armenian Genocide. The twentieth century's first genocide, the systematic campaign of ethnic cleansing against Armenians became a model for evil in the decades that followed. For too long, our country did not fully recognize these killings as the genocide they were, and I commend President Biden for making sure that our country did so last year. I've been honored to join colleagues on both sides of the aisle in Congress for many years to recognize and commemorate the Armenian Genocide with the full solemnity it deserves.

"The past is not prologue, but we do ourselves a disservice if we fail to heed its lessons. As the world watches in horror at the murder of innocents and campaign of terror being waged against the people of Ukraine, particularly the atrocities uncovered in Bucha and other places, we would be wise to reflect on the kind of actions that led to the Armenian Genocide and other campaigns of ethnic cleansing so as to ensure that such evils are not repeated. Humanity must have zero tolerance for the kind of hatred that would see such evils perpetrated or for the kind of ignorance that allows them to occur. This year, as we stand in solidarity with Armenians and with Armenian-Americans to commemorate the Armenian Genocide, let us recommit ourselves to the work of ensuring that genocides remain in the past and not in our present or future."

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