Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL) introduced legislation, Thursday, April 3, calling upon the United States President to work toward an Armenian-Turkish relationship based on Turkey’s truthful acknowledgment of the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA.)

Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) have already joined in as original cosponsors of the human rights measure.

“The ANCA thanks Senators Menendez and Kirk for spearheading this forward-looking Armenian Genocide measure, calling on America to help forge an equitable and constructive Armenian-Turkish relationship based upon Turkey’s acknowledgement of this still unpunished crime,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “On the eve of the centennial of the Armenian Genocide, we look forward to supporting the efforts of our Senate friends to pass this vital genocide prevention measure.”

In a statement issued upon introduction, Chairman Menendez noted, “The Armenian Genocide is a horrifying factual reality that can never be denied. This resolution reaffirms in the strongest terms that we will always remember this tragedy and honor the memory of innocent Armenian men, women and children who were killed and expelled from their homeland. The Armenian Genocide must be taught, recognized, and commemorated to prevent the re-occurrence of similar atrocities from ever happening again.”

Senator Kirk concurred noting, “Next year will mark the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, during which 1.5 million Armenians were killed by Ottoman Turkey. There are only a few brave survivors left, such as 107-year-old Helen Paloian of Chicago, who lost her parents and two brothers. To honor the survivors and the memory of those lost, and to lead globally on human rights, the United States should finally join the European Union and 11 of our NATO allies in officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide.” The resolution specifically expresses the sense of the Senate:

- to remember and observe the anniversary of the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 2014.

- that the President should work toward an equitable, constructive, stable, and durable Armenian-Turkish relationship that includes the full acknowledgment by the Government of the Republic of Turkey of the facts about the Armenian Genocide; and

- that the President should ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide.

A parallel resolution (H.Res.227) introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives spearheaded by Congressmen David Valadao (R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), and Congressional Armenian Caucus Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Michael Grimm (R-NY) has over 50 cosponsors.