South SFV Today

PALO ALTO, C.A. – On April 24, Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA-16), the only Armenian-Assyrian Member of Congress, introduced the Armenian Genocide Education Act, bipartisan legislation to promote accurate and effective education about the Armenian Genocide. She was joined by Reps. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), David Valadao (R-CA-22), and 38 other original cosponsors.

The Armenian Genocide Education Act establishes a new program in the Library of Congress tasked with developing resources, including digital resources, to foster understanding about why and how the Armenian Genocide happened. These resources will be incorporated into curricula at schools across the country. The bill authorizes $2 million annually for the program over five years and allows the Library of Congress to supplement this funding with private donations.

“By ensuring students have access to the resources necessary to understand why and how the Armenian Genocide occurred, the Armenian Genocide Education Act preserves the legacies of the victims, combats genocide denial, and ensures that future generations learn the lessons of this dark chapter of history,” said Rep. Eshoo. “This legislation honors the memories of my ancestors and all those who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.” 

“Our darkest moments as a human race have come during times when those who knew better stood silently, making excuses for passivity and allowing injustice and persecution to reign. We must acknowledge the atrocities of the past so that we might hopefully prevent them in the future,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “One of the best ways to achieve this goal is through education and awareness, which is why I am proud to co-lead the Armenian Genocide Education Act again in the 118th Congress.”

“The Armenian Genocide was one of the most horrific losses of human life in modern history,” said Rep. Lieu. “It resulted in the deaths of roughly 1.5 million Armenians, and even more were displaced and forced to start new lives from scratch. Remembering atrocities like the Armenian Genocide is crucial to ensuring they never happen again. A key part of that is education, which is why I’m proud to co-lead the Armenian Genocide Education Act with Representatives Anna Eshoo, Gus Bilirakis, and David Valadao. This bill honors the legacies of those who perished by helping to ensure future generations learn about, and never forget, the Armenian Genocide.”

“People who fail to understand history are bound to repeat it, and education is one of the best tools we have to prevent repeating some of our darkest days. The Armenian Genocide Education Act preserves the memories of the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, and ensures Americans have accurate information on why and how this horrific event happened,” said Rep. Valadao.

“Education is one of the best ways we can honor the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide and ensure it never happens again. This bill will help keep the memory of this horrific genocide alive by ensuring future generations have access to historically accurate resources. Expanding access to educational tools moves us one step closer to fulfilling our obligation to speak candidly about the past that is directly tied to our moral responsibilities of the present,” said Rep. Pallone, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.

“When we remain silent in the face of injustice, we dishonor the victims and make further tragedy inevitable. Through education, we can combat genocide denial and ensure that future generations learn the lessons of history. The Armenian Genocide claimed 1.5 million lives. It must never be forgotten. And it must never happen again. Not to the Armenians. Not to anyone,” said Rep. Schiff, Vice-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.

Between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million Armenians, and hundreds of thousands of Assyrians, Greeks, Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians were systematically slaughtered at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Rep. Eshoo has long fought for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, including advocating for the successful bipartisan effort in the House of Representatives to break 100 years of U.S. silence and recognize the Armenian Genocide.

“The ANCA thanks Reps. Eshoo, Bilirakis, Lieu, and Valadao, welcoming their introduction of this thoughtful and timely bill, brought forward in the wake of official U.S. recognition of the 1915 Genocide and amid renewed efforts by Azerbaijan and Turkey to complete this crime against the Armenian nation,” remarked ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “This federal legislation represents a necessary next step, building upon American remembrance, alerting Americans to the ongoing threat of genocide, and ensuring that future generations benefit from the terrible lessons of this still unpunished crime. We will do all we can to support this bill and look forward to this measure being passed by Congress and signed into law by the President,” added Hamparian.

Original source can be found here