Armenian genocide resolution introduced in the Senate

Sens. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) and John Ensign (R-Nev.) on Wednesday introduced a resolution that calls for the U.S. government to recognize the Armenian genocide.

The measure calls on President Obama to "ensure that the foreign policy of the United States reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide."

The U.S. government does not recognize the mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire in the 1910s and 1920s as a genocide. Turkey denies that the massacres ever occurred despite evidence to the contrary. 

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) commended the senators for introducing the measure.

"On behalf of all Armenian Americans, we thank Sens. Menendez and Ensign for ... moving America toward a full and proper commemoration and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "This legislation, in seeking to end U.S. silence in the face of Turkey's denial of this crime ... very powerfully, helps make Armenia and all the world safer from future genocides."

The Senate resolution is similar to a House version introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), which has attracted over 130 cosponsors. 

The House Foreign Affairs Committee has not considered the resolution.

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