October 29, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8559 Curtis Joyce (PA) Rogers (AL) Crow Kim Porter Luetkemeyer Rice (SC) Stewart Davidson (OH) Katko Rogers (KY) Cuellar Kind Pressley Marshall Riggleman Taylor Davis, Rodney Keller Rooney (FL) Cunningham Kirkpatrick Price (NC) Massie Roby Thompson (PA) DesJarlais Kelly (MS) Rose, John W. Davids (KS) Krishnamoorthi Quigley Mast Rodgers (WA) Thornberry Diaz-Balart Kelly (PA) Rouzer Davis (CA) Kuster (NH) Raskin McCarthy Roe, David P. Tipton Duncan King (IA) Roy Davis, Danny K. Lamb Rice (NY) McCaul Rogers (AL) Turner Dunn King (NY) Rutherford Dean Langevin Richmond McClintock Rogers (KY) Upton Emmer Kinzinger Scalise DeFazio Larsen (WA) Rose (NY) McHenry Rooney (FL) Wagner Estes Kustoff (TN) Schweikert McKinley Rose, John W. DeGette Larson (CT) Rouda Walberg Ferguson LaHood Scott, Austin DeLauro Lawrence Roybal-Allard Meadows Rouzer Walden Fitzpatrick LaMalfa Sensenbrenner DelBene Lawson (FL) Ruiz Meuser Roy Walker Fleischmann Lamborn Shimkus Delgado Lee (CA) Ruppersberger Mitchell Rutherford Walorski Flores Latta Simpson Demings Lee (NV) Rush Moolenaar Scalise Fortenberry Lesko Smith (MO) DeSaulnier Levin (CA) Sa´ nchez Mooney (WV) Schweikert Waltz Foxx (NC) Long Smith (NE) Deutch Levin (MI) Sarbanes Mullin Scott, Austin Watkins Fulcher Loudermilk Smith (NJ) Dingell Lewis Schakowsky Murphy (NC) Sensenbrenner Weber (TX) Gallagher Lucas Smucker Doggett Lieu, Ted Schiff Newhouse Shimkus Webster (FL) Gianforte Luetkemeyer Spano Doyle, Michael Lipinski Schneider Norman Simpson Wenstrup Gibbs Marshall Stauber F. Loebsack Schrader Nunes Smith (MO) Westerman Gohmert Massie Stefanik Engel Lofgren Schrier Olson Smith (NE) Wilson (SC) Gonzalez (OH) Mast Steil Escobar Lowenthal Scott (VA) Palazzo Smith (NJ) Wittman Gooden McCarthy Steube Eshoo Lowey Scott, David Palmer Smucker Womack Gosar McCaul Stewart Espaillat Luja´ n Serrano Pence Spano Woodall Granger McClintock Stivers Evans Luria Sewell (AL) Perry Stauber Yoho Graves (GA) McHenry Taylor Finkenauer Lynch Shalala Posey Stefanik Young Graves (LA) McKinley Thompson (PA) Fletcher Malinowski Sherman Reed Steil Zeldin Graves (MO) Meadows Thornberry Foster Maloney, Sherrill Reschenthaler Steube Green (TN) Meuser Tipton Fudge Carolyn B. Sires Griffith Miller Torres Small Gallego Maloney, Sean Slotkin NOT VOTING—23 Grothman Mitchell (NM) Garamendi Matsui Smith (WA) Bass Hill (CA) Scanlon Guest Moolenaar Turner Garcı´a (IL) McAdams Soto Beatty Huffman Stivers Guthrie Mooney (WV) Upton Garcia (TX) McBath Spanberger Burgess Jordan Thompson (CA) Hagedorn Mullin Wagner Golden McCollum Speier Carter (TX) Marchant Timmons Harris Murphy (NC) Walberg Gomez McGovern Stanton Cartwright McEachin Wasserman Hartzler Newhouse Walden Gonzalez (TX) McNerney Stevens Frankel Miller Schultz Hern, Kevin Norman Walker Gottheimer Meeks Suozzi Gabbard Ratcliffe Williams Herrera Beutler Nunes Walorski Green, Al (TX) Meng Swalwell (CA) Hice (GA) Ryan Wright Higgins (LA) Olson Waltz Grijalva Moore Takano Hill (AR) Palazzo Watkins Haaland Morelle Thompson (MS) b 1416 Holding Palmer Weber (TX) Harder (CA) Moulton Titus Hollingsworth Pence Webster (FL) Hastings Mucarsel-Powell Tlaib So the resolution was agreed to. Horn, Kendra S. Perry Wenstrup Hayes Murphy (FL) Tonko The result of the vote was announced Hudson Posey Westerman Heck Nadler Torres (CA) Huizenga Reed Wilson (SC) Higgins (NY) Napolitano Torres Small as above recorded. Hunter Reschenthaler Wittman Himes Neal (NM) A motion to reconsider was laid on Hurd (TX) Rice (SC) Womack Horn, Kendra S. Neguse Trahan the table. Johnson (LA) Riggleman Woodall Horsford Norcross Trone Johnson (OH) Roby Yoho Houlahan O’Halleran Underwood f Johnson (SD) Rodgers (WA) Young Hoyer Ocasio-Cortez Van Drew Joyce (OH) Roe, David P. Zeldin Jackson Lee Omar Vargas COMMUNICATION FROM THE Jayapal Pallone Veasey NOT VOTING—18 Jeffries Panetta Vela CLERK OF THE HOUSE Bass Hill (CA) Ratcliffe Johnson (GA) Pappas Vela´ zquez The SPEAKER pro tempore laid be- Beatty Huffman Ryan Johnson (TX) Pascrell Visclosky Carter (TX) Jordan Thompson (CA) Kaptur Payne Waters fore the House the following commu- Cartwright Marchant Timmons Keating Perlmutter Watson Coleman nication from the Clerk of the House of Gabbard McEachin Williams Kelly (IL) Peters Welch Representatives: Hice (GA) Moulton Wright Kennedy Peterson Wexton Khanna Phillips Wild OFFICE OF THE CLERK, b 1409 Kildee Pingree Wilson (FL) HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Kilmer Pocan Yarmuth Washington, DC, October 29, 2019. So the previous question was ordered. Hon. NANCY PELOSI, The result of the vote was announced NAYS—187 The Speaker, House of Representatives, as above recorded. Abraham Comer Guest Washington, DC. The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Aderholt Conaway Guthrie DEAR MADAM SPEAKER: Pursuant to the CUELLAR). The question is on the reso- Allen Cook Hagedorn permission granted in Clause 2(h) of Rule II Amash Crawford Harris of the Rules of the U.S. House of Representa- lution. Amodei Crenshaw Hartzler The question was taken; and the tives, the Clerk received the following mes- Armstrong Curtis Hern, Kevin sage from the Secretary of the Senate on Oc- Speaker pro tempore announced that Arrington Davidson (OH) Herrera Beutler tober 29, 2019, at 10:58 a.m.: the ayes appeared to have it. Babin Davis, Rodney Higgins (LA) Bacon DesJarlais Hill (AR) That the Senate passed S. 134. Mrs. LESKO. Mr. Speaker, on that I Baird Diaz-Balart Holding With best wishes, I am, demand the yeas and nays. Balderson Duncan Hollingsworth Sincerely, The yeas and nays were ordered. Banks Dunn Hudson CHERYL L. JOHNSON. The SPEAKER pro tempore. This is a Barr Emmer Huizenga Bergman Estes Hunter f 5-minute vote. Biggs Ferguson Hurd (TX) The vote was taken by electronic de- Bilirakis Fitzpatrick Johnson (LA) AFFIRMING THE UNITED STATES vice, and there were—yeas 221, nays Bishop (NC) Fleischmann Johnson (OH) Bishop (UT) Flores Johnson (SD) RECORD ON THE ARMENIAN 187, not voting 23, as follows: Bost Fortenberry Joyce (OH) GENOCIDE [Roll No. 590] Brady Foxx (NC) Joyce (PA) Brooks (AL) Fulcher Katko Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, pursuant YEAS—221 Brooks (IN) Gaetz Keller to House Resolution 655, I call up the Adams Brown (MD) Clark (MA) Buchanan Gallagher Kelly (MS) resolution (H. Res. 296) affirming the Aguilar Brownley (CA) Clarke (NY) Buck Gianforte Kelly (PA) United States record on the Armenian Allred Bustos Clay Bucshon Gibbs King (IA) Axne Butterfield Cleaver Budd Gohmert King (NY) Genocide and ask for its immediate Barraga´ n Carbajal Clyburn Burchett Gonzalez (OH) Kinzinger consideration in the House. Bera Ca´ rdenas Cohen Byrne Gooden Kustoff (TN) The Clerk read the title of the resolu- Beyer Carson (IN) Connolly Calvert Gosar LaHood Bishop (GA) Case Cooper Carter (GA) Granger LaMalfa tion. Blumenauer Casten (IL) Correa Chabot Graves (GA) Lamborn The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- Blunt Rochester Castor (FL) Costa Cheney Graves (LA) Latta ant to House Resolution 655, the resolu- Bonamici Castro (TX) Courtney Cline Graves (MO) Lesko tion is considered read. Boyle, Brendan Chu, Judy Cox (CA) Cloud Green (TN) Long F. Cicilline Craig Cole Griffith Loudermilk The text of the resolution is as fol- Brindisi Cisneros Crist Collins (GA) Grothman Lucas lows:

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29OC7.008 H29OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H8560 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 29, 2019 H. RES. 296 The gentleman from New York (Mr. Mr. Speaker, in the year 2000, and Whereas the United States has a proud his- ENGEL) and the gentleman from New again in the year 2015, I chaired two tory of recognizing and condemning the Ar- Jersey (Mr. SMITH) each will control 30 congressional hearings on the Arme- menian Genocide, the killing of 1.5 million minutes. nian genocide. In 2000, the House was Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 The Chair recognizes the gentleman moving to pass a bipartisan resolution to 1923, and providing relief to the survivors from New York. of the campaign of genocide against Arme- by Congressmen Radanovich and nians, Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, GENERAL LEAVE Bonior, H. Res. 398. Syriacs, Arameans, Maronites, and other Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I ask unan- After hearing fact-based, eloquent Christians; imous consent that all Members may testimony from Congressmen James Whereas the Honorable Henry Morgenthau, have 5 legislative days in which to re- Rogan and David Bonior, followed by United States Ambassador to the Ottoman vise and extend their remarks and to the State Department, history profes- Empire from 1913 to 1916, organized and led insert extraneous material on H. Res. sors, and then witnesses from both the protests by officials of many countries 296. Armenian and the Turkish side, my against what he described as the empire’s The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there ‘‘campaign of race extermination’’, and was subcommittee successfully marked up instructed on July 16, 1915, by United States objection to the request of the gen- H. Res. 398 for consideration by the full Secretary of State Robert Lansing that the tleman from New York? committee. ‘‘Department approves your procedure . . . There was no objection. Ambassador Marc Grossman, how- to stop Armenian persecution’’; Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- ever, testified at the hearing that Whereas President Woodrow Wilson en- self such time as I may consume. President Bill Clinton was against the couraged the formation of the Near East Re- Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us Armenian genocide resolution. That lief, chartered by an Act of Congress, which is an important measure to set the opposition proved to be very signifi- raised $116,000,000 (over $2,500,000,000 in 2019 record straight on the atrocities suf- dollars) between 1915 and 1930, and the Sen- cant, and as we were moving with the fered by the Armenian people at the highest expectations toward passage, ate adopted resolutions condemning these hands the Ottoman Empire in the early massacres; President Clinton’s National Security 20th century. Whereas Raphael Lemkin, who coined the Advisor, Sandy Berger, took the ex- We know what happened in this dark term ‘‘genocide’’ in 1944, and who was the traordinary step of admonishing period of history. Between 1915 and earliest proponent of the United Nations Speaker Hastert not to bring it to the 1923, 1.5 million Armenians were mur- Convention on the Prevention and Punish- floor. And he caved. The resolution ment of Genocide, invoked the Armenian dered. This was a genocide, and it is never even got a vote. case as a definitive example of genocide in important that we call this crime what In 2007, Chairman Tom Lantos, like the 20th century; it was. Whereas, as displayed in the United States Many American politicians, dip- Chairman Henry Hyde before him, re- Holocaust Memorial Museum, Adolf Hitler, lomats, and institutions have rightly ported the resolution out of com- on ordering his military commanders to at- mittee, sponsored by Congressmen tack Poland without provocation in 1939, dis- recognized these atrocities as a geno- cide, including America’s Ambassador SCHIFF and Radanovich; although it missed objections by saying ‘‘[w]ho, after all, never got out of the committee in 2000, speaks today of the annihilation of the Ar- to the Ottoman Empire at the time, but he wanted it to. That was H. Res. menians?’’, setting the stage for the Holo- Henry Morgenthau, and later, Presi- caust; dent Ronald Reagan. 106. That too never made to the floor. Whereas the United States has officially It is time that we set the record Mr. Speaker, that changes today. The recognized the Armenian Genocide, through straight. Only by shining a light on the Affirming the United States RECORD on the United States Government’s May 28, 1951, darkest parts of our history can we the Armenian Genocide, H. Res. 296, is written statement to the International learn to not repeat them. And properly a sense of Congress resolution that Court of Justice regarding the Convention on commemorates the Armenian genocide the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime acknowledging what has occurred is a necessary step in achieving some meas- through official recognition and re- of Genocide, through President Ronald Rea- membrance. gan’s Proclamation No. 4838 on April 22, 1981, ure of justice for the victims. and by House Joint Resolution 148, adopted H. Res. 296 sticks to the historical The resolution wisely notes that the on April 8, 1975, and House Joint Resolution facts. It is a good, commonsense meas- United States has officially recognized 247, adopted on September 10, 1984; and ure with broad bipartisan support. the Armenian genocide through the Whereas the Elie Wiesel Genocide and I want to thank Mr. SCHIFF, the reso- U.S. Government’s May 1951 written Atrocities Prevention Act of 2018 (Public lution’s author, as well as Ms. ESHOO, statement to the International Court Law 115–441) establishes that atrocities pre- Ms. SPEIER, Ms. SHALALA, Mr. MCGOV- of Justice regarding the Convention on vention represents a United States national ERN, Mr. PALLONE, Mr. BILIRAKIS, Mr. the Prevention and Punishment of the interest, and affirms that it is the policy of Crime of Genocide through President the United States to pursue a United States SMITH, and the many other bipartisan Government-wide strategy to identify, pre- champions of this issue for their per- Ronald Reagan’s proclamation, Num- vent, and respond to the risk of atrocities by sistent, steadfast pursuit of recogni- ber 4838, on April 22, 1981, and by H.J. ‘‘strengthening diplomatic response and the tion for the suffering the Armenian Res. 148, adopted in 1975, and H.J. Res. effective use of foreign assistance to support people endured. 247, adopted in September of 1984. appropriate transitional justice measures, I strongly support this measure, and The resolution also points out that including criminal accountability, for past I urge all my colleagues to do the the U.S. played a major role in the hu- atrocities’’: Now, therefore, be it same. With its passage, we put Con- manitarian relief efforts and, of course, Resolved, That it is the sense of the House the Near East Relief agency saved tens of Representatives that it is the policy of the gress on the right side of history, prop- United States to— erly acknowledging and condemning of thousands of Armenians and others. (1) commemorate the Armenian Genocide this horrific genocide. As a matter of fact, the historian, How- through official recognition and remem- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of ard Sachar, noted it ‘‘quite literally brance; my time. kept an entire nation alive,’’ and that (2) reject efforts to enlist, engage, or other- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. is reflected in the resolution. wise associate the United States Govern- Speaker, I yield myself such time as I Yet, today, the Armenian genocide is ment with denial of the Armenian Genocide may consume. the only genocide of the 20th century or any other genocide; and Mr. Speaker, when the term ‘‘geno- where survivors, family, and all those (3) encourage education and public under- standing of the facts of the Armenian Geno- cide’’ was created in 1944 to describe who care about this important issue, cide, including the United States role in the the systematic destruction of an entire have been subjected to the ongoing humanitarian relief effort, and the relevance people. Its author, Raphael Lemkin, outrage of a massive, well-funded, ag- of the Armenian Genocide to modern-day explained the term by saying: ‘‘It’s the gressive campaign of genocide denial, crimes against humanity. sort of thing Hitler did to the Jews and openly sustained and lavishly funded The SPEAKER pro tempore. The res- the Turks did to the Armenians.’’ by the State authority, in this case, olution shall be debatable for 1 hour, When he ordered the invasion of Po- the Government of Turkey. equally divided and controlled by the land in 1939, Adolf Hitler said: ‘‘Who, The Turkish Government under- chair and ranking minority member of after all, speaks today of the annihila- writes a disgraceful disinformation the Committee on Foreign Affairs. tion of the Armenians?’’ campaign to confuse the historical

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\A29OC7.011 H29OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE October 29, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8561 record. It often employs lobbyists in She was one of the lucky ones who This resolution, Mr. Speaker, recog- this town to carry that message for- survived. nizes the horrific and systematic ef- ward. Let me remind my colleagues that forts to commit genocide against the Mr. Speaker, my 2015 hearing marked the Genocide Convention of 1950, which Armenian people a century ago. There the 100th year since the beginning of the Turkish Government has ratified, can be no denial of the Armenian geno- the genocide; and I appropriately enti- makes clear—here is what the Geno- cide, which is evidenced by historical tled it: A Century of Denial: The Arme- cide Convention says, and the Arme- documentation and the emotional scars nian Genocide and the Ongoing Quest nian genocide fits this to a T. still borne by the descendants of its For Justice. The definition says this: ‘‘Genocide survivors. It was a campaign of ethnic As Pope Francis said at his Mass means any of the following acts com- cleansing committed by the Ottoman marking the 100th year of genocide: mitted with intent to destroy, in whole Empire during and after the First ‘‘Concealing or denying evil is like al- or in part, a national, ethnical, racial, World War, and it led to the deaths of lowing a wound to keep bleeding with- or religious group, as such: 1.5 million Armenians alongside other out bandaging it.’’ Killing members of the group; targeted groups. Mr. Speaker, the facts of the geno- Causing serious bodily or mental Mr. Speaker, Mr. SMITH referenced cide were reported throughout the harm to members of that group; Ambassador Morgenthau, who was our world as they were happening, corrobo- Deliberately inflicting on the group Ambassador at this period of time. He rated immediately afterward by sur- conditions of life calculated to bring said this: ‘‘When the Turkish authori- vivors and even some of the perpetra- about its physical destruction in whole ties gave the orders for these deporta- tors, and have been amply documented or in part. . . . ‘’ tions, they were merely giving the by the historians, and in one particular b 1430 death warrant to a whole race; they un- book that I have read, by Ambassador derstood this well, and in their con- Morgenthau, who was our U.S. Ambas- In the case of the Armenians, it versations with me, they made no par- sador contemporaneously, at the time, wasn’t in part. It was in whole. They ticular attempt to conceal the fact.’’ to the Ottoman Empire. wanted the Armenians eviscerated He went on to say: ‘‘I am confident In 1915, as we know, there were about from the face of the Earth. that the whole history of the human 2 million Armenians living in what was Let me just point out to my col- race contains no such horrible episode then the Ottoman Empire, now Tur- leagues, despite Turkish Government as this.’’ Of course, we were, tragically, key. They were living in the region threats—and they do make threats. At to see an even greater Holocaust, in that they had inhabited for 2,500 years my hearing, the Ambassador made terms of numbers of lives lost, just or more. threats in the year 2000. Frank remem- some 30 years later. By 1923, however, over 90 percent of bers that. It was outrageous. In addition, Mr. Speaker, the British these Armenians had disappeared. Most Well, 28 countries and 49 U.S. States, Ambassador to the United States, in an of them, an estimated 1.5 million, were including my own State of New Jersey, October 1915 speech, said this: ‘‘The slaughtered. Most of them were death- have passed a law, resolution, or dec- massacres are the result of a policy marched into the desert, or shot, and laration recognizing the Armenian which, as far as can be ascertained, has many of the women were raped. The re- genocide. been entertained for some considerable mainder, the remnant was forced into I ask Members to support this resolu- time’’—I want to read this language— exile. tion. It is bipartisan, and it needs to be ‘‘considered for some considerable time U.S. Ambassador Morgenthau wrote: done. by the gang of unscrupulous adven- ‘‘When the Turkish authorities gave Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of turers who are now in possession of the the orders for these deportations, they my time. Government of the Turkish Empire. were merely giving the death warrant Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 They hesitated to put it in practice to a whole race; they understood this minute to the gentleman from Mary- until they thought the favorable mo- well, and, in their conversations with land (Mr. HOYER), the majority leader. ment had come, and that moment me, they made no particular attempt (Mr. HOYER asked and was given seems to have arrived about the month to conceal the fact.’’ permission to revise and extend his re- of April.’’ The Encyclopedia for the Armenian marks.) The reason I bring that up is this res- Genocide states: ‘‘During the march, Mr. HOYER. Mr. Speaker, I thank olution is not anti the present Turkish many Armenians were killed indis- the gentleman from New York (Mr. Government. The sanctions bill will criminately by Ottoman forces, which ENGEL), the chairman of the com- stand for that. This is about something left a trail of corpses along the route of mittee, for yielding. I thank Mr. SMITH that happened historically, that if not the march. To break the will of the for his career-long advocacy of human recognized may well happen again. marchers, the killings were performed rights and protecting the most vulner- When you say, ‘‘Never again,’’ you with swords, resulting in great blood- able, not only in this country but must recognize what the ‘‘never again’’ shed.’’ And as they continued the throughout the world. is. march, they were marched into the Mr. SMITH and I had the opportunity I have talked to Turkish Ambas- Syrian desert where they died from to travel behind the Iron Curtain when sadors and others for over a quarter of starvation. it existed, talking about human rights, a century as a Member of the Congress At the Center for Holocaust, Human talking about the right to immigrate, of the United States and said to them Rights & Genocide Education exhibit the right to worship, the right to free- this is not about your government; this at Brookdale Community College, dom of speech. We talked about the is about, as the British Ambassador which my good friend and colleague Helsinki Final Act. He and I were both says, a gang of thugs who took over from New Jersey, Mr. PALLONE, knows members of the Helsinki Commission your government over 100 years ago. so well as well, they have many re- for a couple of decades together. He I regret that our Turkish friends membrances of people in our State and and I visited Turkey together, talking have not recognized this as our German elsewhere who were survivors. about particularly the freedom of the friends have recognized their genocide Well, one of those survivors put it press and how many members and how and said this was wrong because if they this way, and I quote her: ‘‘Life was a many journalists were imprisoned. tell their people this is wrong, it is matter of trying to survive. Every Mr. SMITH, Mr. ENGEL, and I, and cer- more likely that it will not be re- morning a cart would come around and tainly Mr. SCHIFF, and so many others peated. take away the sick and the dead to be have been supporters of this resolution Mr. Speaker, as the House joins in dumped into a common grave. They for a very long time. It has not come to condemnation of that genocide and me- had taken my brother because he was a the floor. One of my duties as the ma- morializes its victims, let us also keep little sick. My crying and weeping were jority leader is to bring bills to the our attention focused on populations of no avail, especially because I was floor, and I am proud, along with the today that are being subjected to eth- sick and petrified of being put on the chairman and the ranking member, to nic cleansing and forced relocation. cart.’’ bring this bill to the floor. From the Rohingya to the Uighurs,

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29OC7.043 H29OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H8562 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 29, 2019 from the people in Darfur to the Kurd- resentatives refused to be enlisted in What we can do, what we must do, ish population being forced from their the cause of genocide denial. Mr. Speaker, is state the facts. We can homes in Syria as we speak, we must This April would have marked the say that the Ottoman Empire com- declare, loudly and clearly: Never 104th anniversary of the Armenian mitted this grotesque crime against again. Never again. Sadly, ‘‘never’’ is genocide, the systematic murder of 1.5 the Armenians, but their campaign of now. million Armenians, and the displace- extermination failed, and that, above In particular, our Kurdish allies, who ment of millions more by the Ottoman all, we will never forget and will never fought so courageously to help us de- Empire from 1915 to 1923. Many other again be silenced. feat ISIS, are being forced to leave religious and ethnic minorities in the I am grateful for the leadership of their homes by Turkey’s campaign to Ottoman Empire met similar fates, Mr. ENGEL, Mr. MCCAUL, the gentleman seize control of northern Syria. Let to- among them the Greeks, Assyrians, from Florida (Mr. BILIRAKIS), and the day’s action in this House be a re- Chaldeans, and others. gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. minder, Mr. Speaker, to President More than a century later, it is our SMITH), and so many Members on both Erdogan and his government: The solemn responsibility to remember sides of the aisle who have fought for United States is watching. The Amer- those who were lost, to seek justice recognition for decades. I urge every ican people will not turn our eyes and restitution, and to educate Ameri- Member of the House to join today in away. Neither will we turn our eyes cans and those around the world about supporting H. Res. 296. away from the millions of others in the crime of genocide. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Syria who have been displaced and the The facts of the genocide are horrific Speaker, I reserve the balance of my hundreds of thousands who have been and undisputed by historians. They time. killed, who have been bombed, gassed, were recorded by American diplomats Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 and brutalized by the Assad regime and serving in the Ottoman Empire at the minutes to the gentlewoman from Cali- time who bore witness in official cables its enablers. fornia (Ms. ESHOO), an important lead- That is why it is important to recog- to the annihilation of the Armenian er on these issues for many years. population in the Ottoman Empire, a nize the genocide perpetrated against b 1445 the Armenian people so that we will crime that at the time had no name. Though it lacked a name, there was recognize other such actions, which be- Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, first I no doubt in the observers of the time cause of their race or their color or would like to pay tribute to the chair- that they were witnessing a crime on a their ethnicity or some other distinc- man of the Foreign Affairs Committee, massive and industrial scale. The U.S. Mr. ENGEL, for helping to bring this to tion subject them to mass murder. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire, Mr. Speaker, we need to let the the floor; to everyone that is part of, Henry Morgenthau, would recall later: American people’s Representatives from both sides of the aisle, the Arme- ‘‘I am confident that the whole history give a clear message to our Armenian nian caucus in the House; and to my of the human race contains no such sister, friend, Congresswoman JACKIE brothers and sisters, to our Kurdish horrible episode as this. The great mas- brothers and sisters: We see you. We SPEIER, who shares this heritage with sacres and persecutions of the past me. will not abandon you. Never again. seem almost insignificant when com- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support pared with the sufferings of the Arme- Speaker, I yield myself 1 minute. of this resolution, H. Res. 296, which af- nian race in 1915.’’ firms the Armenian genocide. I thank my colleague and good It was only decades later that Raph- This is a historic day in the House of friend, Mr. HOYER, for his comments. ael Lemkin, a Holocaust survivor, Representatives, and it is one that I We did travel so many times to the So- coined the term ‘‘genocide’’ to describe have been waiting for for 27 years. viet Union, to the Eastern Bloc coun- the atrocities that have been visited Between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million Ar- tries, and to Turkey. We raised issues upon the Jews as well as the Arme- menians—and this is a historical fact methodically, persistently. But this nians. issue has always been one of those un- I have sat with survivors of the geno- that many people are not aware of, resolved, festering sores that if we cide, men and women, their numbers that there were hundreds of thousands could get it right—and this House dwindling year after year, and heard of Assyrians, Greeks, Arameans, going on record I think is the begin- them recall the destruction of their Maronites, and other Christians who ning of that process. So I thank him lives and the loss of all they had were systematically slaughtered by the for his leadership over these years, for known. As children, they were forced Ottoman Empire. his friendship, and, above all, for that from their homes and saw their fami- This is deeply personal for me. I am very eloquent statement. lies beaten, raped, and murdered. They the only Member of Congress of Arme- Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of fled across continents and oceans to nian Assyrian decent and one of only my time. build lives in this Nation, in Armenia, three of Armenian heritage in the Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 and around the world. House of Representatives—I think in minutes to the gentleman from Cali- For them and for their descendants, the entire Congress, Senate and House. fornia (Mr. SCHIFF), the author of this the word ‘‘genocide’’ is sacred because Some of you know that I had mem- important resolution, the vice chair of it means that the world has not and bers of my own family who were among the Congressional Armenian Caucus, will not forget. To deny genocide, on those that perished, and my parents and the chair of the Permanent Select the other hand, is profane. It is, in the fled with theirs to America. As my fa- Committee on Intelligence. words of Elie Wiesel, ‘‘a double kill- ther said: The best idea that was ever Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I thank ing.’’ born was America. the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Speaker, it is always the right What all of those who were per- Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support time to recognize genocide, but it is secuted have in common was that they of H. Res. 296, which I introduced along particularly so today. For when we see were Christians, and that is why they with Representative BILIRAKIS to rec- the images of terrified Kurdish families were hunted down and slaughtered. ognize and commemorate the Arme- in northern Syria, loading their posses- This resolution not only honors my nian genocide. sions into cars or carts and fleeing ancestors, but all of those who perished This is a vote that I have fought for their homes headed to nowhere except in the first genocide of the 20th cen- 19 years to cast. My wonderful col- from Turkish bombs and marauding tury. leagues, ANNA ESHOO and JACKIE militias, how can we truly say the The United States has been missing SPEIER, have fought far longer than I crimes of a century ago are in the past? in action on the honor roll of over two have. It is one that tens of thousands of We cannot. We cannot pick and dozen countries, 14 of which are NATO my constituents, my Armenian Amer- choose which crimes against humanity allies, and 49 States in our country ican constituents, have waited decades are convenient to speak about. We can- that have formally recognized the Ar- to see. It is a moment that so many not cloak our support of human rights menian genocide. Today, we can end have worked and struggled and prayed in euphemisms. We cannot be cowed over 100 years of silence by passing this for, a moment when the House of Rep- into silence by a foreign power. resolution.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00020 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29OC7.044 H29OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE October 29, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8563 Mr. Speaker, there is also a historic within and without the borders of Tur- specific ongoing atrocities. We must parallel as we are considering this reso- key. not stand silent as Turkey attempts lution, and that is that Turkey is pur- With our vote today, the United the ethnic cleansing of the Kurds in suing the ethnic cleansing of Kurds in States takes a long long overdue step Syria. Syria, as we meet today. to stop Turkey from hiding the truth Even Russia’s President Putin had As Pope Francis declared when he of its actions. The Armenian genocide said the Armenian people ‘‘went visited the Armenian genocide memo- must be acknowledged by all, and in through one of the greatest tragedies rial in Yerevan in 2016: ‘‘Memories doing so, we can hope to prevent the in human history.’’ should not be watered down or forgot- next genocide. Iran’s former Vice President stated: ten; memory is a source of peace and of Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. ‘‘The Ottoman Turkey Government the future.’’ Speaker, I reserve the balance of my perpetrated genocide in 1915.’’ So today we remember and we say to time. If our rivals can talk about this, if all those who perished: We remember. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 they can take a stand, certainly we We love you. minutes to the gentlewoman from Cali- can. Mr. Speaker, we set an example for fornia (Ms. SPEIER), co-chair of the Armenian genocide, we must say it the young people of our country that Congressional Caucus on Armenian here: It happened, and it will never the moral authority of the United Issues. happen again. We must make that com- States is well and alive as we pass this Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I thank mitment. resolution. Chairman ENGEL, Chairman MCCAUL, Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. and Mr. SMITH, and have a deep sense Speaker, I yield such time as he may Speaker, I yield myself 30 seconds. of gratitude to Congressman SCHIFF for consume to the gentleman from Flor- Mr. Speaker, first of all, I want to introducing H. Res. 296; and to my sis- ida (Mr. BILIRAKIS), the cosponsor of thank ANNA ESHOO for her leadership ter, my Armenian sister, Congress- the resolution. throughout many decades on this issue. woman ESHOO, for helping us plot this Mr. BILIRAKIS. Mr. Speaker, it has It was her idea to bring it up on the strategy to get this bill to the floor. been more than 100 years since the floor today. I want to thank her for April 24, 1915, is a day that lives in atrocities committed against innocent that. Of course she had to work within infamy in the hearts and minds of mil- Armenians and other ethnic and reli- the leadership to get it done, but I lions of Armenians worldwide. It is a gious minorities at the hands of the thank her for recommending that. day that I grew up understanding from Ottoman Empire. Mr. Speaker, I want to remind Mem- my Armenian mother to be one of the The Ottoman Empire genocidal cam- darkest in history. It is the day that paign from 1915 to 1923 killed 1.5 mil- bers that, in 2018, ANNA ESHOO and I wrote the Iraq and Syria Genocide Re- the Ottoman Government embarked on lion Armenians, men and women and lief and Accountability Act. It was a systematic slaughter of 1.5 million children, as well as Greeks, Assyrians, signed by President Trump into law. Armenians, two-thirds of the Armenian Chaldeans, and Syriacs throughout a That provided two things: humani- population. series of executions and death marches. This genocide is recognized in coun- Finally, today, we are entering into tarian relief for the tens of thousands tries around the world, including Can- the United States RECORD the Arme- of Christians and Yazidis fleeing from ada, France, and Germany. It is recog- nian genocide and the historical fact. ISIS; it also provided an accountability nized in 49 States in our Union as the Today, we end a century of inter- piece to collect for, hopefully, utiliza- first genocide of the 20th century, yet national silence. There will not be an- tion in future court cases against the the House of Representatives hasn’t other period of indifference or inter- perpetrators of these heinous crimes. national ignorance to the lives lost to So, Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the recognized both that the genocide oc- curred and that the Ottoman Empire systematic murder. gentlewoman for that work that we did Genocides, wherever and whenever together and, again, for her leadership perpetrated it. Elie Weisel once called denying geno- they occur, cannot be ignored, whether on this issue. cide—and in particular, the Armenian they took place in the 20th century by Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of genocide—a double killing, because it the Ottoman Turks or mid-20th cen- my time. not only exterminates a group of peo- tury by the Third Reich and in Darfur. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 ple, it murders the memory of that Genocide must be acknowledged for minute to the gentlewoman from New crime. Congress must ensure that what it is: a scourge on the human York (Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY), the memory is not destroyed and those race. acting chairwoman of the Committee lives are honored. Genocide is genocide, Mr. Speaker, on Oversight and Reform. As a child, I listened to my mom even if our so-called strategic allies Mrs. CAROLYN B. MALONEY of New speak of the atrocity with pain and perpetrated it. York. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gen- fear. She is gone now, but her pain President Ronald Reagan explicitly tleman for yielding and for his leader- lives on in me to this very day. referred to the Ottoman Empire’s ac- ship on the committee and for this res- By righting this terrible wrong, one tions as the genocide of the Armenians olution, and also ANNA ESHOO and that has festered for far too long, we in a 1981 Holocaust Remembrance Day Chairman SCHIFF and so many of my are alleviating that pain and sending a speech. friends and colleagues for their long ef- message that history can’t be rewrit- Over 30 nations have formally recog- forts to pass it on both sides of the ten. We are stating, in no uncertain nized the genocide, including France, aisle. terms, that America will no longer Germany, and even Russia. Today, Mr. As a member of the Congressional abandon Armenians with feeble excuses Speaker, the United States is going to Caucus on Armenian Issues and the made for a so-called ally. We are af- acknowledge it as well. Representative of a large and vibrant firming that truth is truth. I found Pope Francis’ words and ex- Armenian community in New York Thousands of documents totaling plicit use of the term ‘‘genocide’’ to be City, I strongly support H. Res. 296, af- 37,000 pages in the National Archives another wake-up call for the world. We firming the United States’ record on support the truth: Armenians were must acknowledge the atrocities of the the Armenian genocide. exterminated by Ottoman forces and past so that we might, hopefully, pre- 104 years ago, 1.5 million Armenians Turkish sympathizers. vent them in the future. were murdered by the Ottoman Empire In 1918, former President Theodore Our darkest moments as a human in the first genocide of the 20th cen- Roosevelt sent a letter saying: race have come during times when tury. Ever since, Armenian commu- Because the Armenian massacre was the those who knew better stood silently, nities from across the world, including greatest crime of the war, failure to act making excuses for passivity and al- those in my district, have been forced against Turkey is to condone it and means lowing injustice and persecution to to fight for recognition and justice for that all talk of guaranteeing future peace is reign. Turkey’s denial in so many ways, from nonsense. Turkey’s current actions in northern the illegal invasion of Cypress by Tur- Usually, these words serve as a gen- Syria against our Kurdish allies is ex- key to the vicious attacks on Kurds eral warning, but today they apply to tremely concerning, and we cannot

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00021 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29OC7.046 H29OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H8564 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 29, 2019 stand by and let egregious human could get away with the Holocaust, he occurred. For too long, we have al- rights violations happen. Turkey’s of- was able to reassure them by saying: lowed foreign interests to lobby the fensive into Syria is unacceptable be- Who today speaks of the annihilation United States in favor of turning the havior from a U.S. ally and so-called of the Armenians? other way and not wholly recognizing secular democracy, as well as a NATO Denying genocide in the past will the truth of the Armenian genocide. member. It is simply deplorable, Mr. lead to more genocides in the future. That ends today. Speaker. Today, Germany is a great and pros- In Rhode Island, we have a very We also need to make sure that other perous democracy because it has come proud Armenian community that has genocidal campaigns being waged in to grips with its own past. Where would demonstrated extraordinary resilience. the Middle East are also properly rec- Germany be today if it denied the Hol- They deserve for Congress to acknowl- ognized. ISIS is a perpetrator of geno- ocaust? edge the history of their people and the cide. Christians and other minorities Turkey will become a prosperous and truth of the Armenian genocide. That are being killed solely because of their a modern nation only when it recog- will happen today. religion, and no modern society should nizes the first genocide of the 20th cen- Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to sit silently in the face of such barbaric tury. The best thing we could do for support this resolution. brutality. Turkey is to acknowledge the genocide Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Again, I am thankful that we are fi- and urge them to do likewise. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my nally recognizing these atrocities and The SPEAKER pro tempore. The time. these acts against the Armenian peo- time of the gentleman has expired. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 ple. Like the earliest Christians, the Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I reserve minute to the gentleman from Cali- Armenians proved themselves not only the balance of my time. fornia (Mr. COSTA), another wonderful survivors of persecution, but also mas- Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. member of the Foreign Affairs Com- ters of their destinies. Speaker, I yield 11⁄2 minutes to the gen- mittee. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to tleman from California (Mr. SHERMAN). Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I am proud support this bill. Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank to support H. Res. 296, which would es- Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 the gentleman for yielding, and this is, tablish permanent United States rec- minutes to the gentleman from Cali- indeed, a bipartisan speech. ognition and the ongoing remembrance fornia (Mr. SHERMAN), the chairman of The fact is that many other coun- of the Armenian genocide. the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, tries have recognized this genocide, I thank Chairman ENGEL, Ranking and Nonproliferation on our Foreign and they have done so under tremen- Member MCCAUL, Mr. SMITH, and all of Affairs Committee. He has been a lead- dous Turkish pressure. For example, the supporters of this resolution. er on this issue for years. France was told that they would not be In 1915, the Ottoman Empire, as we able to export to Turkey if they recog- all know, embarked upon the system- b 1500 nized the genocide. They did, and, in atic deportation and murder of 1.5 mil- Mr. SHERMAN. American honor de- the subsequent 6 years, French exports lion Armenians. These innocent men, mands that we end our complicity in to Turkey quadrupled. women, and children became the first genocide denial. This genocide has been recognized by genocide, as we know, in the 20th cen- Four arguments are made against Argentina, Germany, Italy, Belgium, tury. this resolution: and the list goes on and on. It is time Many of these survivors settled in The first is that it is not true. No one for America to also recognize the my district in the San Joaquin Valley, can even make that argument any- truth. where they lived and their children more. 1.5 million Armenians and count- I look forward to the day, which is have enjoyed the blessings of liberty less Syrians, Greeks, and others mas- not true today, when scholars and indi- and lived the American Dream. This in- sacred by the Ottoman Government. viduals in Turkey can talk about the credible, diverse valley that I have the Second, they argue that Turkey is genocide and can come to grips with honor to represent we sometimes refer such a great ally that we should turn a their own past instead of being threat- to as the Land of William Saroyan, a blind eye to what happened last cen- ened with incarceration for even men- noted Armenian author. And Fresno tury. Earlier this month, Turkish tioning this debate, because Turkey State University is the only university forces shelled both to the left and to will not have the rule of law and de- in the United States that has a memo- the right of American military bases. mocracy until you are free to discuss rial dedicated to the Armenian geno- American soldiers fled in unseemly the first genocide of the 20th century cide, a very moving memorial to their haste. What a great ally Turkey is. on Turkish soil. ancestors. Then we were told: Well, the Foreign Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 Yet, this brutal atrocity has not re- Affairs Committee hasn’t had hearings. minute to the gentleman from Rhode ceived the official recognition it de- We have had countless hearings on this Island (Mr. CICILLINE), a valued mem- serves. So, today, it is proper and fit- for decades, including, also, a 4-hour ber of the Foreign Affairs Committee. ting that we do so. markup where we passed it through the Mr. CICILLINE. Mr. Speaker, I rise This is a moral issue. I call upon my committee, and the only argument in support of H. Res. 296, a resolution colleagues to join me and more than made on the other side there was Tur- introduced by my friend Mr. SCHIFF to 110 cosponsors in supporting this long key was such a great ally. Well, last recognize the horror of the genocide overdue passage by the United States week, we had hearings in our com- perpetuated against the Armenian peo- House of Representatives. mittee that demonstrate that Turkey ple by the Ottoman Empire between Mr. Speaker, the horrors of the Ar- is not such a great ally of the United 1913 and 1925, killing 1.5 million mar- menian genocide can never, ever, ever States. tyrs. be undone. Yet, by acknowledging the And, finally, we were told—and this There is no question that the Otto- suffering of the victims through offi- is insulting, I think—during the rules man Empire carried out a systemic cial recognition of the Armenian geno- debate by someone arguing against the campaign of persecution, forced re- cide, we can ensure that at least future rule that it is not worth our time: 1.5 moval, starvation, and murder against generations will never forget. million dead. Armenians, along with other Christian Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. The fact is that genocide denial is minorities living under Ottoman rule. Speaker, I continue to reserve the bal- the last act of a genocide. First, you This campaign was documented in ance of my time. obliterate a people; then you obliterate realtime by American diplomats and Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now their memory; and, finally, you seek to has been acknowledged in various my pleasure to yield 1 minute to the obliterate the memory of the oblitera- forms by previous administrations and gentleman from California (Mr. TED tion. Congresses, the last in 1984. LIEU), another respected member of the And, also, genocide denial is the first In order to prevent future genocides Foreign Affairs Committee. step in the next genocide. When Hit- and mass atrocities, it is vital that we Mr. TED LIEU of California. Mr. ler’s cadres wondered whether they never forget those that have already Speaker, I thank Chairman ENGEL and

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00022 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29OC7.047 H29OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE October 29, 2019 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H8565 Congressman SMITH for their leader- PALLONE and SPEIER, and all who have scent who continue to strengthen our ship. worked relentlessly on this critical res- country. The United States of America should olution, which states that Democrats b 1515 never be afraid to tell the truth, and and Republicans join to: yet, for too long, we did not recognize ‘‘Commemorate the Armenian geno- It is our duty to honor that history the Armenian genocide. That ends cide through official recognition and with an honest, factual statement rec- today. The House of Representatives is remembrance; ognizing the massacre of 1.5 million Ar- going to formally recognize the Arme- ‘‘Reject efforts to enlist, engage, or menians as the 20th century’s first genocide. This resolution cannot undo nian genocide. otherwise associate the United States Over a century ago, the Ottoman Em- Government with denial of the Arme- the horrors that the victims endured or the pain that their descendants carry pire began a plan to systematically ex- nian genocide or any other genocide; with them, but we have an obligation terminate Armenians from their land. and to speak candidly about the past. That 1.5 million Armenians were killed ‘‘Encourage education and public un- is directly tied to our moral respon- across the Turkish countryside. No derstanding of the facts of the Arme- sibilities of the present. amount of revisionist history or lob- nian genocide, including the United The United States must never accept bying can change those facts. States role in the humanitarian relief crimes against humanity, and we must Today is a historic today. Today, we effort, and the relevance of the Arme- do everything in our power to prevent tell the truth and we honor the Arme- nian genocide to modern-day crimes and stop atrocities unfolding in real nian genocide. against humanity.’’ time. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. To honor the memory of those lost What is currently taking place in Speaker, I continue to reserve the bal- and the suffering of those who sur- Syria—the killing of the Kurds at the ance of my time. vived, we firmly and unequivocally de- hands of the Turkish President Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, it is now nounce all attempts to devalue or min- Erdogan—is unacceptable, and it is far my honor to yield 1 minute to the gen- imize these heinous crimes. past time for the Turkish Government tlewoman from California (Ms. PELOSI), Mr. Speaker, I urge a strong vote for to accept its responsibility for the sys- the Speaker of the House. this resolution, which is a statement to tematic extermination of Armenians in Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I thank America’s commitment to human the past century and to commit to pro- the gentleman for yielding, and, more rights and to the truth. tect the dignity of every human life in importantly, I thank him for bringing We are blessed in our country with a this century. this very important legislation to the large Armenian American population, I encourage my colleagues to join in floor today. some serving—Congresswoman SPEIER, supporting this long overdue recogni- I thank Mr. SMITH for his ongoing Congresswoman ESHOO, and others—in tion of the Armenian genocide. Mr. commitment to justice in the world in this House. Every year, we come to- Speaker, your vote is not only for the terms of respecting the dignity and gether to observe the sadness of the Armenians but to prevent genocide in worth of people and not ignoring atroc- genocide, but today, Mr. Speaker, we the future. ities when they happen, now and a long have the opportunity. And may we Let us note that the Ottoman Turks time ago. It is a pleasure to work with have the strength and courage to al- did not succeed. The Armenians are him always. ways denounce hate, violence, and big- still here in the United States, in the Mr. Speaker, we have tried this bill otry; to right the wrongs of history; Republic of Armenia, in Artsakh, and out of committee more than one time, and to build a future of hope, peace, the American people and their Rep- and now it has come to the floor. It is and freedom for all mankind. That is resentatives will continue to be with an honor to speak on it, and it is a who we are as Americans. you. great day for the Congress that we Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. have that privilege. and others for giving us the oppor- Speaker, I reserve the balance of my Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my col- tunity to state our values. time. leagues in solemn remembrance of one Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 of the great atrocities of the 20th cen- Speaker, I continue to reserve the bal- minute to the gentlemen from Mary- tury, the systematic murder of more ance of my time. land (Mr. SARBANES). Mr. SARBANES. Mr. Speaker, I than 1.5 million Armenian men, Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 thank the gentleman for yielding. women, and children by the Ottoman minutes to the gentleman from New Today the House of Representatives Empire. Jersey (Mr. PALLONE), the co-chair of will affirm, finally, that we recognize Too often, tragically, the truth of the congressional Armenian caucus, the horrors of the Armenian genocide this staggering crime has been denied. who has, for many, many years, been at and are committed to remembering the Today, let us clearly state the facts on the forefront of championing this very victims of this crime against human- the floor of this House to be etched for- important resolution. ity. ever into the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I thank Our moral standing in the world re- The barbarism committed against the Mr. ENGEL for all of his work on this, quires us to acknowledge the truth of Armenian people was a genocide. and I, of course, thank all of the mem- the Armenian genocide. For too long, As international observers wrote at bers of the Armenian caucus. One of we have acquiesced in Turkey’s policy the time, it was a ‘‘campaign of race the reasons that we founded the Arme- of genocide denial, unwilling to risk extermination,’’ one that we as Mem- nian caucus was the recognition of the the ire of our so-called ally. bers of Congress and as freedom-loving Armenian genocide. However, Turkey’s actions against people have a moral obligation to But I also have to mention that, I the Kurds in Syria have reinforced never forget. think, as everyone knows, without what many of us have long known: If we ignore history, then we are des- Speaker PELOSI, this would never have Erdogan’s Turkey does not stand for tined to witness the mistakes of the come to the floor today. It is, ulti- human rights or religious freedom, but past be repeated. The recent attacks by mately, her decision to bring it to the instead spreads authoritarianism wher- the Turkish military against the Kurd- floor, and I want to thank her im- ever it goes. Erdogan’s disdain for de- ish people are a stark and brutal re- mensely. mocracy and contempt for an ally was minder of the danger in our own time. Official recognition of the Armenian on display 2 years ago when his body- That is why it is critical, year in and genocide is a powerful reminder that guards attacked peaceful demonstra- year out, to reaffirm our dedication to we will not turn away when we know tors right here in our Nation’s Capital. recognizing the Armenian genocide and full well that crimes against humanity I am pleased that later today the to placing the U.S. Congress firmly on have been perpetrated. We stand here House will vote to impose sanctions on the side of honesty in our history. today to pay tribute to the victims of Turkey for its actions in Syria. This For that, I thank Chairman SCHIFF, this horrific chapter of history, to the resolution and that bill are tied to- Chairman ENGEL, Congresswoman perseverance of those who survived, gether. They are both powerful state- ESHOO, Armenian Caucus Co-chairs and to the Americans of Armenian de- ments that we respect fundamental

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29OC7.049 H29OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H8566 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 29, 2019 human rights and that we desire to Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I Their judgments are supported by 53 Nobel stand on the right side of history. am reminded of the time both Mr. laureates who signed an open letter to the Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. ENGEL, Mr. SMITH, and I traveled to the Government of Turkey on April 9, 2007. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my Sudanese Embassy to protest the geno- Mr. Speaker, the historical record is clear, time. cide in Darfur. We can do no less. and the Armenian Genocide is a tragic fact. Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 It is not just 10 years ago, it is more It must be acknowledged and remembered minute to the gentlewoman from than 100 years ago, at least, that we so that it will never be repeated. Michigan (Mrs. LAWRENCE). saw this genocide. There is no embassy As a member of the Congressional Caucus Mrs. LAWRENCE. Mr. Speaker, that maybe will arrest us now, but I on Armenian Issues, I know that the refusal of today, finally, a congressional resolu- say to Turkey: It is finally time for modern-day Turkey to acknowledge one of the tion that will pay tribute to the Arme- you to acknowledge this genocide. worst examples of man’s inhumanity in the nian, the Syrian, the Greek, the Tragically, you have restarted and re- 20th Century haunts survivors of the Armenian Chaldean, and other lives lost, and the ignited the dastardly acts of genocide Genocide, as well as their families. determination of those who survive. against the Kurds. As a Member of Congress, I believe this is To many Americans of Armenian de- I am glad today on this day that we not only an affront to the memory of the vic- scent who continue to strengthen our are acknowledging that one genocide tims and to their descendants, but it does a country today, we honor those con- can be no worse than another genocide. disservice to the United States as it seeks to tributions with an honest statement of Silence on one genocide is silence on stand up for the victims of violence today. history, recognizing the massacre of 1.5 all genocides. The issue of recognizing the Armenian Armenians as the 20th century’s first Mr. Speaker, I stand here today to genocide and helping the Armenian people is genocide. support H. Res. 296 to acknowledge the neither a partisan nor geopolitical Issue. In the spirit of honoring these vic- Armenian genocide by the United Rather, it is a question of giving the Arme- tims, I am proud to cosponsor H. Res. States of America. nian people the justice they deserve. 296, an official recognition of the Arme- Mr. Speaker, as a senior member of the In doing so, we affirm the dignity of human- nian genocide. Committees on the Judiciary and on Home- kind everywhere. Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. land Security, and as a sponsor of the legisla- It has been said that ‘‘all it takes for evil to Speaker, I reserve the balance of my tion, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 296, a triumph, is for good men to do nothing.’’ time. resolution ‘‘Affirminq the United States Record This is one of the reasons I am proud to Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 on the Armenian Genocide,’’ and I thank Mr. have joined with so many of my colleagues in minute to the gentlewoman from Texas SCHIFF, the gentleman from California and the cosponsoring the resolution affirming the oc- (Ms. JACKSON LEE). Chairman of the House Permanent Select currence of the Armenian genocide throughout Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I Committee on Intelligence, and Mr. ENGEL, the my career in Congress and I will continue to thank the gentleman and acknowledge Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign do for as long as it takes. Mr. SCHIFF and my dear friend, ANNA Affairs for their collaboration and hard work in In recognizing the Armenian Genocide, we ESHOO, and all of those, Mr. PALLONE, bringing this important legislation to the floor. do not seek to persecute any person or state; and of all the Members who have stood Mr. Speaker, the United States record on we seek to build a path that will lead to rec- tall and strong, Mr. SMITH and Mr. the Armenian Genocide goes back more than onciliation between Armenians and Turks. ENGEL, for this very important state- a century, in fact to July 16, 1915, when In doing so, we will remain true to our na- ment. Henry Morgenthau, United States Ambassador tion’s highest aspirations for justice and Let me, as a member of the Arme- to the Ottoman Empire from 1913 to 1916, or- peace. nian Caucus, indicate that I rise with a ganized and led protests by officials of many It was President Lincoln who called upon heavy heart, but I rise with an appre- countries against what he described as the the ‘‘better angels of our nature’’ when he said ciation and an excitement that we have empire’s ‘‘campaign of race extermination’’, in his Second Inaugural Address that all Amer- come to this point. and was instructed on July 16, 1915, by icans should ‘‘do all which may achieve and It is important to acknowledge that United States Secretary of State Robert Lan- cherish a just and lasting peace among our- as this was occurring, the United sing that the ‘‘Department approves your pro- selves and with all nations.’’ States’ record on the Armenian geno- cedure . . . to stop Armenian persecution.’’ Mr. Speaker, the Armenian Genocide has cide goes back more than a century, in The United States has a proud history of been officially recognized by 42 states, which fact, to July 16, 1915, when Henry Mor- recognizing and condemning the Armenian have gone on public record rejecting any claim genthau, United States Ambassador to Genocide, the killing of 1.5 million Armenians or assertion that denies the occurrence of one the Ottoman Empire from 1913 to 1916, by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923 of history’s worst crimes against humanity. organized and led protests by officials and providing relief to the survivors of the I believe it is time for us to join these na- of many countries against what he de- campaign of genocide against Armenians, tions in that endeavor by passing H. Res. 296, scribed as the empire’s campaign of Greeks, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Syriacs, the ‘‘Affirmation of the United States Record race extermination. He was instructed Arameans, Maronites, and other Christians. on the Armenian Genocide Resolution.’’ on July 16, 1915, by United States Sec- Mr. Speaker, the Armenian Genocide rep- Mr. Speaker, I ask for a moment of silence retary of State Robert Lansing that resents the first genocide of the 20th Century, in memory of the millions of silenced voices the ‘‘department approves your proce- where Ottoman Turkish authorities ordered the and interrupted lives of those Armenians who dure . . . to stop Armenian persecu- systematic annihilation of more than 1.5 mil- perished between 1915 and 1923 in the geno- tion.’’ lion Armenians, and which Turkey carried out cide committed by the Ottoman Empire. I rise in support of finally having this from 1915 to 1923 through massacres, depor- I urge all Members to join me in voting for Nation take this stand. Bloodshed and tations, and death marches where hundreds of this critically important resolution, H. Res. 296. genocide should not be tolerated no thousands were herded into the Syrian Desert Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. matter how long we have come to that. to die of thirst and starvation. Speaker, it is my understanding that And so I stand with the words that we Sadly, to this day this chapter of history has there are no further speakers other now, therefore, will commemorate as yet to be admitted by the Government of Tur- than the chairman, and I would like to the United States of America the Ar- key. close. menian genocide through official rec- Many international observers, including then Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time ognition and remembrance. We will re- Ambassador and later U.S. Treasury Sec- as I may consume. ject efforts to enlist, engage, or other- retary Henry Morgenthau, witnessed the night- As I mentioned earlier, the Encyclo- wise associate the United States Gov- mare firsthand and reported detailed accounts pedia of the Armenian Genocide states: ernment with the denial of the Arme- of the atrocities to their governments. During the march many Armenians were nian genocide or any other genocide. Respected organizations and eminent schol- killed indiscriminately by the Ottoman The SPEAKER pro tempore. The forces, which left a trail of corpses along the ars and historians agree and recognize the Ar- route of the march. To break the will of the time of the gentlewoman has expired. menian Genocide, including the Elie Wiesel marchers, they used swords, resulting in Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield the Foundation for Humanity and the renowned great bloodshed. Marchers who survived gentlewoman from Texas an additional International Association of Genocide Schol- these attacks faced starvation, as no provi- 30 seconds. ars. sions whatsoever were made. Many elderly

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This significantly reduced num- to the tenacious leaders of the Arme- commitments made by all NATO allies to bers of marchers who, upon finally making it nian National Committee of America, move away from Russian military systems. into the Syrian desert, were put into con- centration camps and then released into the the Armenian Assembly and the Arme- Passing this resolution for the sole purpose of scorching desert with no food or water and to nian diaspora for persistently encour- poking Turkey in the eye will only serve as an- a certain death. aging Congress to step up and pass this other reason for Turkey to pursue a separation Mr. Speaker, despite having ratified kind of resolution. After a century of from NATO. the Genocide Convention back in 1950, denial, obfuscation, and lies by Turkey, Mr. Speaker, I will be voting present on the Turkish Government has waged an it is time to affirm and reiterate the House Resolution 296 as I believe we have amazingly deceitful campaign of denial truth of the Armenian genocide and failed to do our due diligence in investigating and has done so over the course of dec- honor the victims, the survivors, and this matter and exploring the possible unin- ades using a variety of means to bully, their families. tended consequences that may arise upon intimidate, and punish Turkish citi- Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance passage of this resolution. zens who dare to acknowledge the of my time. Mrs. NAPOLITANO. Mr. Speaker, I rise genocide committed by the Ottoman Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I yield my- today in strong support of H. Res. 296, Affirm- Empire beginning in 1915. self the balance of my time for the pur- ing the United States record on the Armenian Ankara also seeks to intimidate na- pose of closing. Genocide. I am honored to have supported tions. Many nations have refused to be Mr. Speaker, the resolution before us this resolution my entire tenure in Congress. intimidated and to be bullied: Poland, is an important measure for Congress Although it should not have taken this long, Germany, the Holy See, Italy, Russia, to set the record straight and to call today is a historic day in that the House is fi- France, Holland, Portugal, the Czech out the atrocities suffered by the Ar- nally acknowledging the Armenian Genocide, Republic, Denmark, Paraguay, Bolivia, menian people at the hands of the recognizing the heroic efforts of many in our Brazil, Austria, Bulgaria, the European Ottoman Empire in the early 20th cen- government to help the Armenian people, and Parliament, Luxembourg, Sweden, tury as a genocide. honoring the victims of this tragedy. Chile, Argentina, Lithuania, Ven- I, again, want to thank the author of H. Res. 296 acknowledges the systematic ezuela, Slovakia, Canada, Uruguay, this measure, Mr. SCHIFF, along with and deliberate annihilation of millions of Arme- Switzerland, Lebanon, Belgium, the many champions for the Armenian nians by the Ottoman Empire. The resolution Greece, and Cyprus all have come out people in the House. I want to con- recognizes the courage and leadership shown strongly and acknowledged the Arme- gratulate the Armenian American com- at the time by our ambassador Henry Morgen- nian genocide. We need to do the same munity which has worked for so many thau, our government, and the American peo- today. years to try to get this resolution to ple who provided relief and shelter to the vic- Over the years, several U.S. Presi- the House floor and then get it passed. tims of the genocide. Thousands of victims, dents have acknowledged the cruelty We are really making history today, mostly women and children, were saved by and the carnage. But it was Ronald and I thank my colleagues on both the people of our nation who gave humani- Reagan who called it an Armenian sides of the aisle: Mr. SMITH, and all tarian assistance to the refugees. genocide. He said: ‘‘Like the genocide the others who spoke. I think this is Many of the Armenians who fled this crisis of the Armenians before it, and the very important, and I think we will be immigrated to the United States where they found the freedom and prosperity that our na- genocide of the Cambodians, which fol- sending a very, very strong message all tion provides. The descendants of these geno- lowed it—and like too many other per- around the world. secutions of too many other people— Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to cide survivors have created the strong, vi- the lessons of the Holocaust must vote ‘‘yes’’ on this important resolu- brant, and patriotic Armenian-American com- never be forgotten.’’ tion, and I yield back the balance of munity that our nation is blessed with today. To be sure, Presidents Carter, Bush, my time. We must honor the sacrifice of their fore- Clinton, and Bush, said strong words. Ms. JOHNSON of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise fathers and reaffirm the U.S. record on the Ar- They had strong words to describe it. today to express my concerns with House menian Genocide. President Bush called it the ‘‘forced I would like to thank the many advocates in Resolution 296, which will be debated on the exile and the annihilation’’ of 1.5 mil- and outside of Congress who have played an House floor today. lion Armenians. integral role in ths legislation. Our colleagues This counterproductive resolution does not President Obama had promised to Congressman ADAM SCHIFF and Congressman tell the full story of the region during World recognize the genocide but didn’t. A FRANK PALLONE have been tireless advocates War I and reopens a wound between Greeks, Los Angeles Times story on April 21, for this resolution and should be applauded for Turks, Armenians, Kurds, and other ethnic 2015, says it all: ‘‘Armenian hopes their work in getting us here today. The Arme- groups in the region. Favoring the preferred crushed as Obama decides not to use nian-American community has stayed com- storyline of one of these groups without con- the word ‘genocide’.’’ mitted to recognizing the incredible injustice sidering information provided by other ethnic It does matter, Mr. Speaker. Geno- their ancestors suffered even while many chal- groups in the region would serve as a failure cide is a very precise term. It has real lenged their bearing witness to the truth. meaning in international law because on our part to do our due diligence and hear Armenian-Americans have sought formal of the Genocide Convention, and all out all sides on this matter of historic signifi- recognition of this genocide, not only to help Presidents and Members of Congress, I cance. No hearings have been held on this heal their own community, but to ensure geno- hope, will stand up and say that word. resolution and it has come to the floor without cide never happens again. The Armenian- Let me remind my colleagues, be- being marked up by the House Committee on American community is always first to speak cause it is referenced again in the reso- Foreign Affairs. out regarding modern-day crimes against hu- Looking into the future, this resolution fails lution, that back in 1984 we passed a manity, such as in Rwanda and Darfur. joint resolution to designate April 24, to help improve relations between the states Mr. Speaker, like Armenian-Americans I ask 1985—it didn’t pass in the Senate, but it of Turkey and Armenia. Last year, the Arme- my colleagues to support this resolution, not did pass here—and it said in part that nian government annulled normalization proto- only to recognize the genocides of the past, April 24, 1985, is designated as ‘‘Na- cols that were signed by the two governments but to prevent genocide in the future. tional Day of Remembrance of Man’s on October 10, 2009. It is in our best national The SPEAKER pro tempore. All time Inhumanity to Man’’ and authorized security interests that we work with both gov- for debate has expired. the President to observe the day of re- ernments to help facilitate the revival of the Pursuant to House Resolution 655, membrance for all the victims of geno- normalization of relations between the two na- the previous question is ordered on the cide, and especially for the 1.5 million tions in order to keep the region at peace resolution and the preamble. people of Armenian ancestry who were without any escalation towards conflict. The question is on the adoption of the victims of genocide perpetrated in Lastly, the passage of this resolution will the resolution. Turkey between 1915 and 1923. only drive our NATO ally, Turkey, into the The question was taken; and the So I say to my colleagues who are open arms of Vladimir Putin and Russia. Al- Speaker pro tempore announced that watching, we have gone on record be- ready, the Turkish government has purchased the ayes appeared to have it. fore. Let’s not be intimidated by Tur- and taken delivery of the Russian developed Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, on that I key, Erdogan, and others. S–400 anti-aircraft weapons system. The inte- demand the yeas and nays.

VerDate Sep 11 2014 05:40 Oct 30, 2019 Jkt 099060 PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 7634 Sfmt 0634 E:\CR\FM\K29OC7.052 H29OCPT1 SSpencer on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with HOUSE H8568 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE October 29, 2019 The yeas and nays were ordered. (8) the United States Government should gious and ethnic minority communities in The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- utilize diplomatic and military tools to en- northern Syria; and ant to clause 8 of rule XX, further pro- sure the enduring defeat of ISIS; (II) is not hindering counter-terrorism op- ceedings on this question will be post- (9) the United States should stand by crit- erations against ISIS; and ical allies and partners; (B) not later than 15 days before issuing poned. (10) Russian and Iranian political and mili- such a waiver, submits to the appropriate f tary influence in Syria present a threat to congressional committees a justification re- United States national security interests; lating to such determination. b 1530 and (2) RENEWAL OF WAIVERS.—The President ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE SPEAKER (11) the United States Government, in con- may, on a case-by-case basis, renew a waiver PRO TEMPORE cert with the international community, under paragraph (1) for an additional period should hold accountable members of the Syr- of not more than 90 days if, not later than 15 The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu- ian regime and the Governments of the Rus- days before such a waiver expires, the Presi- ant to clause 8 of rule XX, the Chair sian Federation and Iran for atrocities dent determines it is vital to the national se- will postpone further proceedings against the Syrian people. curity interests of the United States to do so and submits to the appropriate congressional today on the motions to suspend the SEC. 3. SANCTIONS AGAINST SENIOR TURKISH OFFICIALS. committees a justification relating to such rules on which a recorded vote or the determination. yeas and nays are ordered, or votes ob- (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 15 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, SEC. 4. PROHIBITION ON ARMS TRANSFERS TO jected to under clause 6 of rule XX. TURKISH MILITARY UNITS IN SYRIA. the President shall impose the sanctions de- (a) PROHIBITION.—No United States defense The House will resume proceedings scribed in section 14 with respect to the fol- articles, defense services, or technology on postponed questions at a later time. lowing foreign persons in connection with under the Arms Export Control Act (22 f Turkey’s military invasion of northern Syria U.S.C. 2751 et seq.) may be transferred to the on October 9, 2019: Government of Turkey if such articles, serv- PROTECT AGAINST CONFLICT BY (1) The Minister of National Defense of TURKEY ACT ices, or technology could be used in oper- Turkey. ations by the Turkish Armed Forces in Mr. ENGEL. Mr. Speaker, I move to (2) The Chief of the General Staff of the northern Syria. suspend the rules and pass the bill Turkish Armed Forces. (b) EXCEPTION.—The prohibition under sub- (3) The Commander of the 2nd Army of the section (a) shall not apply to transfers for ul- (H.R. 4695) to impose sanctions with re- Turkish Armed Forces. spect to Turkey, and for other pur- timate end use by the United States military (4) The Minister of Treasury and Finance or for use in military operations approved by poses, as amended. of Turkey. the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The Clerk read the title of the bill. (b) ADDITIONAL SANCTIONS.— (c) NO USE OF EMERGENCY AUTHORITY.—The The text of the bill is as follows: (1) LIST.—Not later than 30 days after the authority of the President to waive statu- H.R. 4695 date of the enactment of this Act, the Sec- tory congressional review periods under the retary of State, in consultation with the Arms Export Control Act in cases in which Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- Secretary of Defense and the Director of Na- an emergency exists shall not apply to the resentatives of the United States of America in tional Intelligence, shall submit to the transfer of defense articles, defense services, Congress assembled, President and appropriate congressional or technology to the Government of Turkey. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. committees a list of the following foreign SEC. 5. SANCTIONS AGAINST FOREIGN PERSONS This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Protect persons in connection with Turkey’s mili- PROVIDING ARMS TO TURKISH Against Conflict by Turkey Act’’ or the tary invasion of northern Syria on October 9, ARMED FORCES IN SYRIA. ‘‘PACT Act’’. 2019: (a) REPORT.— SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS. (A) Senior Turkish defense officials in- (1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days It is the sense of Congress that— volved in the decision to invade northern after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in consultation with (1) the United States and Turkey have been Syria. the Secretary of Defense and the Director of treaty allies since 1952, when Turkey became (B) Senior Turkish military officials lead- National Intelligence, shall submit to the a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Or- ing attacks against the Syrian Democratic President and appropriate congressional ganization (NATO); Forces (SDF), Kurdish and Arab civilians, or committees a list of any foreign persons de- (2) being a NATO member means that Tur- other religious or ethnic minority commu- termined to knowingly have provided, on or key is treaty bound to safeguard the prin- nities in northern Syria. after such date of enactment, defense arti- ciples of democracy, individual liberty, and (C) Turkish officials significantly facili- cles, defense services, or technology (as such the rule of law and, importantly, should be tating Turkey’s military invasion of north- terms are defined and described in the Arms united with other NATO allies in efforts for ern Syria. Export Control Act) to the Government of collective defense and the preservation of (D) Any Turkish official or member of the Turkey if such articles, services, or tech- peace and security; Turkish Armed Forces who is responsible nology could be used in operations by the (3) Turkey’s military invasion of northern for, complicit in, or has directly or indi- Turkish Armed Forces in northern Syria. Syria on October 9, 2019, is an unacceptable rectly engaged, or has attempted to engage, (2) UPDATES.—The list required under para- and unnecessary escalation of tensions with in any of the following relating to Turkey’s graph (1) shall be updated every 60 days or as the potential to cause a severe humanitarian military invasion of northern Syria: new information becomes available, until crisis and undo the collective gains made in (i) A violation of the law of armed conflict. the sanctions under this section are termi- the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq (ii) A gross violation of internationally nated in accordance with section 7. and Syria (ISIS) by the United States and recognized human rights. (b) IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.—The Presi- the 81 countries and organizations of the (2) UPDATES.—The list required under para- dent shall impose the sanctions described in Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, including graph (1) shall be updated every 60 days, section 14 with respect to any foreign per- NATO and the European Union (EU); until the sanctions under this section are sons identified on the list and related up- (4) Turkey should immediately cease at- terminated in accordance with section 7. dates required under subsection (a). tacks against the Syrian Democratic Forces (3) IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.—Not later (c) EXCEPTION.—The sanctions imposed (SDF), Kurdish and Arab civilians, and other than 15 days after submission of the list re- pursuant to this section shall not apply to religious and ethnic minority communities quired under paragraph (1) and each update transfers for ultimate end use by the United in northern Syria and recall its forces back relating thereto in accordance with para- States military or for use in military oper- to Turkey; graph (2), the President shall impose the ations approved by the North Atlantic Trea- (5) targeted sanctions against Turkey are sanctions described in section 14 with respect ty Organization. an appropriate response in order for Turkey to foreign persons identified in such list and (d) WAIVER.— to be held accountable for its military inva- related updates. (1) IN GENERAL.—The President may waive, sion of northern Syria; (c) WAIVER.— on a case-by-case basis and for a period of (6) Turkey’s military invasion of northern (1) IN GENERAL.—The President may waive, not more than 90 days, the imposition of Syria is the latest example of the weakening on a case-by-case basis and for a period of sanctions under this section with respect to and problematic United States-Turkey bilat- not more than 90 days, the imposition of a foreign person if the President determines eral relationship and undermines the secu- sanctions under this section with respect to it is important to the national security in- rity of the United States and its NATO al- a foreign person if the President— terests of the United States to do so and, not lies, including that of Turkey; (A) determines that— later than 15 days before issuing such a waiv- (7) the SDF have been critical partners to (i) it is vital to the national security inter- er, submits to the appropriate congressional United States and allied counter-ISIS and ests of the United States to do so; and committees a justification relating to such broader counterterrorism efforts in Syria, (ii) Turkey— determination. and the United States should continue this (I) has halted attacks against the SDF, (2) RENEWAL OF WAIVERS.—The President partnership with the SDF; Kurdish and Arab civilians, and other reli- may, on a case-by-case basis, renew a waiver

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