Transcript [PDF] - House Foreign Affairs Committee Democrats

44
In 2001, France passed a law recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
In the subsequent 6 years, exports from France to Turkey
went up four fold, even after France had been threatened with a
boycott. And in fact there have been massive increases in exports
by Belgium, Canada, Italy, Greece, Italy, Lebanon, and Russia.
Perhaps the key to getting Turkey on our side is to pass this resolution.
That is not what they say, but that is what seems to happen
when you look at the recent past.
Turkey should acknowledge. We have provided them with $23
billion in aid. We saved them from Communism, we helped build
the pipeline that brings them oil today, we prevented an independent
Kurdish state in Iraq, and we are the loudest voice for
helping Turkey enter the European Union. With all that, they
shouldn’t also ask us to act like cowards and deny the truth. I yield
back.
Chairman BERMAN. The time of the gentleman has expired. We
have only a few minutes left for a vote. After consultations with the
ranking member, it is the intention of the chair to recess this committee
until 2:10, allow Ambassador Watson and Mr. Boozman to
have their time to speak, and then go to the roll call at 2:15. We
need to have a working quorum for the start of that roll call vote,
and that roll call will continue until 5 minutes after the last vote
in the next round of votes closes. In other words——
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Chairman
Chairman BERMAN. Yes
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. We will begin voting at 2:15 or as soon as
those two members finish their remarks, Mr. Boozman and Ambassador
Watson And any others who may——
Chairman BERMAN. Well, let us not say any others.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Okay, that is why I want to make sure. So
we have these two speakers and then we will commence voting, so
we can tell everybody on our side, 2:15 more or less.
Chairman BERMAN. We will need a working quorum to commence
the roll call.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Thank you, sir.
Chairman BERMAN. And I expect that to be right around 2:15
under this outline. So the committee is now recessed until 2:10, at
which time I will recognize Mr. Boozman and expect the roll call
to start at 2:15.
Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. And it will end
Chairman BERMAN. 5 minutes after the next round of votes after
this one, on the floor, ends.
[Recess.]
Chairman BERMAN. The committee shall come to order. The
markup is reconvened. It is now my pleasure to recognize Ambassador
Watson for a statement. She moves to strike the last word,
and she is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. WATSON. Thank you. I am striking the last word, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you for bringing House Resolution 252, which is the
Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide,
to the committee for markup.
As a previous supporter of this significant legislation in 2007, I
have once again, along with 160 of our colleagues, join in co-sponsoring
the bipartisan resolution. Today’s proposed bill calls upon
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