Thursday, August 18, 2022
No Result
View All Result
Asbarez.com
NEWSLETTER
ՀԱՅ
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Community
  • Arts & Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Critics’ Forum
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinon
    • Letters
  • Columns
    • By Any Means
    • My Turn
    • Three Apples
    • Community Links
    • Critics’ Forum
    • My Name is Armen
    • Living in Armenia
  • Videos
  • Sports
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Community
  • Arts & Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Critics’ Forum
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinon
    • Letters
  • Columns
    • By Any Means
    • My Turn
    • Three Apples
    • Community Links
    • Critics’ Forum
    • My Name is Armen
    • Living in Armenia
  • Videos
  • Sports
No Result
View All Result
Asbarez.com
ՀԱՅ
No Result
View All Result

WATCH: Schiff Makes Remarks in Armenian Marking Genocide Anniversary

by Contributor
April 24, 2013
in Featured Story, Latest, News, Top Stories, Videos
26
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

WASHINGTON–On Wednesday Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the lead sponsor of the Armenian Genocide resolution in Congress, delivered his remarks in Armenian on the House Floor to honor the more than one and a half million Armenian men, women and children who were murdered by the Ottoman government.

In a historic first in the Congress, Representative Schiff said in his Armenian address, “I speak to you from the floor of the House of Representatives in the language of your grandparents and your great grandparents – the language they used to speak of their hopes, their dreams, their lives and their loves in the years before 1915 … I speak to you in the language of sons who watched their fathers murdered … I speak to you in the language of the girls begging the gendarmes for mercy …”

“My Armenian friends, here and around the world, today on the 98th anniversary of the [genocide day], I speak to you from the floor of the House of Representatives in the language of your grandparents and your great grandparents – the language they used to speak of their hopes, their dreams, their lives and their loves in the years before 1915.

“Throughout the Ottoman Empire, tens of thousands were to be killed outright.

“I speak to you in the language of the sons who watched their fathers’ murdered.

“Women were raped by the thousands.

“I speak to you in the language of the girls begging the gendarmes for mercy.

“Families were force marched through desert heat as the Ottoman government sought to destroy a people.

“I speak you in the language of the children begging for a drop of water.

“By the time it was over in 1923, more than 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children were dead.  It was the first genocide of the 20th Century.

“I speak to you in the language of the mothers who died with their babies in their arms.

“A nation was scattered around the world…  To the Middle East, to Europe and to America.

“I speak to you in the language of the survivors who came to America for freedom and made a new life

“For almost a century, Turkey has denied the genocide.  In the face of overwhelming evidence – much of it from American diplomats and journalists – Ankara has denied that the genocide ever happened.  They want the world to forget.

“I speak to you in the language of those who were lost.  Their voices drift across the decades – begging us to remember.

“I am not a descendant of the fallen, but I speak to you in their beautiful language because on this day, we are all Armenian.  And not just on this day.  Whenever we speak out against mass murder, whenever we refuse to be cowed into silence, we are all Armenian.

“For many years I have sat with you and listened – to the stories of those who were lost in the genocide and those who survived.

“I speak to you in their language to thank you for sharing your history with me.  And I speak to you from this place, this House, because Americans have always shown the courage to look horror in the eye and speak its name, and I look forward to the day when its leaders will do the same.

“And because I know that day will come.  May it come soon, so the last of the survivors may hear its awesome sound.

“May God hear our voices.

“Thank you, Mr. Speaker.  I yield back.”

Contributor

Contributor

Next Post

EDITORIAL: Imperative for a National Agenda

Comments 26

  1. Satenik says:
    9 years ago

    Very impressive. Thank you. Now lets see if president Obama is going to be moved by this speech.

    Reply
    • edward demian says:
      9 years ago

      You think Obama understands Armenian?

      Reply
      • Satenik says:
        9 years ago

        You’ll be surprised. Stranger things have happened……..

        Reply
    • Zareh says:
      9 years ago

      Obama is busy scheduling his next golf outing . He could care less about the Armenians. His buddy Erdogan will never allow him the use the word Genocide. Obama is a coward just like all the presidents before him except Reagan(God bless his heart).

      Reply
  2. Gregory says:
    9 years ago

    As an individual Mr. Schiff you are to be commended for your diligence however the party to which you are affiliated with (democrats) has severely antagonized Armenians, consistently disrespected our martyrs and taken our community for granted for WAY TOO LONG. Your party’s so called ‘leaders’ have left our community with no other choice but to continue fending for ourselves against all odds irrespective of what spineless backstabbing ‘leaders’ say or do. This is how political party’s alienate constituents. You can thank obama.

    Reply
  3. edward demian says:
    9 years ago

    I listened and it brought tears to my eyes. I wondered what the Turks made of it? “A hundred years later and a Jewish lawmaker gives a speech on the house floor in Armenian”. Fantastic.

    Reply
  4. Margarit Mardirosian says:
    9 years ago

    If all politicians were like Adam Schiff, politics would be less dirty and more respectful. Mr. Schiff, thank you, thank you. You have proved over and over that you care about those who have elected you to represent them. You have truly and justly earned the Armenian Vote. You are one politician who does what he says and says what he means. God Bless you and your family.

    Reply
  5. zohrab says:
    9 years ago

    obama is looking after his bank account

    Reply
  6. An Armenian says:
    9 years ago

    If Obama and his administration at the US State Dept. have had to go through what the Armenian nation has had to go through for centuries, perhaps he would have been moved. Otherwise, not a chance that he is going to be moved by this speech.

    Reply
  7. Robert says:
    9 years ago

    This is very admirable and shows great respect to those caught up in the Armenian Genocide. Thank you Congressman Schiff.

    Reply
  8. Nora Armani says:
    9 years ago

    Nice attempt, but missed opportunity!!!!
    What was the point? Who understands Armenian from the decision makers and polititican? Or was he addressing the Armenians who already know the story? Would have been much more effective to address Turks in Turkish or just in plain good old English so the rest of the Americans and the World could be filled in. Once again we, poor Armenians, rejoice because and ‘Odar’ speaks our language! But what has this speech achieved regarding the issue of Universal recognition and retribution????
    Or am I missing something here? Honestly, please fill me in.
    And dear Satenig, how do you expect Obama to be moved by this speech when he speaks no Armenian except the phonetically pronounced two words, ‘Medz Yeghern’?!?
    Irav meghk enk!

    Reply
    • Hovaz says:
      9 years ago

      Your voice has echoed through my comments… Please read them. We have to start the process before it’s TOO LITTLE TOO LATE!! We’ve got to start the movement now or never…

      Reply
    • Satenik says:
      9 years ago

      You must know one thing that dictates politics and it’s nothing new. You don’t need to understand a language per se in order to understand what is the politics behind it. Politics has a language of its own and it is universal. You either understand it or you don’t. By the way I never consider myself meghk” perhaps a “mekh” would be an apt description. We should be alert and politically engaged and read between the lines a little. There is lots of things that leaders don’t understand it but they have to accept it when the time is right. Don’t forget almost all presidents ,including Obama have their own speech writers, they don’t even have to think what they are going to say. All they have to do is read what’s put in front of them and yes it’s a fact that most of them don’t even comprehend what they are reading.You are of course right in saying that this speech alone may not achieve much but remember that there has been a tremendous change in attitudes ( all be it just appearance), if you have been following the Turkish newspapers, it’s only in the very recent years that they have been wrioting about the Armenian Genocide. Some of their columist have been quite candid about what happened in 1915. These are articles that would NEVER be allowed to be published before, so every little helps.

      Reply
  9. john Ahmaranian says:
    9 years ago

    Thank you very much.

    Reply
  10. Therese says:
    9 years ago

    BRAVO, BRAVO, BRAVO AND THANK YOU MR. ADAM SCHIFF-IAN. I truly feel you are doing this from the bottom of your heart. Thank you for supporting our cause. Mr Obama I wish you would keep the promise you made to our Armenian people over 4 years ago. I trusted you and voted for you (twice)!

    Reply
  11. Barkev Asadourian says:
    9 years ago

    Obama Defending Turkishh Criime of the GENOCIDE as before!!

    Reply
  12. HArutuyn says:
    9 years ago

    Very good and i must say the day will come were the truth will rise and save the humans from barbaric acts and thoughts toward each other , the day will come when Turkey rocognises its past and admits her mistakes, and the day will come when the world will see it that the truth saves souls.

    Reply
    • Hovaz says:
      9 years ago

      Only in your sweetest dreams… Please wake up from your deep mental freeze. We can only defeat Turkey and return our homeland by waging an Economic War. Obviously you are detached from reality and World Geo-Politics… just like the majority of Armenians. I might sound very annoying to you at first and kind of harsh. But this is for the greater good of our nation. Please don’t take it personal. You are not alone… Unfortunately, millions of Armenians are just like you. My mission sounds like impossible but if I wake you up, I would add another soldier to the futuristic army that will bring Turkey to its knees.

      Reply
  13. MGL says:
    9 years ago

    He is the man! Thank you Mr.Schiff!!!

    Reply
  14. Hovhannes G. Svadjian says:
    9 years ago

    ԱՊՐԻՔ

    Reply
  15. Hovaz says:
    9 years ago

    Not bad for a non-Armenian to express himself in our language for the first time. Excellent performance on his side & very encouraging indeed, at least from the sentimental point of view. However, it will be very naive to think that it will have any positive affect on any Washington policy maker. In their chameleonian minds, it will be considered beneficial for them… It simply spreads dust in the eyes of the Armenian masses worldwide. Nothing will change on the ground. On April 25th, most Armenians will go about their normal business of bread winning & survival in a recession economy. On next year’s April 24th, some other genius politician will come up with a new mind trick for the Armenian audience… Bottom line is this: On our homeland front, Yerevan’s corrupt politicians will do little or no effort in the UN to officially push our cause on the International arena. In Washington, London, Paris, Moscow, Berlin and all other influential capitals, we will always be the sacrificial pawn and sometimes the Ace that they will play anytime they feel the need to bargain with Turkey. This pathetic status shall continue for many more dacades or may be generations until we loose our identity and no longer feel the need to pursue our cause.

    Reply
  16. Hovaz says:
    9 years ago

    There has to be a different path that will ultimately take our cuase to its just resolution. Lobbying alone in large capitals is like making annoying noises in an ally by an amateur teenager… It’s about time to put our collective economic muscle into a very serious business. I say it loud & clear to all nationally conscious compatriots… We have to start an ECONOMIC WARFARE against Turkey. If you want to defeat your enemy, make him starve first! How would you explain otherwise the blocades that preceded the war in Iraq and other parts of the globe? The current US led embargo by the West on Iran? The dacades long blocade by Azerbaijan & Turkey on Armenia?? Doesn’t that mean anything to our political elite? Why would we neglect a much more effective warfare tactics against an enemy that has been using it on our country since its inception??? Are we there to simply create noise under the ears of corrupt politicians? These are fundamental questions that need to be answered genuinely by us if we truly want to change the rules of engagement with our foes…

    Reply
  17. An Armenian says:
    9 years ago

    I think this was a way to counter the “Metz Yeghern” words used by Obama in his annual address to the Armenian people. Mr. Schiff actuall used the correct word for Genocide in Armenian “Tseghaspanoutuin”. This was the message being sent. Obama does nto realize that the words “Metz Yeghern” in Armenian describe the event and not the act. “Metz Yeghern” is the event and “Tseghaspanoutuin” is the act. Someone needs to communicate this to Obama and Mr. Serzh Sarkissian.

    Reply
  18. Arziv says:
    9 years ago

    He should have delivered the speech in English; so that it could have been heard and understood by all those listening. . In the assembly where he delivered the speech no one understood an iota. Do not waste energy on this Obama guy, he reneged on all his pledges to his ” convictions” ???. . Has Mr Schiff any aspirations to the presidency ? He must be given all the support available. An exceptional man; grateful for his dignity and humanity. Bless you.

    Reply
  19. Mike Mirakian says:
    9 years ago

    Pretty courageous of Representative Shiff! I can’t recall anyone doing that before. His Armenian sounded just perfect to me. To all the cynics out there, no ONE thing is going to get us what we want. I think we are doing pretty damn good considering our size and financial capabilities. The Azeris have mega oil bucks. The Turks have strategic geography, ten times our population and tons of American money. We appear to have righteousness and corrupt politicians. Times change and allegiances change — hang in there and don’t ever give up!

    Reply
  20. Peter Musurlian says:
    9 years ago

    Brilliant and sincere. Thanks Adam.

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Zareh Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recommended

Chamlian Kicks Off New School Year

Chamlian Kicks Off New School Year

15 hours ago
Search Continues for Missing People as Armenia Mourns Victims of Market Explosion

Search Continues for Missing People as Armenia Mourns Victims of Market Explosion

15 hours ago

Connect with us

  • About
  • Advertising
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

© 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Community
  • Arts & Culture
    • Art
    • Books
    • Music
    • Theatre
    • Critics’ Forum
  • Op-Ed
    • Editorial
    • Opinon
    • Letters
  • Columns
    • By Any Means
    • My Turn
    • Three Apples
    • Community Links
    • Critics’ Forum
    • My Name is Armen
    • Living in Armenia
  • Videos
  • Sports

© 2021 Asbarez | All Rights Reserved | Powered By MSDN Solutions Inc.

Accessibility

Accessibility modes

Epilepsy Safe Mode
Dampens color and removes blinks
This mode enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
Visually Impaired Mode
Improves website's visuals
This mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
Cognitive Disability Mode
Helps to focus on specific content
This mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
ADHD Friendly Mode
Reduces distractions and improve focus
This mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
Blindness Mode
Allows using the site with your screen-reader
This mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.

Online Dictionary

    Readable Experience

    Content Scaling
    Default
    Text Magnifier
    Readable Font
    Dyslexia Friendly
    Highlight Titles
    Highlight Links
    Font Sizing
    Default
    Line Height
    Default
    Letter Spacing
    Default
    Left Aligned
    Center Aligned
    Right Aligned

    Visually Pleasing Experience

    Dark Contrast
    Light Contrast
    Monochrome
    High Contrast
    High Saturation
    Low Saturation
    Adjust Text Colors
    Adjust Title Colors
    Adjust Background Colors

    Easy Orientation

    Mute Sounds
    Hide Images
    Virtual Keyboard
    Reading Guide
    Stop Animations
    Reading Mask
    Highlight Hover
    Highlight Focus
    Big Dark Cursor
    Big Light Cursor
    Navigation Keys

    Asbarez.com Accessibility Statement

    Accessibility Statement

    • www.asbarez.com
    • August 18, 2022

    Compliance status

    We firmly believe that the internet should be available and accessible to anyone, and are committed to providing a website that is accessible to the widest possible audience, regardless of circumstance and ability.

    To fulfill this, we aim to adhere as strictly as possible to the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 (WCAG 2.1) at the AA level. These guidelines explain how to make web content accessible to people with a wide array of disabilities. Complying with those guidelines helps us ensure that the website is accessible to all people: blind people, people with motor impairments, visual impairment, cognitive disabilities, and more.

    This website utilizes various technologies that are meant to make it as accessible as possible at all times. We utilize an accessibility interface that allows persons with specific disabilities to adjust the website’s UI (user interface) and design it to their personal needs.

    Additionally, the website utilizes an AI-based application that runs in the background and optimizes its accessibility level constantly. This application remediates the website’s HTML, adapts Its functionality and behavior for screen-readers used by the blind users, and for keyboard functions used by individuals with motor impairments.

    If you’ve found a malfunction or have ideas for improvement, we’ll be happy to hear from you. You can reach out to the website’s operators by using the following email

    Screen-reader and keyboard navigation

    Our website implements the ARIA attributes (Accessible Rich Internet Applications) technique, alongside various different behavioral changes, to ensure blind users visiting with screen-readers are able to read, comprehend, and enjoy the website’s functions. As soon as a user with a screen-reader enters your site, they immediately receive a prompt to enter the Screen-Reader Profile so they can browse and operate your site effectively. Here’s how our website covers some of the most important screen-reader requirements, alongside console screenshots of code examples:

    1. Screen-reader optimization: we run a background process that learns the website’s components from top to bottom, to ensure ongoing compliance even when updating the website. In this process, we provide screen-readers with meaningful data using the ARIA set of attributes. For example, we provide accurate form labels; descriptions for actionable icons (social media icons, search icons, cart icons, etc.); validation guidance for form inputs; element roles such as buttons, menus, modal dialogues (popups), and others. Additionally, the background process scans all of the website’s images and provides an accurate and meaningful image-object-recognition-based description as an ALT (alternate text) tag for images that are not described. It will also extract texts that are embedded within the image, using an OCR (optical character recognition) technology. To turn on screen-reader adjustments at any time, users need only to press the Alt+1 keyboard combination. Screen-reader users also get automatic announcements to turn the Screen-reader mode on as soon as they enter the website.

      These adjustments are compatible with all popular screen readers, including JAWS and NVDA.

    2. Keyboard navigation optimization: The background process also adjusts the website’s HTML, and adds various behaviors using JavaScript code to make the website operable by the keyboard. This includes the ability to navigate the website using the Tab and Shift+Tab keys, operate dropdowns with the arrow keys, close them with Esc, trigger buttons and links using the Enter key, navigate between radio and checkbox elements using the arrow keys, and fill them in with the Spacebar or Enter key.Additionally, keyboard users will find quick-navigation and content-skip menus, available at any time by clicking Alt+1, or as the first elements of the site while navigating with the keyboard. The background process also handles triggered popups by moving the keyboard focus towards them as soon as they appear, and not allow the focus drift outside of it.

      Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

    Disability profiles supported in our website

    • Epilepsy Safe Mode: this profile enables people with epilepsy to use the website safely by eliminating the risk of seizures that result from flashing or blinking animations and risky color combinations.
    • Visually Impaired Mode: this mode adjusts the website for the convenience of users with visual impairments such as Degrading Eyesight, Tunnel Vision, Cataract, Glaucoma, and others.
    • Cognitive Disability Mode: this mode provides different assistive options to help users with cognitive impairments such as Dyslexia, Autism, CVA, and others, to focus on the essential elements of the website more easily.
    • ADHD Friendly Mode: this mode helps users with ADHD and Neurodevelopmental disorders to read, browse, and focus on the main website elements more easily while significantly reducing distractions.
    • Blindness Mode: this mode configures the website to be compatible with screen-readers such as JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack. A screen-reader is software for blind users that is installed on a computer and smartphone, and websites must be compatible with it.
    • Keyboard Navigation Profile (Motor-Impaired): this profile enables motor-impaired persons to operate the website using the keyboard Tab, Shift+Tab, and the Enter keys. Users can also use shortcuts such as “M” (menus), “H” (headings), “F” (forms), “B” (buttons), and “G” (graphics) to jump to specific elements.

    Additional UI, design, and readability adjustments

    1. Font adjustments – users, can increase and decrease its size, change its family (type), adjust the spacing, alignment, line height, and more.
    2. Color adjustments – users can select various color contrast profiles such as light, dark, inverted, and monochrome. Additionally, users can swap color schemes of titles, texts, and backgrounds, with over 7 different coloring options.
    3. Animations – epileptic users can stop all running animations with the click of a button. Animations controlled by the interface include videos, GIFs, and CSS flashing transitions.
    4. Content highlighting – users can choose to emphasize important elements such as links and titles. They can also choose to highlight focused or hovered elements only.
    5. Audio muting – users with hearing devices may experience headaches or other issues due to automatic audio playing. This option lets users mute the entire website instantly.
    6. Cognitive disorders – we utilize a search engine that is linked to Wikipedia and Wiktionary, allowing people with cognitive disorders to decipher meanings of phrases, initials, slang, and others.
    7. Additional functions – we provide users the option to change cursor color and size, use a printing mode, enable a virtual keyboard, and many other functions.

    Browser and assistive technology compatibility

    We aim to support the widest array of browsers and assistive technologies as possible, so our users can choose the best fitting tools for them, with as few limitations as possible. Therefore, we have worked very hard to be able to support all major systems that comprise over 95% of the user market share including Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Apple Safari, Opera and Microsoft Edge, JAWS and NVDA (screen readers), both for Windows and for MAC users.

    Notes, comments, and feedback

    Despite our very best efforts to allow anybody to adjust the website to their needs, there may still be pages or sections that are not fully accessible, are in the process of becoming accessible, or are lacking an adequate technological solution to make them accessible. Still, we are continually improving our accessibility, adding, updating and improving its options and features, and developing and adopting new technologies. All this is meant to reach the optimal level of accessibility, following technological advancements. For any assistance, please reach out to