Letter to Congress - Armenian Issue
Honorable Member of the US Congress,
Re: H.Con.Res.55
It is that time of year again. Some members of Congress are once more wasting time and money on an Armenian resolution. I am not going to expand upon the facts of this subject with which you people are already cognizant. These are...
But I am writing to Congress about the need for all of us, including you, to be more positive and diligent in the effort to create harmony among ethnic Americans.
Some members of our great Congress attempt to rewrite history by introducing "resolutions" year in and year out in order to gain favor among various ethnic groups to keep votes and raise campaign funds for their next elections. This is destructive to the democratic process and completely at odds with the rights and expectations of the majority of the citizens of this country. Our Congress has better work to do than to promote divisive and biased accounts of "history" in this manner. The negative effects of such resolutions is harmful to the innocent in that it promotes hatreds on both sides and gives new life to tragic events of war which have been clouded by faulty memory and which lack basis in fact.
I am an American citizen of Turkish ancestry and I have a wonderful family. You people have no right to tarnish our good name and heritage by introducing a resolution which has been purchased by wealthy Armenian lobbyists and their misguided sympathizers. We are decent, proud and law abiding people. Our children were born, educated, live and work in this country. The passage of this resolution would be an insult with which they, and we, would have to live every day.
In today’s climate of campaign finance reform this is an area we should closely examine. There should be some rule by which we prevent elected representatives from accepting campaign funds for the purpose of furthering the economic and political gains of any ethnic group, in or out of our country, at the expense of our citizens and the better interests of our own nation.
The fabric of America is woven from strong threads from every part of our world. Congress should make every effort to keep that fabric tightly woven by promoting and encouraging respect and understanding for each citizen’s origin and religion. America has nothing to gain from divisive activities; but we have much to lose.
Congressmen who are really interested in helping Armenians should send all their collected campaign donations from Armenian Americans and their sympathizers to Armenia. Believe me, in the wake of the dissolution of the USSR, they need those funds more than you do.
Let us not waste American taxpayers’ money and Congress’s valuable time and energy by introducing resolutions on negative and destructive causes. Let us start helping to create friendly political and economic cooperation between America, Turkey and Armenia . The result will be a positive one for all concerned. Political and economic stability in the region can only further the cause of world peace.
Harmony and respect among these peace-loving nations will increase trade, and will create more jobs for everyone. With all my honest desire, I hope the people of Armenia and Turkey can live forever in harmony as good neighbors. No one has the right to promote ill feelings between these two peoples.
Thank You
Cengiz Sarikcioglu