The Promise Armenian Institute, December 13, 2019 — Both houses of the U.S. Congress have approved resolutions recognizing the Armenian genocide of 1915–23. The Senate unanimously adopted a resolution yesterday, following the adoption of a similar resolution by the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 405 to 11 on October 29.

“The Armenian people, and other champions of human rights throughout the world, have long fought for recognition of the atrocities committed against Armenians — by the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century — as genocide. Yesterday, the second chamber of Congress finally adopted a resolution that formally recognizes that reality, putting the full weight of the American government behind this historical fact once and for all,” said Dr. Eric Esrailian, chief of UCLA Vatche & Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases and producer of the film, “The Promise.”

Dr. Esrailian and colleagues helped lead an effort towards the creation of The Promise Armenian Institute in the UCLA International Institute, established through a $20 million gift from the estate of philanthropist and entrepreneur Kirk Kerkorian.

“We are delighted by the unanimous adoption of the resolution by the U.S. Senate,” said Cindy Fan, vice provost for international studies and global engagement at UCLA. “We extend our well wishes to all Armenians, including faculty, students and staff of Armenian heritage at UCLA. It is fortuitous that The Promise Armenian Institute at UCLA will begin its work at such an encouraging historic moment.”