U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Robert Menendez attended and addressed a community celebration of the 22nd anniversary of Armenia’s Independence on Sunday at the Glendale Youth Center, Asbarez reporetd.

In his remarks, Menendez recalled the heroic perseverance of the Armenian people who took up arms to defend their homeland in 1918, establishing the Independent Republic of Armenia, and after seven decades of Soviet rule, once again declared their will to live freely.

The senator also praised the contribution of Armenian Americans to the fabric of life in the United States, and highlighted the contributions of the Armenian National Committee of America in advancing the just aspirations of the Armenian people and advocating for their rights.

Menedez also said that the time has come for the United States to join the European Union and 19 other countries and recognize the Armenian Genocide. He recalled Hitler’s famous quote “who now remembers the Armenians” before embarking on the Holocaust. “We remember,” he declared.