[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 43 (Tuesday, April 19, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: April 19, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
      COMMEMORATING THE 79TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

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                         HON. WILLIAM M. THOMAS

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 19, 1994

  Mr. THOMAS of California. Mr. Speaker, today I ask you to join me in 
commemoration of the 79th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. On 
April 24, 1995, under the direction of the Turkish Ottoman Empire, a 
campaign of Armenian extermination began. By 1923, 1.5 million 
Armenians were murdered, with another 500,000 forced into Russian 
exile. Today we recognize the struggle of the Armenian people to live 
peacefully in their historic homeland.
  Armenians in the United States and elsewhere should know that their 
history of suffering has not and will not be ignored. Like the Jewish 
and Cambodian Holocosts, the Armenian genocide stands out as one of the 
world's most morally reprehensible acts. We need to address and trace 
the causal factors leading to the rise of totalitarian governments, and 
ensure that the seeds of fascism are never again planted.
  On this day, we all should take a moment to remember those Armenians 
who died 79 years ago. The United States and our allies should also 
reaffirm our resolve to ensure that no nation will ever again have the 
opportunity to participate in mass genocide.
  Thank you Mr. Speaker.

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