[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 71 (Tuesday, May 2, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E929]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                           ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 2, 1995
  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues today to 
commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. In 1915, 
Armenian religious, political and intellectual leaders were arrested 
and executed. The campaign of genocide began with this act and resulted 
in the deaths of over 1.5 million Armenians by 1923.
  April 24 is the symbolic day of remembrance for the Armenian 
community to join together and remember the horrible events of their 
ancestors. Residents of Armenian heritage in my congressional district 
believe remembering the past will prevent the world from forgetting.
  The Armenian people have maintained their cultural and historical 
identity with perseverance and pride despite the oppression they 
endured. That is why I have joined a number of my colleagues in 
Congress in cosponsoring H. Con. Res. 47 to call on the Republic of 
Turkey to acknowledge and commemorate the genocide.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the tragedy of the 
Armenian genocide and in renewing our commitment to human rights. The 
Congress must stand firm in its resolve to oppose violence and 
repression against humanity.


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