[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H3790-H3791]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     COMMEMORATION OF THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Massachusetts [Mr. Meehan] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. MEEHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 81st 
anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Once again, I join my colleagues 
and Armenians around the world to honor over 1.5 million Armenians who 
were killed in this tragic event.
  Like every human tragedy, we must retell this terrible story to our 
children to teach a lesson: Hatred and bigotry must not be tolerated. 
Instead, as our world grows smaller every day, we must learn to live 
together in a global village. We must discover and treasure the 
differences among peoples around

[[Page H3791]]

the world. We must promote tolerance and understanding. Only then will 
we have peace. When we remember the Armenian genocide we send a strong 
message to our global community that violence born of hatred and fear 
is unacceptable.
  While reflecting on the tragedy that began in 1915, our thoughts 
inevitably turn to a present day tragedy: Bosnia. The world is just 
beginning to comprehend the atrocities that took place there. The 
international community is working tirelessly to piece this war torn 
country back together. However, like those lost in the Armenian 
genocide, no one can bring back the many precious lives that were lost 
for no valid reason in the Bosnian War.
  I represent a large and active Armenian community in my district. 
They are hard working and proud of their heritage. As Representatives 
to the United States Congress, it is our duty to commemorate the 
Armenian genocide in the hope that future generations will never allow 
such a callous disregard for human rights to occur again.

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