[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H3793-H3794]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN HOLOCAUST

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Rhode Island [Mr. Reed] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. REED. Mr. Speaker, I rise to commemorate the 81st anniversary of 
the Armenian Holocaust. On this date in 1915, the Ottoman Empire and 
the successor Turkish nationalist regime began a brutal policy of 
deportation and slaughter. Over the next 8 years, 1.5 million Armenians 
would be ruthlessly massacred at the hands of the Turks, and another 
500,000 would have their property confiscated and be driver from their 
homeland. Engrossed in its own problems at the time, the world

[[Page H3794]]

did little as a population was devastated.
  As these memories stay eternally fresh in their minds and hearts, the 
people of the Armenian Republic continue to suffer. In recent years, 
attempting to establish their independence from the former Soviet 
Union, Armenia has suffered a series of setbacks, including an 
earthquake in 1988 and a Turkish-led economic blockade that has 
prevented humanitarian aid from entering the country.
  Despite these tragic circumstances, the Armenian people continue to 
be an inspiration to people around the world. Indeed, last July's 
democratic elections and new Constitution are evidence of the Armenian 
devotion to democracy. At the same time, the Armenian community in the 
United States and in my home state of Rhode Island continues to enrich 
our society and culture. They have brought with them their 
unconquerable spirit, patriotism, and valor. Furthermore, they remind 
us that we must never forget those who perished 81 years ago. Along 
with the lives that were lost, the Armenian genocide resulted in the 
destruction of a society and a culture.
  It is the memory of those whose perished that we remember today, but 
it is also those who have carried on, that we must honor. We know too 
well that history can repeat itself, and that the problems of far-off 
nations are often overlooked in the face of larger global issues. While 
nothing can undo the crime of the Armenian genocide, we can do our best 
to establish a new future.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in this commemoration to remember the 
victims of this holocaust, pray for those who continue to suffer, and 
honor the truly inspirational spirit of the Armenian people. We must 
continue to stand side by side with the Republic of Armenia in her 
quest for democracy while ensuring that tragedies like the genocide 
never happen again.

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