[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today marks the 81st anniversary of the 
Armenian genocide. Between 1915 and 1923, the Ottoman Empire in Turkey 
subjected the Armenian people to a brutal campaign of genocide that 
resulted in the deaths of 1\1/2\ million people. Those who were not 
immediately killed died during the forced deportation of the Armenian 
population. One-third of the Armenian people died during these 8 tragic 
years.
  The crimes committed against the Armenians are among the worst 
atrocities in human history. Tragically, this cruel and massive 
slaughter was only the first of a succession of state-sponsored 
genocides carried out in this century. The recent mass graves uncovered 
in Bosnia remind us that the world has still not learned the lessons of 
the history of the Armenian, Jewish, and Cambodian people.
  I commend the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National 
Committee of America for their impressive continuing efforts to educate 
Americans about Armenian history and culture. The tireless work of 
these two effective organizations gives renewed hope and assurance that 
the extraordinary sacrifices of the Armenian people will never be 
forgotten, and that the remarkable continuing contributions of 
Armenians to this country and many other lands will always be 
remembered and honored.

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