[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4084-S4085]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN VICTIMS

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I join my colleagues again this 
year in remembering today the 1.5 million Armenians who died in 1915 in 
the hands of the Ottoman Empire. These Armenians were victims of a 
policy explicitly intended to isolate, exile, and even extinguish the 
Armenian population. As we look at world events today--in Bosnia, 
Rwanda, and elsewhere--we must remember the events of 1915, with the 
hope that with history as a guide, humanity will not engage in such 
brutality again.
  We will also learn from history that America served as a haven for 
those Armenians fleeing persecution. At the time of the atrocities, 
America spoke out in defense of a defenseless people, and provided 
massive amounts of humanitarian assistance to the Armenian people. 
Today, America still leads the world in championing human rights, and 
our shores offer refuge to those fleeing persecution throughout the 
world. On days like today, we must remember what we stand for, and 
ensure that the U.S. continues to be a beacon of strength and hope for 
the heroes that stand up and survive such atrocities.
  I compliment President Clinton on his commitment to the Armenian 
cause, and I am proud to join him and my colleagues today in 
commemorating this import ant occasion.
  Mr. BIDEN. Mr. President, the city of Washington, DC, is blessed this 
week with the presence of some of the most dedicated people in 
America--its teachers. Each state's Teacher of the Year is visiting 
Washington to be honored for their top notch work in educating our 
children.
  As a husband of a teacher, I know how some people view the teaching 
profession. I have heard all of the jokes. And, I have read the 
articles--including some recent ones--deriding the Nation's teaching 
force and claiming that teachers are the root of our educational 
problems.
  Well, Mr. President, the Teachers of the Year that are here this week 
should dispel those myths. These teachers are simply among the best and 
the brightest our Nation has to offer.
  For most of us, there was at least one teacher along the way who 
touched us, who motivated us, who inspired us. A teacher who was more 
than just a body at the blackboard. For students in the Indian River 
School District in my State of Delaware, one of those teachers is 
Darryl Hudson. He is Delaware's Teacher of the Year, and I want to 
congratulate him and take just few minutes to honor him.
  Mr. Hudson--named the top teacher among over 6,000 public school 
teachers

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in Delaware--teaches seventh grade science at Sussex Central Middle 
School in Millsboro, DE. And, although I have never experienced his 
teaching first hand, I think the biggest testament about what he does 
in the classroom comes from what his fellow teachers say about him. 
They talk admiringly of the energy he brings to school each day, of his 
dedication to educating all children, and of the uplifting inspiration 
he provides to staff, parents, and most importantly, the students.
  But, as is the case with many teachers, Mr. Hudson's involvement in 
and dedication to education go beyond the classroom. He is a 
cooperative teacher for Salisbury State University students, a member 
of the New Directions Educator Corps, and a Mentor for a Wilmington 
College student.
  I should also note that we in Delaware are proud that Mr. Hudson is a 
product of our own higher education system. In fact, he and I are both 
Fightin' Blue Hens. For my colleagues who do not know, that means we 
are both graduates of the University of Delaware. He received his 
masters degree from Wilmington College. And, at the same time he is 
teaching seventh graders--a daunting task in and of itself, in my 
view--he continues to pursue his own education at Salisbury State 
University just across the Delaware border in Maryland.
  Mr. President, a moment ago, I mentioned the way in which a teacher 
has inspired almost every one of us. And, to give you a perfect 
illustration of the power of a teacher to mold a mind and build a 
citizen, Mr. Hudson--a teacher--was himself inspired by a teacher. He 
says that his sixth grade teacher had more influence on him than anyone 
else outside his immediate family. And, now, he is having that same 
influence on countless others.
  Again, I want to congratulate Darryl Hudson on his selection as 
Delaware Teacher of the Year.

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