[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Page S4087]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               81ST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

 Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr President, 81 years ago today one of the most 
horrific events of our century began. On this day in 1915, hundreds of 
Armenian political and religious leaders were arrested, taken to the 
Turkish interior, and executed. This began a terrible chapter of 
history--the Armenian genocide.
  In the 8 years that followed, over a million Armenians were killed at 
the hands of the Ottoman authorities. Men, women, and children were 
brutally taken from their homes to be abused and killed in mass 
slayings. Others were rounded-up and marched for weeks through the 
Syrian desert where many more perished. Symbols of culture--churches, 
libraries, and towns--were razed.
  On this, the 81st anniversary of the Armenian genocide, we must 
remember and we must speak out.
  Many call this tragedy ``the forgotten genocide''. In our world of 
terror and continued upheaval it is essential that we never forget. We 
must remember our history and the lesson of the Armenian genocide. As 
Americans blessed with security and freedom, we must never let 
oppression and persecution pass without loud condemnation. By 
remembering the Armenian genocide, we renew our ongoing commitment to 
fight for human dignity and freedom throughout the world.
  We must also honor the Armenians throughout the world who left their 
homes in tragedy. They have maintained their proud culture and 
traditions throughout the world. Their strength and perseverance is a 
triumph of the human spirit. We should specifically recognize those 
Armenians who fled from their homes and into our communities. Today we 
thank them for their invaluable contributions to our society.
  Even today, the Armenian people are living under a unfair and unjust 
blockade preventing needed humanitarian aid. Last year, the Congress 
enacted the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act that would prohibit U.S. aid 
to countries that prevent our humanitarian aid from reaching places in 
need. I was proud to support this act and see it signed into law.
  Despite a long history of pain, persecution, and tragedy, the 
Armenian people have shown remarkable strength, pride, and resilience. 
We as Americans are proud of their contributions to our society. We 
will always remember their tragedy and we salute their achievements. 


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