[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 55 (Thursday, April 25, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E638]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           EIGHTY-FIRST ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______


                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 24, 1996

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues today to 
commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Armenian genocide. In 1915, 
Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders were arrested 
and executed. The campaign of genocide began with this act and resulted 
in the deaths of over 1.5 million Armenians by 1923.
  April 24 is the symbolic day of remembrance for the Armenian 
community to join together and remember the horrible events of their 
ancestors. Residents of Armenian heritage in my congressional district 
believe remembering the past will prevent the world from forgetting.
  In addition, because some try to argue the Armenian genocide never 
occurred, calling attention to the tragedy is particularly worthwhile. 
Denial of genocide harms the victims and their survivors. That is one 
reason why I have joined a number of my colleagues in Congress in 
cosponsoring House Concurrent Resolution 47 to honor the memory of the 
victims of the Armenian genocide.
  I ask my colleagues to join me in remembering the tragedy of the 
Armenian genocide and in renewing our commitment to human rights. The 
Congress must stand firm in its resolve to oppose violence and 
repression against humanity.

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