[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E735]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       COMMEMORATING THE 82D ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SUE W. KELLY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 1997

  Mrs. KELLY. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to stand and join with my 
colleagues in commemorating the 82d anniversary of the Armenian 
genocide. I would like to thank the other members of the Congressional 
Caucus on Armenian Issues, and particularly the cochairmen Mr. Porter 
and Mr. Pallone, for their tireless efforts in organizing this fitting 
tribute.
  On April 24, 1915, 82 years ago today, the nightmare in Armenia 
began. Hundreds of Armenian religious, political, and educational 
leaders were arrested, exiled, or murdered. These events marked the 
beginning of the systematic persecution of the Armenian people by the 
Ottoman Empire, and also launched the first genocide of the 20th 
century. Over the next 8 years, 1.5 million Armenians were put to death 
and 500,000 more were exiled from their homes. These atrocities are 
among the most cruel and inhumane acts that have ever been recorded.
  As we reflect today on the horrors that were initiated 82 years ago, 
I cannot help but be disturbed by those who wish to deny that these 
deeds occurred. Despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary--
eyewitness accounts, official archives, photographic evidence, 
diplomatic reports, and testimony of survivors--they reject the claim 
that genocide, or any other crime for that matter, was perpetrated 
against Armenians. Well, history tells a different story.
  Let me read a quote from Henry Morgenthau, Sr., U.S. Ambassador to 
the Ottoman Empire at the time: ``When the Turkish authorities gave the 
orders for these deportations, they were merely giving the death 
warrant to a whole race; they understood this well, and, in their 
conversations with me, they made no particular attempt to conceal the 
fact * * *''
  The world knows the truth about this tragic episode in human affairs. 
We will not allow those who wish to rewrite history to absolve 
themselves from responsibility for their actions. This evening's event 
here in the House of Representatives is testament to that fact. I would 
like to once again thank the organizers of this event and I would like 
to once again reaffirm my sincere thanks for being given the 
opportunity to participate in this solemn remembrance.

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