[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 23, 1997

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, as we approach a new millennium we cannot 
forget the launching of the April 24, 1915 pogrom of some 200 Armenian 
religious, political and intellectual leaders from Constantinople 
[Istanbul]. For 8 years, 1.5 million Armenians suffered grave 
repudiation by the government of the ``Young Turk Committee.'' This 
unfortunate history must be memorialized and remembered such that the 
world can understand that this tragedy represents the first example of 
genocide in the 20th century. This observation is not made lightly; but 
the facts about the destruction of the Armenian people cannot be 
ignored.
  As Armenians and people of conscience throughout the world 
commemorate April 24, we must accurately depict history to ensure that 
it is never repeated. Continuing to deny the truth about an important 
part of world history creates the view that it was just an 
``unfortunate incident'' and nothing else. This inaccuracy can be 
nothing further from the truth and allows for similar atrocities to 
occur.
  Mr. Chairman, on this day I urge all of my colleagues to remember the 
horrible events that occurred in the early part of this century. May 
they never be repeated again.

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