[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               82ND ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

  Mr. KENNEDY. Mr. President, today marks the 82nd anniversary of the 
beginning of one of the most tragic episodes in human history. 
Beginning in 1915, the Government of the Ottoman Turks waged a vicious 
campaign of genocide against the people of Armenia. One and a half 
million Armenians were killed in the following eight years. Over 
500,000 more Armenians were forced into exile from their homeland and 
compelled to seek havens in other lands.
  The extraordinary resiliency of the Armenian people can be seen by 
what they have accomplished in their new lands. Nations around the 
world have benefited from the spirit and perseverance of the Armenians. 
No nation has benefited more from the contributions of the Armenian 
Diaspora than the United States. My own state of Massachusetts is 
blessed with a large and vigorous community of Armenians who have 
played an important role in all aspects of public and private life in 
our state.
  I commend the tireless efforts of the Armenian Assembly of America 
and the Armenian National Committee for their outstanding work in 
informing Americans about the history and culture of Armenia and its 
people. In honoring Armenians throughout the world today, we also 
pledge to do all we can to banish genocide against any peoples anywhere 
from the face of the earth.

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