[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 50 (Thursday, April 24, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S3696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN VICTIMS

 Mr. FEINGOLD. Mr. President, I rise today to commemorate the 
82d anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Today we remember the 
Armenians who died during the years 1915 to 1923 at the hands of the 
Ottoman Empire.
  From 1915 to 1923, the Ottoman Turkish government systematically 
murdered 1.5 million Armenians and drove half a million into exile. On 
the eve of the first World War, 2.5 million Armenians lived in the 
Ottoman Empire. Following the brutal Ottoman Turkish campaign, less 
than 100,000 remained. These Armenians were victims of a policy 
explicitly intended to isolate, exile, and even extinguish the Armenian 
population.
  As we look at world events today--in Bosnia, in Rwanda, and 
elsewhere--we see a repetition of what happened in Armenia. In 
commemorating this day, we remember those who died, and condemn 
violations of human rights at anytime in the past or the future. We all 
know that, in the context of world politics, human rights violations 
are far too common and the response to those violations is often tame 
at best.
  As we meet here today, it is likely that somewhere, a political 
prisoner is being beaten by the police or armed forces, or by some 
paramilitary group whose members might include police officers or 
soldiers. It is likely that a union organizer is being detained or 
harassed by authorities, that a woman is being raped by government 
thugs, that a newspaper is being shut down, or that a prisoner has 
``disappeared.'' It is equally likely that the people responsible for 
such outrages will never be held accountable.
  As Americans we must keep a vigilant watch on our world so that the 
horrors that occurred in Armenia 82 years ago might not be repeated 
again, and again, and again. History means nothing if we do not learn 
from it. On a day like today, we must remember what we stand for, and 
ensure that the U.S. continues to be a beacon of strength and hope for 
the heroes that stand up and survive such atrocities. These deaths 
should not be in vain.
  I am proud to commemorate this important occasion today.

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