[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 53 (Tuesday, April 29, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E784]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




[[Page E784]]



                         THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 29, 1997

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 82d 
anniversary of the Armenian genocide. On April 24, 1915, the people of 
Armenia were subjected to long-term, organized deprivation and 
relocation. Eighty-two years later, we mark this date to remember the 
beginning of this systematic elimination of Armenian civilians, which 
lasted for over 7 years. By 1923, 1.5 million Armenians had been 
massacred and 500,000 more deported.
  Many Armenian-Americans reside in my congressional district, and each 
year they mark this date with solemn commemoration. It is a day to 
reflect on the loss of property, freedom and dignity of those Armenians 
who were deported or killed under the Ottoman empire. We honor their 
memory and vow that such deprivation will never happen again.
  Mr. Speaker, we also mark this date to celebrate the contributions of 
millions of Armenians and the Armenian-Americans since that awful time. 
As we continue to strengthen our bonds with the Armenian people, we 
must continue to be vigilant about remaining a strong friend of 
Armenian democracy through United States foreign policy. The Clinton 
administration's recent decision to waive the Humanitarian Aid Corridor 
Act does not bode well for long-term stabilization in this region. It 
is important for those of us in the Congress to continue to speak out 
in favor of Armenian human rights and free trade.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in commemorating this solemn 
anniversary.

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