[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 47 (Friday, April 24, 1998)]
[Senate]
[Page S3596]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

 Mr. D'AMATO. Mr. President, April 24th is the day we remember 
the horrors inflicted upon the Armenians in Turkey during World War I 
and afterward. Today, we express our solidarity with Armenians 
everywhere, and reflect upon the meaning of their suffering and 
sacrifice. We mourn the dead, and express our condolences to their 
living descendants. During that terrible tragedy, about 1.5 million 
people were killed.
  The massacres and deportations of the Armenians during that period 
were a forerunner of subsequent horrors perpetrated against other 
peoples. The Armenians were the first victims of genocide in this 
century, when civilian populations, defined by ethnicity, race or 
religion, have been targeted by soldiers or paramilitary groups, and in 
some cases, by sovereign states using all their instruments of military 
power to destroy a people.
  We mark this day so as never to forget what happened, and to 
strengthen our conviction to prevent any recurrences in the future. Not 
only against Armenians, but against any people.
  During and after World War I, Armenians did not have a state of their 
own. Today, independent Armenia defends Armenians everywhere, and they, 
in turn, protect the interests of their ancient homeland. Armenia is a 
country of great promise, despite its many troubles. We fervently hope 
that the efforts of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in 
Europe's Minsk Group will be successful and the Nagorno-Karabakh 
conflict will be resolved peacefully. We pray that we may see a 
prosperous Armenia living in peace with all its neighbors, continuing 
to teach the world lessons, as a light unto the nations.

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