[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 49 (Tuesday, April 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E687]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 1998

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to commemorate the 83rd 
Anniversary of the Armenian genocide. On April 24, 1915, more than two 
hundred Armenian religious, political, and intellectual leaders were 
arrested and killed. From 1915 to 1923, 1\1/2\ million people lost 
their lives in the slaughter. Another half million lost their homes and 
property, and watched as the symbols of their religion and culture were 
destroyed.
  Regrettably, the world's inaction in the face of these atrocities 
sent a message that human rights violations would be tolerated. Hitler 
and other leaders saw nothing to deter them from waging genocide 
campaigns against other groups. Today we are still fighting the same 
kind of hatred in Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, and other parts of 
the world.
  The Armenians who survived have maintained thriving cultures in the 
Middle East and built vibrant communities in the United States and 
around the world. We in Congress join them in honoring the memory of 
those who perished in the killings, and we use this opportunity to 
renew and strengthen our commitment to protect human rights around the 
world.

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