[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E653]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JOE BACA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2004

  Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the genocide of 
Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.
  Starting in 1915, the Ottoman Empire tortured and murdered up to one 
and a half million Armenians. More than half a million were forced to 
leave and went into exile.
  The Armenians settled across the world lending energy and strength to 
their adoptive communities.
  It is important to recognize the historical atrocities perpetrated 
against the Armenians. We must teach our children about the fear, 
torture, mass graves, and expulsions of the Armenian people.
  Through education and commemoration, our children can grow up to be 
better citizens and better Americans.
  By recognizing genocide for what it is, the world can wake up to the 
obscene nature that sometimes grips nations and work to prevent the 
mass killing that devastated the Armenian people.
  With this year's commemoration of the Armenian genocide, I urge all 
Americans to be vigilant and watchful. We must prevent hatred and 
bigotry. We must do all we can to prevent genocide. By commemorating 
the past, we can make the future a better place to live.

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