[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 27, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E663]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 27, 2004

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the Members of the House 
to join us in recognizing past instances of genocide and reaffirming 
our Nation's commitment to never again allow the perpetration of such 
atrocities anywhere on this earth. House Resolution 193 appropriately 
reaffirms America's obligation to international genocide conventions, 
and underscores the importance of recognizing past crimes against 
humanity, including the Holocaust and the Armenian, Cambodian, and 
Rwandan genocides.
  We all know that silence in the face of genocide only encourages 
those who would commit such atrocities in the future. Israel Charney, 
the noted genocide and Holocaust scholar, has written extensively about 
the psychology of genocide denial. He has explained to the world what 
we should all know from history: to deny genocide is to celebrate the 
mass murder and to endorse the doctrine of corrupt power that brought 
about the destruction in the first place. To erase agonizing memories 
of genocide only mocks the sensibilities of the victims and their 
descendents--in essence, once again, victimize the victims.
  For this reason, America must recognize the Turkish massacre and 
displacement of Armenians as an act of genocide. The House Judiciary 
Committee, upon its unanimous approval of the Genocide Resolution, 
described the Armenian Genocide in the following terms:

       Beginning in 1915, the Islamic Turkish state of the Ottoman 
     Empire sought to end the collective existence of the 
     Christian Armenian population. From 1915 through 1918, during 
     World War 1, the Ottoman Empire subjected the Armenian people 
     to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre, 
     and starvation. The atrocities were renewed between 1920 and 
     1923. It is estimated that one and a half million Armenians 
     were killed out of over two million Armenians who had lived 
     in the Ottoman Empire. It should be noted that these 
     activities ceased with the institution of the new Republic of 
     Turkey in October, 1923.

  U.S. recognition of the Armenian genocide is long past due. By 
failing to admit and recognize atrocities that clearly took place we 
undermine our Nation's credibility and commitment to combat genocide. 
On April 24, President Bush issued his annual message in remembrance of 
the victims of the Armenian Genocide--only he failed to use the word 
``genocide.'' In failing to refer to the Armenian Genocide accurately, 
he has turned his back on his own campaign pledge and on 190 Members of 
Congress who want the Armenian Genocide recognized.
  It is not enough to say ``never again.'' We must take concrete steps 
to give it meaning and to bolster our own resolve. Passing House 
Resolution 193 is a small but important step in this ongoing effort to 
thwart those who would commit genocide. It is the least we can do for 
the millions who have been killed in Turkey, Germany, Rwanda, and 
Cambodia. Understanding the lessons of these tragedies will help 
prevent future crimes against humanity.
  Mr. Speaker, I appreciate this opportunity to honor the victims of 
genocide, and to urge my colleagues to always remain cognizant of the 
pledge our Nation has made to prevent future acts of genocide.

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