[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 46 (Tuesday, April 25, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


 PAYING TRIBUTE TO THE ARMENIAN-AMERICAN CULTURAL SOCIETY OF LAS VEGAS

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                           HON. JON C. PORTER

                               of nevada

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 25, 2006

  Mr. PORTER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Armenian-American 
Cultural Society of Las Vegas on this, the 91st anniversary of the 
Armenian Genocide. This organization was established in 1978, and since 
that time has grown in size and influence. They are now the largest 
non-political, non-denominational organization in Nevada. They have 
worked tirelessly to educate the general public about the atrocious 
acts committed against their people and also to help preserve the 
Armenian culture here in Las Vegas and America.
  I am proud to represent a large and vibrant Armenian community in the 
Third Congressional District of Nevada and I consider it an honor to 
have been invited to participate in the ceremonies commemorating the 
91st anniversary of the Armenian genocide. These ceremonies offer 
participants an opportunity to honor the survivors and their 
descendants, and to remind the world of the tragedy that befell 
Armenians of the Ottoman Empire.
  It is estimated that one and a half million Armenians perished 
between 1915 and 1923 in a genocide planned and executed by the Turkish 
government against the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire. The 
great bulk of the Armenian population was removed from Armenia and 
Anatolia to Syria, where the vast majority was sent into the desert to 
die of thirst and hunger. Large numbers of Armenians were methodically 
massacred throughout the Ottoman Empire. The entire wealth of the 
Armenian people was expropriated. After only a little more than a year 
of calm at the end of WWI, the atrocities were renewed between 1920 and 
1923, and the remaining Armenians were subjected to further massacres 
and expulsions.
  While there are still many who deny that the Armenian Genocide ever 
took place, I am pleased to see more and more countries and states and 
even the media are now in the process of recognizing the genocide. It 
is critical that we reflect on this human tragedy and on the lessons of 
history and work to avoid the horrors faced by the Armenian people in 
1915.

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