[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E722]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  STATEMENT ON THE 93RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE BEGINNING OF THE ARMENIAN 
                                GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of the 
victims of the Armenian genocide.
  On April 24, 1915, over 200 Armenian religious, political, and 
intellectual leaders were murdered in Constantinople by the government 
of the Ottoman Empire. This event marked the beginning of a systematic 
mass murder of 1.5 million Armenian people and the displacement of 
nearly 500,000 refugees. Today marks the 93rd anniversary of the 
beginning of an 8 year siege against the property, dignity and lives of 
the Armenian people.
  We are here today to fully recognize the impact of this event. More 
than a dozen other countries including France, Canada, Austria, Sweden, 
and Greece have acknowledged genocide and passed resolutions similar to 
H. Res. 106, commemorating those who lost their lives in Armenia 
between 1915 and 1923. Yet, despite the great suffering of the Armenian 
people, they have overcome adversity and continue to preserve their 
culture, traditions, religion and history. The United States and 
Armenia have had a strong, long-lasting relationship, including U.S. 
humanitarian and technical assistance to Armenia totaling nearly $2 
billion to date. With the recent election of President Serge Sargsian, 
Armenia continues to demonstrate a maturing democracy. Armenian-
American citizens have contributed to our society in countless ways and 
the memory of their ancestors deserves to be honored. Acknowledging the 
1915-1923 genocide as a tragic piece of Armenian history is a stepping 
stone in preventing future atrocities from taking place around the 
globe.
  Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join the in paying tribute 
today to those who lost their lives in this horrible event against the 
Armenian people and honoring the survivors who continue to commemorate 
the memory of their lost family and friends.

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