[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E725]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. TIMOTHY WALBERG

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. WALBERG. Madam Speaker, today we observe the anniversary of the 
Armenian genocide, a tragic persecution of Armenians that was both a 
systematic and intentional ethnic cleansing.
  Before this tragedy, Armenians had only limited freedom living under 
the rule of the Ottoman Empire. Armenians did not have the liberties 
that Americans consider to be self-evident. In particular, they were 
limited in public practice of their Christian faith. Because the 
international community paid little attention, the conditions of 
Armenians deteriorated throughout the 1800s.
  In the late 1800s, the situation became worse. Ottomans began to 
provoke, exploit, and murder many Armenians. Europe and North America 
took notice, but were weary of the economic and political consequences 
of intervening.
  On this day in 1915, hundreds of influential and important Armenians 
were taken from their homes, imprisoned, and stripped of their 
remaining freedoms. The Ottoman military marched crowds of Armenians to 
be deported or exterminated. Hundreds of thousands Armenians were 
victims of this massacre, and an exact number of casualties is still 
unknown.
  The systematic, state-sponsored extermination of these good, decent 
people demonstrates the need for protection of individual liberties and 
from injustice.
  Years later, Adolf Hitler referenced the Armenian genocide, ``the 
physical destruction of the enemy,'' as an example of the rest of the 
world forgetting or ignoring. My hope is that we can recognize these 
stains from the past and learn an important lesson from history. We 
must never forget about those in other lands who do not enjoy the 
freedoms found in America. We must not forget to stand for what is 
right and stand beside widows, orphans, and our fellow brothers.
  Madam Speaker, today we honor the lives lost during the Armenian 
genocide and in their memory pledge to protect liberty and freedom by 
preventing similar injustices in the future.

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