[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E725-E726]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         IN RECOGNITION OF THE WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL HATCHETS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRAD ELLSWORTH

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. ELLSWORTH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Coach Gene 
Miller and the Washington High School Hatchets on their 2008 3A 
Division Indiana State Basketball Championship. The title is their 
fifth State title in school history and was a fitting conclusion to an 
outstanding season.
  The Hatchets defeated the Fort Wayne Harding High School Hawks in the 
championship game by a score of 84-60, capping off an impressive 23-2 
season.
  Their victory is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication 
and sacrifice. The team and coaching staff have demonstrated 
outstanding talent and an unwavering commitment to achieving their 
goals.
  The Washington Hatchets are shining examples of the idea that success 
in life comes to those who are willing to set goals and work hard to 
achieve them. They are an inspiration to me and everyone in the 
Washington, Indiana community who have followed their progress this 
season.
  Go Hatchets!

[[Page E726]]

               THE COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. EDWARD J. MARKEY

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. MARKEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 93rd 
anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
  In September of 1919, President Woodrow Wilson spoke of his vision of 
a future Armenia. He said, ``Armenia is to be redeemed . . . So that at 
last this great people, struggling through night after night of terror, 
knowing not when they may come out into a time when they can enjoy 
their rights as free people that they never dreamed they would be able 
to exercise.''
  The Armenian people finally have the ability to enjoy the rights that 
President Wilson hoped they would have so many years ago, and for that 
we are all thankful.
  The nights of terror that President Wilson spoke about, the Armenian 
genocide, was the first genocide of the 20th century. It was the 
opening chapter of what was arguably the most violent period of human 
history. In the decades following this initial genocide, the world 
witnessed genocidal acts against the Jews and against the Roma in World 
War II, and subsequently in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and 
in too many wars to list here. Today, the world is witnessing genocide 
yet again in Darfur.
  There is no more important way to commit ourselves to preventing the 
genocides of the future than to commemorate and never forget the 
genocides of the past. As such, I would like to note my continuing 
support for House finally passage of H. Res. 106, the Affirmation of 
the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution. In my 
view, it is long past time for the United States to officially 
recognize the massacre of one and a half million Armenians in early in 
the 20th century for what it undeniably was: a genocide.
  Countries all around the world have adopted similar resolutions to 
ensure that the atrocities committed against the Armenian people are 
properly recognized as genocide. Canada, France, Switzerland, Greece, 
and Poland have passed resolutions affirming the recognition of the 
Armenian genocide. Properly recognizing the Armenian genocide here in 
America is essential to ensure that all past genocides are never 
forgotten and all future atrocities are never permitted. This House 
must afford the proper recognition to the Armenian genocide. We must do 
so not only because of our solemn obligation to recognize those that 
were lost, but also because of our duty to those that can still be 
saved.

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