[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 66 (Thursday, April 24, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E728]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE SURVIVORS OF THE 93RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN 
                                GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GARY L. ACKERMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. ACKERMAN, Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 
survivors of the Armenian genocide. Today marks the 93rd anniversary of 
the Armenian genocide which began in 1915 and lasted until 1923. Over 
the course of 8 years 1.5 million Armenians in the Ottoman Empire were 
murdered and over 500,000 were forced into exile. On this day we should 
take a moment to think of the survivors and commend them for the 
bravery they continue to show in the face of the memories they carry of 
that awful time.
  We are told to never to forget the egregious acts that human beings 
commit against other human beings, especially when they come in the 
form of a calculated mass extermination of a single people. In 
remembering the Armenian genocide it is important to keep in mind that 
we are not pointing fingers at Turkey. Modern day Turkey is no more the 
Ottoman Empire than today's Germany is the Third Reich. But we must not 
banish the truth from the world stage. What was done to the Armenian 
people was atrocious, nothing less than a crime against humanity. As 
such, it is our responsibility to accurately describe what happened 
between 1915 and 1923 and admit that what was done to the Armenian 
people was genocide.
  As each year passes the number of survivors of the Armenian genocide 
diminishes further. And while there is nothing that can be done to 
alter the past, we can and should ensure that generations to come know 
how the Armenian people suffered at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. It 
is also important that this day be marked to commemorate the survivors 
of the Armenian genocide so that their fight for survival is honored 
and revered rather than forgotten and ignored.
  Madam Speaker, I ask that all of my colleagues to join me in 
commemorating the survivors of the Armenian genocide on its 93rd 
anniversary.

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