[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 59 (Wednesday, April 22, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E939]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   COMMEMORATION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 22, 2009

  Mr. WAXMAN. Madam Speaker, today marks the 94th Anniversary of the 
beginning of the Armenian genocide. This devastating event is a 
reminder that we cannot allow for such atrocities to happen again. It 
is unacceptable to witness thousands of innocent victims suffer and die 
without taking any action.
  Ninety-four years ago, the Ottoman Turks began their attempts to 
exterminate the Armenian people. From 1915 until 1923, 1.5 million 
Armenians were tortured and killed. Men were separated from their 
families and murdered; women and children were forced to march across 
the Syrian desert without water, food, or possessions; many died of 
hunger or thirst or were killed when they lagged behind during the 
forced marches into the desert.
  These acts of intolerance cannot be termed anything but genocide. We 
must honor and recognize those who survived but also remember those who 
perished. Acknowledging the commemoration of the Armenian genocide, is 
an important to tribute to the Armenian people, especially the 
American-Armenian community.

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