[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 60 (Thursday, April 23, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E956]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               94TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

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                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 23, 2009

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 94th 
Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. It is morally imperative that we 
remember this atrocity and collectively demand reaffirmation of this 
crime against humanity.
  For thousands of years, the Armenian people have been known for their 
perseverance in the face of great challenges. Today we honor the 
victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide. We pay our respects to 
the Armenian people for their strength to overcome adversity.
  It is a somber day as we reflect on the victims of the Armenian 
Genocide, the continued denial by the Turkish government, and our own 
government's inaction in using the word genocide to describe these 
events.
  There is an absurdity about Turkey's inability to recognize its own 
past and something deeply disturbing about our government's complacency 
in this misrepresentation of history.
  The Armenian Genocide is the first genocide of the twentieth century. 
Between 1915 and 1923, 1.5 million Armenians were systematically and 
deliberately killed by the Ottoman Turks.
  Our own National Archives and writings from the U.S. Ambassador to 
the Ottoman Empire, Henry Morgenthau, display how the Ottoman 
government specifically decided to target the Armenians, move them 
towards what is the modern day Syrian Desert, and butcher men, women, 
and children.
  It is a disturbing history, but one that needs to be retold, 
remembered, and reaffirmed to ensure its legacy and rightfully honor 
its victims and survivors.
  We have stood by for too long as the Turkish government manipulates 
the issue of the Armenian Genocide. We have watched them pay millions 
of dollars to Turkish lobbyists to mislead and even threaten members of 
Congress. We have watched the Turkish government bring scholars and 
writers to court for insulting Turkishness just for writing the words 
Armenian Genocide. And two years ago we watched in profound disbelief 
when Hrant Dink was assassinated in Istanbul.
  It is enough.
  Armenian Genocide Recognition is not only important for Armenians, it 
is important for us as Americans. If we are going to live up to the 
standards we set for ourselves and continue to lead the world in 
affirming human rights everywhere, we need to stand up and recognize 
the Armenian Genocide.
  To not do so sends a message that we are complicit in Turkey's 
denial. By not affirming the Armenian Genocide, we fail as Americans to 
take a stand against all genocides and we fail to end genocide denial.
  We can reverse this path and officially speak the truth. We as 
Americans and as an entire international community must recognize the 
Armenian Genocide so that we can renew our commitment to prevent such 
atrocities from occurring again.
  I am hopeful that the U.S. Government can stand behind our statements 
and our promises.

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