[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 61 (Friday, April 24, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4717-S4718]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               94TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I wish to recognize the 94th Anniversary 
of the Armenian genocide.
  Ninety-four years ago today, the Ottoman Empire--now modern-day 
Turkey--began the systematic destruction of the Armenian people. 
Armenians were driven from their homes and villages, marched to their 
deaths in the deserts of the Middle East, and slaughtered in cold 
blood. Before it was over, approximately 1.5 million Armenians lost 
their lives in the first genocide of the 20th century.
  Recently, the Armenian and Turkish Governments announced important 
progress toward achieving the full normalization of relations between 
their two countries. I support this effort, and am hopeful that this 
process will lead the Turkish Government to finally acknowledge the 
irrefutable truth of the Armenian genocide and also to greater peace 
and prosperity for the people of Armenia.
  As President Barack Obama has said, ``The Armenian Genocide is not an 
allegation, a personal opinion, or a point of view, but rather a widely 
documented fact supported by an overwhelming body of historical 
evidence. The facts are undeniable.'' There is no need for further 
study or debate because we must never legitimize the views of those who 
deny the very worst of crimes against humanity.
  On this solemn anniversary, we remember those who were lost in the 
Armenian genocide, while honoring the survivors and their descendants 
who have done so much to make America and the world a better place. I 
am personally grateful that so many of those individuals have chosen to 
call California home.
  We also take pause to acknowledge that such crimes are continuing 
today. There is perhaps no more fitting example than the genocide that 
is raging in the Darfur region of Sudan.

[[Page S4718]]

  Since 2002, the Sudanese Government has attempted to exterminate the 
African Muslim population of Darfur with horrific acts of brutality. 
Villages have been burned to the ground, innocent women and children 
slaughtered by helicopter gunships, and rape has been used as a tool of 
genocide. What happened to the Armenians is genocide. What is happening 
today in Darfur is genocide, even though the Government of Sudan denies 
this.
  Genocide is only possible when people avert their eyes. Any effort to 
deal with genocide--in the past, present or future--must begin with the 
truth. By acknowledging the truth of the Armenian genocide, we can end 
the phony debates and strengthen our ability to stand up against mass 
killing today.
  Mr. REED. Mr. President, today I join with my colleagues, my fellow 
Rhode Islanders, and the Armenian-American community to observe the 
94th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
  Each year, on April 24, it is fitting that we pause to remember and 
reflect on one of the greatest tragedies of the 20th century, the 
systematic killing of Armenians. From 1915 through the end of 1923, 
nearly 1\1/2\ million Armenians were killed and over half a million 
survivors were exiled.
  The Armenian genocide demonstrated the evils humans are capable of, 
and unfortunately, it was only the first of several 20th century 
tragedies.
  As we reflect and recall this tragic time, let us call for our own 
country to recognize the Armenian genocide, just as my own State of 
Rhode Island has done, along with many other States and governments.
  Menk panav chenk mornar--We will never forget.

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