[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 59 (Monday, April 26, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E662]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 95TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

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                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, April 26, 2010

  Mr. COSTELLO. Madam Speaker, yesterday I had the distinct pleasure of 
attending a memorial service at St. Gregory the Illuminator Church in 
Granite City, Illinois, to commemorate the 95th Anniversary of the 
Armenian Genocide. It was a very moving event and I want to thank the 
parishioners at St. Gregory's for their hospitality, friendship and 
tremendous contributions to our region. I stand with them in affirming 
that the Armenian Genocide was genocide, and I continue to support this 
formal recognition by the United States. I have again cosponsored 
legislation, H. Res. 252, that would take this step and I urge House 
leadership to bring it up for consideration this year.
  I fully understand the concern that this action brings with it. 
Despite the clear historical record, the general agreement among 
genocide scholars and the recognition of this event as genocide by 20 
other countries, we continue to be told that our relationship with 
Turkey will be irrevocably harmed by endorsing this position. I support 
and appreciate our relationship with Turkey, and am certain it will 
continue to prosper in the future. Moreover, I believe recognizing the 
Armenian Genocide will allow the delicate relationship between Armenia 
and Turkey to grow ultimately stronger. I do not advocate taking this 
action as a means of discrediting the Turkish people. It is simply 
recognition that this tragic event occurred, and it honors the fate of 
the 1.5 million Armenians who died as well as the great resiliency of 
the Armenian people. Our inaction on this matter lets no one move 
forward, and sends the message that we will ignore accepted truths for 
political purposes.
  Madam Speaker, there will never be a convenient time to officially 
recognize the Armenian Genocide. But there is never a wrong time to do 
the right thing. In this case, the truth will indeed set us free and 
allow us to grow deeper bonds with Turkey and Armenia, together, in the 
decades ahead. Let us not wait any longer.

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