[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 29 (Tuesday, March 1, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E387]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         RECOGNIZING THE 23RD ANNIVERSARY OF SUMGAIT MASSACRES

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JACKIE SPEIER-

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 1, 2011

  Ms. SPEIER. Mr. Speaker, I rise to acknowledge the 23rd anniversary 
of the vicious attacks against Armenians in Sumgait, Azerbaijan.
  Dozens of Armenians were killed. Hundreds were injured. Women, 
including young girls, were raped.
  Apartments were robbed, cars were burned, and local businesses were 
destroyed.
  According to testimony reviewed by the Supreme Court of the USSR: 
``Tenants were dragged from their apartments. If they tried to run and 
escape, the mob attacked them. The mob used metal rods, knives and 
hatchets, after which bodies were thrown into the fire.''
  But shockingly most of the Azeris who committed these horrific acts 
and their accomplices in government were not brought to justice.
  The Sumgait Massacres are part of a long and disgraceful history of 
violence against the Armenian people.
  It is long past time for the United States to officially recognize 
the Armenian genocide. This anniversary should serve as a reminder that 
we can stay silent no more.
  Let's take this moment to remember all those who lost their lives at 
Sumgait and pledge to prevent ethnic cleansing from occurring anywhere 
in the future.

                          ____________________