[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 56 (Friday, April 15, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H2861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

  (Mr. COSTA asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, I too rise to thank Father Coughlin, Father 
Dan, for his spiritual sustenance and guidance that he has given all 
the Members of the House during his service to our country.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to be here today to commemorate the 96th 
anniversary of the start of the Armenian genocide, which was the first 
genocide in the 20th century and, sadly, the template for a cycle of 
genocide that continues to this day around the world.
  Next week, in Fresno and around the country, there will be thousands 
of Armenian Americans, many who are sons and daughters and 
grandchildren of the survivors of the Armenian genocide. As a young 
man, I grew up listening to my friends the Kezirians, the Kolligians, 
the Bakers, the Abrahams, the Karabians and the Kashians, and many 
others who told the story of their parents and grandparents.
  We are quickly approaching the 100th anniversary of the start of the 
Armenian genocide. I am hopeful we don't have to wait until then to 
bring justice to the Armenian nation and our friends and neighbors who 
sadly recognize that event.
  There is never a right time to recognize genocide. More than 90 years 
have passed since the start of these events, and we cannot wait for a 
convenient moment to recognize this truly catastrophic historical 
event. I will continue to stand for us to properly recognize this 
tragic event.

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