[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 59 (Tuesday, April 24, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E633]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 97TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, April 24, 2012

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to join my colleagues in 
commemorating the 97th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
  Ninety-seven years ago, the government of the Ottoman Empire started 
a ruthless and systematic campaign of genocide against the Armenian 
people. Beginning with the targeted execution of 300 Armenian leaders, 
this intentional attempt at extermination ultimately claimed the lives 
of over 1.5 million people and forcibly exiled another 500,000.
  And despite these chilling numbers and a clear historical record of 
fact, there remains a failure to acknowledge this vast human tragedy 
for what it truly is: genocide. That is why it is essential that we 
continue to speak out and solemnly commemorate the Armenian Genocide. 
Accordingly, I am proud to support a resolution this session of 
Congress that affirms the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide and 
honors its victims and survivors.
  By acknowledging this dark chapter of human history, we help protect 
against the possible creation of a violent culture of impunity. We 
cannot allow past acts of evil to be erased from our collective 
consciousness if we are to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in 
the future.
  In closing, I encourage all my colleagues to take time today to 
remember and honor the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

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