[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 60 (Wednesday, April 25, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E648-E649]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 97TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JERRY F. COSTELLO

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 25, 2012

  Mr. COSTELLO. Mr. Speaker, I stand to commemorate the Armenian 
Genocide on the 97th anniversary of its occurrence. It is unfortunate, 
however, that once again I do so without an official recognition on 
behalf of the American government.
  As I have said in years past, the undeniable genocidal actions by the 
Ottoman Empire against its Armenian citizens deserve official 
recognition from the American government. 1.5 million Armenians were 
killed, the first genocide of the 20th century. As a member of the 
House Armenian Issues Caucus, I have cosponsored legislation to affirm 
the U.S. position on Armenian Genocide and will continue to urge my 
colleagues in Congress and the Obama administration to support this 
position.
  As we mourn the lives of those lost, it is important to recognize the 
resilience and incredible strides the Armenian people have made in 
recovering from that unspeakable past. I stand in solidarity with the 
Armenian people and renew my commitment to pursuing a future of 
reconciliation and peace.

[[Page E649]]

  As a nation we must lead by honoring the memory of those that 
perished so the Armenian people and the international community can 
move forward toward a brighter tomorrow. The U.S. has officially 
recognized other such tragic events and 21 other countries have 
recognized the Armenian Genocide. I call on my colleagues in Congress 
and the Obama administration to join me in recognizing the 97th 
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and urge enactment of H. Res. 304.

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