[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 63 (Tuesday, May 7, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E604]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. LINDA T. SANCHEZ

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Tuesday, May 7, 2013

  Ms. LINDA T. SANCHEZ of California. Mr. Speaker, 98 years ago, the 
world suffered its first deliberate act of systematic mass murder of 
people of one culture by another. With this, the unspeakable horror of 
genocide was born.
  The massacre and mistreatment of one and-a-half million Armenians in 
the final years of the Ottoman Empire shows the incredible depths of 
inhumanity that the human race can sink.
  Out of this wretched episode of history, we, as human beings, have 
made a determined effort to move beyond hatred and to prevent similar 
tragedies from happening in the future.
  We are morally obligated to learn from the lapses of the human soul 
that caused the Armenian Genocide. We are morally obligated to make 
sure that we do all that we can to protect all oppressed, vulnerable, 
and subjugated peoples.
  I want to express my sympathy to the survivors and descendants of the 
Armenian Genocide. I hope we can all take time to reflect on this 
solemn day of remembrance.
  As we commemorate this somber anniversary, it's also important that 
we recognize the resiliency of the Armenian people. Armenia has been a 
great champion of freedom and democracy. I expect our two nations will 
continue to build strong commercial ties and support peace and 
stability in the region.
  I am proud to consistently co-sponsor resolutions affirming the U.S. 
record on the Armenian Genocide. Our policy should appropriately 
reflect understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to the 
Armenian Genocide. This should be documented in the United States 
record.

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