[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 11, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E348]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE SUMGAIT POGROMS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. JIM COSTA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 11, 2014

  Mr. COSTA. Mr. Speaker, today I rise as I do every year in 
recognition of the anniversary of the pogroms aqainst the people of 
Armenian descent in Sumgait, Azerbaijan. On February 27, 1988, anti-
Armenian forces began killing Armenians and driving them from their 
homes. Scores of Armenians were killed, hundreds were wounded, and 
thousands were left as refugees without their homes or livelihoods. The 
violence went on for three days as Armenian women and girls were 
viciously raped.
  Days before this massacre, the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh began 
peacefully protesting against the Soviet Azerbaijani oppression and 
discrimination. From this peaceful protest and the fires of the pogroms 
arose the spark that started the democracy movement that ultimately 
brought down the Soviet Empire.
  Sadly, anti-Armenian rhetoric and cross-border attacks continue at 
the hands of the Azerbaijani government. Azerbaijan has consistently 
obstructed the peace process, walked away from its own agreements, and 
continued to threaten war. This is unacceptable, and the violence and 
harmful words must come to an end.
  Today, I ask my colleagues to stand with me in remembrance of the 
Sumgait pogroms, in support of a true and lasting peace in the region, 
and in recognition of the contributions of Armenian Americans to the 
San Joaquin Valley I call home and the entire Nation.

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