[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 59 (Thursday, April 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       RECOGNIZING THE 99TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

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                          HON. DANIEL LIPINSKI

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2014

  Mr. LIPINSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 99th 
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, also known as the Meds Yeghern or 
``Great Crime,'' to those of Armenian descent.
   In the wake of World War I, the Ottoman Empire launched a campaign 
of terror against Ottoman Armenians. From 1915 to 1923, forced 
deportations displaced 2 million Armenians. Unarmed men were separated 
from their families and were either forced into concentration camps or 
taken away to be executed. Innocent women and children were 
systematically stripped of their possessions and driven into what is 
now the Syrian Desert. During these ``Death Marches'' they were 
subjected to starvation, sickness, and abuse amid brutal conditions. In 
the end, nearly 1.5 million Armenians had lost their lives in what 
became the first genocide of the 20th century.
   Although these atrocities occurred almost a century ago, it is 
imperative to remember the suffering that was endured as a result of 
unrestrained human malice. To acknowledge this truth is necessary, not 
just out of respect for our fellow citizens of Armenian descent, but 
also in hope that we can prevent such heinous crimes from occurring in 
the future. Very few survivors of the genocide are alive today, which 
makes preserving the memory and history of this crime even more 
important.
   Today, I call on my colleagues to join me in somber remembrance of 
the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during this dark period of 
history, and to honor the strength and resolve of the Armenian 
community still working to deal with this tragedy.

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