[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 59 (Thursday, April 10, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E578-E579]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               99TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. SANDER M. LEVIN

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 10, 2014

  Mr. LEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 99th 
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
  The 9th Congressional District of Michigan, which I represent, is 
home to a vibrant Armenian-American community. Every member of this 
community has been tragically affected by the Armenian Genocide, 
despite the distance of time. I am proud to call them my friends. And I 
am proud to stand with them today.
  This time every year, we pause in solemn remembrance and honor the 
victims who perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire 99 years ago. 
The Armenian Genocide, an intentional and systematic campaign of mass 
murder, began with the deliberate targeting of 300 Armenian leaders and 
culminated in one and half million dead and 500,000 forcibly exiled 
from their homes.
  And while the primary purpose of Armenian Remembrance Day is to 
remember, it also serves another important purpose. Indeed, the act of 
remembering, the commitment to never forget, sends a clear message to 
the world that we cannot abide a culture of impunity. That we will not 
gloss over historical atrocities.

[[Page E579]]

That we must not fail to hold to account those responsible for gross 
human rights violations. If we fail to remember horrific acts like the 
Armenian Genocide, we doom ourselves to repeat the most tragic chapters 
of history.
  Accordingly, during my time in Congress, I have cosponsored House 
resolutions that have clearly stated the U.S. record regarding the true 
nature of the Armenian Genocide--an officially orchestrated ethnic 
execution of innocent men, women and children.
  In closing, I respectfully request that all my colleagues join me 
today in honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide.

                          ____________________