[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 15, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E503-E504]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    RECOGNIZING THE 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF CAMBODIAN DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE QUIGLEY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 15, 2015

  Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Speaker, as this April marks the 40th anniversary of 
the brutal Khmer Rouge regime's rise to power in Cambodia, I join 
Cambodian Americans to commemorate this tragedy in the community's 
past. As we solemnly recognize this moment for many we can also look at 
the hopeful future that lies ahead for the Cambodian American 
community.
  The Khmer Rouge regime seized power in Cambodia four decades ago on 
April 17, 1975 and began a four year long reign of terror and 
systematic genocide. Upwards of 3.4 million innocent men, women, and 
children lost their lives at mass grave sites now known as the Killing 
Fields. Thousands of refugees escaped these atrocities and were given 
sanctuary in the United States; many came to the state of Illinois.
  Thanks to the Cambodian Association of Illinois and our strong 
Cambodian-American community here in the United States, we are aware of 
the Cambodian genocide and its devastating effects. Organizations such 
as the Cambodian American Heritage Museum and the Killing Field 
Memorial carry out the vital mission of ensuring that we do not forget 
the atrocities of this period. The Cambodian community is committed to 
remembering and paying tribute to those lost in the Killing Fields 
while enhancing the public's awareness of these atrocities and healing 
the survivors and their families.
  As Illinois and other states recognize April 17th as the Cambodian 
Day of Remembrance, I rise today to join my Cambodian American friends 
to commemorate the atrocities of the Killing Fields and to provide 
comfort and hope to the victims' families. Let us take this moment to 
recognize that group-targeted violence and bigotry still exist in 
nations across the world, and we cannot ignore its presence.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in solidarity with the 
Cambodian-American community in remembering those who were lost to the 
Khmer Rouge regime and in recognizing our hope for a more peaceful 
future.

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