[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 50 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[House]
[Page H1304]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  COMMEMORATING THE 36TH ANNIVERSARY OF GAS ATTACKS ON HALABJA-IRAQI 
                               KURDISTAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Nebraska (Mr. Bacon) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BACON. Mr. Speaker, 36 years ago this week, Saddam Hussein 
unleashed a nightmare upon the peaceful Kurdish town of Halabja, 
forever etching it into the annals of crimes against humanity. The 
atrocity perpetrated against the genocidal Anfal campaign stands as a 
stark reminder of the depths of cruelty that humanity is capable of.
  The horrors inflicted upon the people of Halabja on that fateful day, 
as they were mercilessly attacked with mustard gas and nerve agents, 
resulted in the instantaneous loss of thousands of innocent lives.
  Yet, the true extent of the devastation did not end there. For many 
survivors, the aftermath of the chemical onslaught continues to plague 
them, manifesting in debilitating health conditions, staggering rates 
of cancer, and haunting birth defects. The scars of Halabja run deep, 
both physically and emotionally, reverberating through the generations 
as a painful testament to the brutality of war.
  But Halabja was not an isolated incident. It was but one chapter in 
the harrowing saga of the Anfal campaign. Over the course of 2 years, 
more than 180,000 civilians perished, their villages razed to the 
ground, and their way of life shattered beyond recognition.
  The landscape of Kurdistan bears the indelible scars of this campaign 
of terror, a stark reminder of the price paid for silence in the face 
of evil.
  As we gather today 36 years later to commemorate the victims of 
Halabja and the Anfal campaign, we must do more than mourn the loss. We 
must condemn unequivocally the genocide that was perpetrated against 
the Kurds and reaffirm our commitment to upholding the sanctity of 
human life.
  Let us pledge to never again allow such horrors to unfold unchecked, 
to stand as guardians of peace and justice in a world too often marred 
by violence and indifference.
  In honoring the memory of those who perished in Halabja, let us also 
honor the resilience of the survivors, whose spirit remains unbroken 
despite the unimaginable sufferings they have endured. May their 
courage inspire us to redouble our efforts in the pursuit of a future 
where atrocities like those committed in Halabja are but distant 
memories, never to be repeated again.

  Mr. Speaker, I will also take a moment to thank our Kurd allies for 
their friendship and their partnership in the fight against ISIS, al-
Qaida in Iraq and Shia militias in Iraq. I deployed four times, and the 
Kurds were our great allies, and I always will remain grateful.
  Finally, today is March 21, the Kurdish New Year. The rich cultural 
heritage, resilience, and determination of the Kurdish people continue 
to inspire us all. I wish to congratulate the Kurds around the world a 
happy new year. May this new year bring you abundant blessings, renewed 
hope, and countless opportunities for growth and success. ``Happy New 
Year,'' in Kurdish, ``Newroz Piroz Bit.''

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