[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[Senate]
[Page 7594]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                           ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

  Mr. CHAFEE. Mr. President, yesterday marked the 90th anniversary of 
the beginning of the Armenian Genocide. A date of great significance 
for many Rhode Islanders, and growing in significance for all 
Americans, this day not only commemorates the atrocities of the past, 
but also reminds us that it must not happen again. Remembering the 
victims is our duty to the past and to the future.
  The term ``genocide'' did not even exist when these atrocities 
occurred from 1915 to 1923, yet the numbers are staggering. Over 1.5 
million people perished. Over 500,000 people were forcibly removed from 
their homes and their homeland. Armenian religious, political, and 
intellectual leaders were killed. Men were removed from their families 
and women and children were left vulnerable to deportation, kidnapping, 
and starvation, and 132,000 Armenian orphans became foster children in 
American families.
  It is vital for the distinct identity of every culture to be honored 
and celebrated. Over one and a half million Americans are of Armenian 
heritage, and on this day we are grateful for their many contributions 
to our country. Rhode Island and this entire Nation continue to benefit 
from a strong and vibrant Armenian community.

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