[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 6]
[House]
[Page 8050]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




      COMMEMORATING THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Bradley) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. BRADLEY of New Hampshire. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to 
commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide and to 
commend the Armenian Caucus co-chairs, the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. 
Knollenberg) and the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Pallone), for again 
encouraging their colleagues to remember this solemn occasion.
  April 24 marked the beginning of this systematic and deliberate 
campaign of genocide perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire in 1915. Over 
the next 8 years, 1.5 million Armenians were tortured and murdered, and 
more than half a million were forced from their homeland into exile.
  The U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman Empire during the genocide vividly 
documented the massacre of the Armenians by stating: ``I am confident 
that the whole history of the human race contains no such horrible 
episode as this. The great massacres and persecutions of the past seem 
almost insignificant when compared to the sufferings of the Armenian 
race in 1915.''
  As this crime against humanity was being committed, the United States 
led the world in attempting to end the slaughter and to save those who 
survived. American intervention prevented the full realization of the 
Ottoman Empire's genocidal plan, and U.S. humanitarian assistance was 
extended to those who survived.
  While the U.S. record on the Armenian genocide is the most expansive 
in the detail of its coverage of the events of 1915 to 1918, the 
official records of many other countries, Austria, France, Germany, 
Great Britain, Italy, and Russia corroborate the evidence gathered by 
U.S. diplomats.
  Therefore, it is important for our government to reaffirm its own 
record on the Armenian genocide and to assure that the relevant 
historical records are preserved. By keeping memories alive through 
history, we will prevent other instances of inhumanity from occurring.
  As an ardent supporter of New Hampshire's Armenian community, I would 
like to pay particular respect to hardworking individuals within my 
State. Mr. Mike Manoian and Mr. John Aranosian have long advocated on 
behalf of the Armenian-American citizens in New Hampshire, and their 
efforts have resulted in the increased awareness and understanding of 
Armenian interests. I applaud that dedicated work and greatly 
appreciate their strong commitment. As a proud member of the 
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, I will continue to encourage 
my colleagues to honor the memory of those Armenians who suffered and 
perished nearly a century ago.

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