[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 152 (2006), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 6260]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                  COMMEMORATING THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, April 26, 2006

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, this week marks the 91st anniversary of the 
start of the Armenian Genocide. We remember and mourn the mass killing 
of more than 1.5 million Armenians and the forced relocation of over 
one million others.
  The painful memory of this brutal campaign is only compounded by the 
Turkish government's refusal to acknowledge the events of history. 
Instead of recognizing the crimes perpetrated by the Ottoman Empire, 
Turkish leaders have prosecuted journalists who write about the 
massacres. Turkey also continues to blockade Armenia and stifle its 
economic growth by locking Armenia out of the regional economy.
  Despite these challenges, Armenia has worked diligently to overcome 
its difficult past and make progress on democratic reform, promote 
development and expand public services. The United States has been a 
strong partner in this effort. In March, the U.S. and Armenia signed a 
Millennium Challenge Corporation compact to provide $235 million for 
programs to reduce rural poverty in Armenia over the next five years. 
Our close ties are further reinforced with the robust investment in the 
Armenian economy by Armenian businesses and communities across the 
United States.
  Today, as we remember the victims of the Armenian Genocide, we 
endeavor to ensure that the atrocities are not forgotten. As we pay 
tribute to the survivors who preserved the history, culture and 
tradition that paved the way for the emergence of an independent 
Armenian state, let us pledge to continue building an even brighter 
future of prosperity and opportunity for the Armenian people.

                          ____________________