[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7008]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              93RD COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 24, 2008

  Mr. PALLONE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the 93rd 
anniversary of the Armenian genocide. As the first genocide of the 20th 
century, it is morally imperative that we remember this atrocity and 
collectively demand reaffirmation of this crime against humanity.
  In 1915, Henry Morgenthau, America's ambassador stationed in Istanbul 
described a ``systematic attempt to uproot peaceful Armenian 
populations.'' He warned Washington of the government's plan to ``crush 
the Armenian race.''
  After these warnings from Morgenthau, the U.S. Government took action 
and responded to the Armenian genocide. During a time when hundreds of 
thousands were left orphaned and starving, a time when a nation was on 
the verge of complete extermination, the United States took the lead 
and proudly helped end these atrocities. In fact, Americans helped 
launch an unprecedented U.S. diplomatic, political and humanitarian 
campaign to end the carnage and protect the survivors.
  Yet, 93 years later, the United States has not officially recognized 
the Armenian genocide. We owe it to the Armenian-American community, to 
the 1.5 million that were massacred in the genocide and to its own 
history--to reaffirm what is fact.
  Last October, the Foreign Affairs Committee passed the Armenian 
Genocide Resolution, giving full recognition to the genocide, but, 
since then, the bill has stalled due to the deep pocketed and well 
oiled Turkish lobby.
  By not recognizing the Armenian genocide for what it was, the 
government sponsored, systematic killing of a people, we fall prey to 
the Turkish government's threats. At the expense of truth, we buckle to 
Turkey out of geo-political convenience.
  Refusing to recognize the Armenian genocide only erodes our 
international reputation as human rights leaders. By remaining silent, 
we encourage Turkey to continue denial. While we look the other way, 
the Turkish government continues to prosecute those who speak out about 
the Armenian genocide in Turkey. This cannot continue. We must stop 
pandering to Turkish government.
  Fortunately, there are citizens of Turkey who refuse to deny the 
facts of the Armenian genocide. The Human Rights Association of 
Istanbul opposes the government muzzle. They recognize that state 
denial is the continuation of genocide, depriving the decedents of the 
Armenians the right to mourn their loved ones.
  We cannot let denial continue. By doing so, we show the international 
community that not only is genocide accepted, but that we are 
indifferent. Recognizing the Armenian genocide is crucial to helping 
end the cycle of genocide that has continued to plague civilization. If 
no one is held accountable, if America and the International community 
fail to act, then we allow these atrocities to continue.
  A large majority of our colleagues want to support this resolution. 
Members want to reaffirm the United States' record on the Armenian 
genocide. Unfortunately, the strong Turkish lobby is making it 
difficult for this House to take a firm stance for the truth.
  Recognizing the Armenian genocide will bring closure to a people and 
send the message that crimes against humanity cannot be silenced.

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