[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 13323]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING ARMENIA'S 25TH INDEPENDENCE DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. SCOTT GARRETT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2016

  Mr. GARRETT. Mr. Speaker, as a member of the Congressional Armenian 
Caucus, I rise today to recognize Armenia's twenty-fifth Independence 
Day on September 21st.
  Both the United States and Armenia share the belief that remembering 
our countries' heritages is critical to paving the path to tomorrow. In 
the first genocide of the 20th century, nearly 1.5 million Armenians 
perished at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. And, for much of the 
Twentieth Century, Armenia was under the brutal rule of the Soviet 
Union. Although history has presented the Armenian people with many 
challenges, they have always found a way to triumph in the face of 
daunting adversity.
  The United States has consistently stood with Armenia over the last 
twenty-five years as the Armenian people have shown how a former 
Republic of the Soviet Union could transition into a thriving 
democratic nation-state. As we have seen around the world, new 
democracies will have their struggles. However, I am confident that the 
resiliency and strength of the Armenian people will allow them to 
overcome any obstacles challenging their country's bright future.
  I would again like to congratulate the people of Armenia on their 
twenty-fifth Independence Day. This anniversary is a time to remember 
the sacrifices of the past and to look ahead to a future.

                          ____________________