OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Armenian Genocide

Date: April 27, 2004
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Foreign Affairs


ARMENIAN GENOCIDE-HON. JOE BACA (Extensions of Remarks - April 27, 2004)

HON. JOE BACA
OF CALIFORNIA
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
TUESDAY, APRIL 27, 2004

Mr. BACA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the genocide of Armenians at the hands of the Ottoman Empire.

Starting in 1915, the Ottoman Empire tortured and murdered up to one and a half million Armenians. More than half a million were forced to leave and went into exile.

The Armenians settled across the world lending energy and strength to their adoptive communities.

It is important to recognize the historical atrocities perpetrated against the Armenians. We must teach our children about the fear, torture, mass graves, and expulsions of the Armenian people.

Through education and commemoration, our children can grow up to be better citizens and better Americans.

By recognizing genocide for what it is, the world can wake up to the obscene nature that sometimes grips nations and work to prevent the mass killing that devastated the Armenian people.

With this year's commemoration of the Armenian genocide, I urge all Americans to be vigilant and watchful. We must prevent hatred and bigotry. We must do all we can to prevent genocide. By commemorating the past, we can make the future a better place to live.

END

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