[Congressional Record: April 24, 2007 (Extensions)]
[Page E848]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:cr24ap07-44]

NINETY-SECOND COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

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speech of

HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

of california

in the house of representatives

Monday, April 23, 2007

Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, each year on April 24, Armenian communities
around the world gather in somber commemoration of the genocide that
began in 1915. Sadly, after 92 years, their grief is only compounded by
those who aggressively deny or raise doubt about this troubling chapter
of history.
This should be a day reserved for honoring the memory of those who
were killed and paying tribute to the strength of those who survived.
It should be a time to reflect on the personal narratives of those who
were exiled, the historical evidence of villages and communities that
were destroyed, and diplomatic cables from U.S. officials that
described the atrocities. It should be an opportunity to resolve
ourselves to fight crimes against humanity in all forms and all places.
Instead, year after year, April 24 unleashes a battle of semantics.
Those who acknowledge what happened in Armenia as a “tragedy,” a
“catastrophe,” or a “massacre” are correct. But nothing other than
the term “genocide” can wholly characterize the systematic
deportation of nearly 2 million Armenians and the deliberate
annihilation of 1.5 million men, women and children. Anything short of
that is unfair to those who perished and unhelpful to our plight
against future acts of genocide.

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