Speech #1050019885

I rise today to commemorate the 82nd Anniversary of the Atmenian genocide. On April 24th. 1915. the people of Armenia were subjected to tongterm. organized deprivation and relocation. Eightytwo years later. we mark this date to remember the beginning of #ts systematic eliminaton of Armenian civilians. which lasted for over seven years By 1923. 1.5 million Armenians had been massacred and 500.000 more deported. Many ArmenianAmericans reside In my congressional district. and each year they mark this date with solemn commemnoation. It is a day to reflect on the toss of property. freedom and dignity of those Armenians who were deported or killed under the Ottoman empire. We honor their memory and vow that such deprivation wit never happen again. Mr Speaker. we also mark this date to celebrate the contributions of mtrions of Armenians and ArmenianAmedcans since that awful time.