Edward M. Kennedy: “this Sunday, April 24, marks the 79th anniversary of the commencement of one of the most tragic events in recorded…”

“this Sunday, April 24, marks the 79th anniversary of the commencement of one of the most tragic events in recorded history: the extermination of more than 1 million Armenian men, women, and children during the final years of the Ottoman empire. Today, in recognition of this cruel and senseless outrage, we honor the courage and the memory of the individuals who perished, and we renew our commitment to stand firm against such crimes against humanity--whether in Armenia, Bosnia, or Rwanda. I commend the tireless efforts of the Armenian National Committee of America, the Armenian Assembly of America, and other groups to ensure that the memory of the victims of this genocide is not dimmed by the passage of time. These groups have also been instrumental in promoting a peaceful settlement of the current conflict in Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh and in educating all Americans about the issues facing the Armenian people. Between 1915 and 1923, officials in the Ottoman empire carried out a systematic campaign of genocide against all Armenians.”