Chris Smith: “our remembrance today of the 79th anniversary of the Armenian genocide allows us not only to honor the 1.5 million…”

“our remembrance today of the 79th anniversary of the Armenian genocide allows us not only to honor the 1.5 million Armenians who lost their lives in the Ottoman Empire's attempt to erase an entire people and the many who were forced into exile, it also allows us to honor the millions who now bravely stand against another attempt at their destruction. This moment in the history of the Armenian people is particularly important. Between 1915 and 1923, the Armenian people were subjected to policies and programs which resulted in the death and displacement of millions. There was no attempt to cover up what was happening and the world stood by--mostly silent in the face of the political instability at the time--as a people were being destroyed. Today, the Armenian people are once again at a significant, defining point in their history. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Armenia is independent, working toward democratic reform and finding a place in the international community. Where other nations of the former Soviet Union find this task difficult enough, the Armenians are still in the process of rebuilding following the 1988 earthquake--one of the largest natural disasters of our century. The rebuilding process can now continue thanks to the World Bank Earthquake Reconstruction loan for Armenian which is providing $28 million dollars to Armenian for assistance to the needy population of the earthquake zone.”