[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 5] [Extensions of Remarks] [Pages 6790-6791] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]OBSERVING THE 93RD ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE ______ HON. JOHN D. DINGELL of michigan in the house of representatives Wednesday, April 23, 2008 Mr. DINGELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today in observance of the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian genocide. On April 24, 1915, the Ottoman government detained hundreds of clergymen, professionals, intellectuals, and other political and community leaders. This marked the opening of a campaign of genocide that over the next 2 years would lead to the deaths of a million and a half Armenians. It is important to both remember this event, and to acknowledge it as genocide. Not only does it allow us to pay proper respect to those who lost their lives in Armenia at the hands of the Ottoman Empire, but it also helps us to comprehend the malevolent and inhumane events that take place in our global community today. Ethnic conflict and sectarian fighting remain an urgent issue for both the U.S. and the international community to address. The historical lessons and the exchange of ideas that flow from an honest discussion about the genocide that took place in Armenia can help us take steps to prevent further atrocities from occurring in our time. It is my hope that today's observation and reflection on the genocide in Armenia is part of a renewed effort of focusing our efforts towards the goal of understanding and eliminating the circumstances under which genocide can exist. [[Page 6791]] ____________________