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ANC NY: Governor Pataki Commemorates Armenian Genocide

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  • ANC NY: Governor Pataki Commemorates Armenian Genocide

    Armenian National Committee of New York
    PO Box 693
    Woodside, NY 11377
    [email protected]
    www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    May 5, 2004

    Contact: Tony Vartanian
    [email protected]


    GOVERNOR PATAKI COMMEMORATES ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

    -- "Armenian Remembrance Day" Proclamation Presented to Armenian Genocide
    Survivor

    NEW YORK, NY--During a recent ceremony at New York Governor George E.
    Pataki's Manhattan Executive offices, the Governor's annual "Armenian
    Remembrance Day" Proclamation was presented to Armenian Genocide survivor
    Perouze Ipekjian, reported the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of New
    York. Representing Governor Pataki was Charles A. Gargano, Chairman and CEO
    Empire State Development Corporation.

    "The Armenian American community of New York and Armenians worldwide thank
    Governor Pataki for recalling this important chapter of history each year,"
    stated ANC of New York Chairman Tony Vartanian. "Governor Pataki's
    leadership in properly commemorating the Armenian Genocide is a model for
    all to recognize and follow," continued Vartanian.

    "Through his continuous leadership Governor Pataki has proven that he is a
    firm believer in commemorating past atrocities in an effort to prevent
    future tragedies," concluded Vartanian.

    James V. Barcia, acting Director of Community Affairs for the Governor,
    served as Master of Ceremonies. Following his introductory statement,
    Barcia introduced Charles Gargano who made a few comments on behalf of
    Governor Pataki and presented the Gubernatorial Proclamation to Perouze
    Ipekjian.

    The Governor's official statement (full text below) states "the Armenian
    Genocide of 1915-23 was a catastrophic event during which an estimated 1.5
    million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman authorities under whose
    imperial rule most Armenians lived; alongside their Greek and Assyrian
    imperial co-subjects, and singled out for their ethnicity and Christian
    faith, Armenian men, woman and children met their end in mass killings,
    organized death marches, starvation tactics and other brutal methods
    employed against civilians."

    The proclamation further notes, "New York proudly accepts leadership in
    acknowledging the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 with recognition that the
    number of survivors is dwindling and that their courageous testimonials have
    put a human face on the documentary, photographic and journalistic evidence
    that supports this very real crime against people; armed with this evidence
    and with the memory of the elderly who experienced and witnessed its
    occurrence, the community rightfully seeks fullest recognition of the
    Genocide."

    After the presentation of the "Armenian Remembrance Day" Proclamation, His
    Eminence Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the
    Eastern United States, offered his thoughts on the importance of remembering
    the Armenian Genocide. Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
    Executive Director Aram Hamparian and Armenian Assembly of America (AAA)
    Executive Director Ross Vartian also had an opportunity to address the
    gathering.

    Also participating in the program were Aggie Ellian of the New York Armenian
    Home in Flushing, New York; ANC of New York Chairman Tony Vartanian; Antovk
    Pidedjian, Esq.; and Rev. Fr. Untzag Nalbandian, the director of programs
    and ministries for the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern)
    and pastor of the Church of the Holy Ascension (Trumball, CT), who
    represented Archbishop Khajag Barsamian.

    Closing the ceremony was Archbishop Choloyan, who offered the benediction.

    The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American grassroots
    political organization in New York and nationwide. The ANC actively advances
    a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

    ####

    ---------------------------
    FULL TEXT OF PROCLAMATION
    ---------------------------

    P r o c l a m a t i o n

    Whereas, the Empire State is proud to commemorate events whose
    discussion contributes to our understanding of world history while promoting
    tolerance for other races, religions and points of view; as a global leader
    in basic human and social rights, our State and its citizens have a
    prominent role in highlighting humanitarian concerns and teaching future
    generations the critical lessons that can be derived from mankind's past
    transgressions and the tragic consequences of intolerance; and

    Whereas, the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 was a catastrophic event
    during which an estimated 1.5 million Armenians were killed by the Ottoman
    authorities under whose imperial rule most Armenians lived; alongside their
    Greek and Assyrian imperial co-subjects, and singled out for their ethnicity
    and Christian faith, Armenian men, woman and children met their end in mass
    killings, organized death marches, starvation tactics and other brutal
    methods employed against civilians; and

    Whereas, the 20th century's first such calculated effort to destroy
    people on a massive scale, the Armenian Genocide led academics to coin and
    utilize the very term genocide and it is believed that, had the Armenian
    Genocide been stopped through diplomatic or interventionist means, the
    resulting precedent for peace could have prevented the Holocaust that befell
    the Jewish people; and

    Whereas, the Armenian Genocide caused the bulk displacement of the
    Armenian people from their ancestral lands, the loss of two-thirds of the
    these lands and the orphaning of countless Armenian children; Armenians'
    expulsion from their ancient territories was so extreme that almost every
    Armenian-American family can trace its immigration history from the
    Genocide, to the loving Christian missionaries in the Middle East that
    housed children, to the European continent and - finally - to the United
    States; and

    Whereas, New York proudly accepts leadership in acknowledging the
    Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 with recognition that the number of survivors
    is dwindling and that their courageous testimonials have put a human face on
    the documentary, photographic and journalistic evidence that supports this
    very real crime against people; armed with this evidence and with the memory
    of the elderly who experienced and witnessed its occurrence, the community
    rightfully seeks fullest recognition of the Genocide; and

    Whereas, it is fitting that all New Yorkers appreciate the hardships
    Armenians faced, if not only for the purpose of preventing tragedies such as
    the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23 from recurring, then to understand better
    how the United State's role as a refuge for all oppressed peoples has been a
    noble one;

    Now, Therefore, I, George E. Pataki, Governor of the State of New
    York, do hereby proclaim April 24, 2004 as

    Armenian Remembrance Day

    in the Empire State and offer the community hopes for success in educating
    the broader community during the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.

    G i v e n under my hand and the Privy Seal of the State

    at the Capitol in the City of Albany this sixteenth

    day of April in the year two thousand four.


    Governor
    Secretary to the Governor
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