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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
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