Aremenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
E-Mail: info@armenianassembly.org

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2004
Contact: David Zenian
E-Mail: zenian@aaainc.org

ASSEMBLY EXTENDS CONDOLENCES TO MRS. REAGAN

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly this week expressed its “deep
sadness” and “heartfelt condolences” to Mrs. Nancy Reagan and her family
over the death of her husband, Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the
United States.

In a joint letter signed by Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian and
Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian, the Assembly praised the late
President for his ardent support of genocide reaffirmation, freedom,
democracy and human rights.

“Your husband is to be commended as the only President of the United States
to recognize the Armenian Genocide via official proclamation. As the
Governor of California, he frequently issued proclamations accurately
characterizing the cataclysmic events of 1915 as genocide,” the letter said.

In his unprecedented proclamation issued on April 22, 1981 during his first
term in office, the late President Reagan said:

“Like the genocide of the Armenians before it, and the genocide of the
Cambodians which followed it – and like too many other such persecutions of
too many peoples – the lessons of the Holocaust must never be forgotten.”

Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian said:

“His remarks are now part of the historical record and contributed to the
growing international trend of Armenian Genocide reaffirmation. His
statement did not damage U.S.-Turkey relations, contrary to the often
expressed concerns of past and present administrations as they oppose
congressional resolutions on this vital issue.

“President Reagan’s quest to end the Cold War set the stage for the fall of
the Berlin Wall, and created the momentum for the eventual collapse of the
Soviet Union, an end to communist rule and the re-birth of an independent
Republic of Armenia,” Hovnanian said.

Following is the full text of the Assembly’s letter of condolence which was
sent to Mrs. Nancy Reagan this week.

June 8, 2004

Mrs. Nancy Reagan
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library & Museum
40 Presidential Drive
Simi Valley, CA 93065

Dear Mrs. Reagan:

On behalf of the Armenian Assembly and the Armenian-American community, we
wish to express our deep sadness on hearing of the death of your husband.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

Throughout his career in public service, the President distinguished himself
as one of America’s most ardent and eloquent champions of freedom, democracy
and human dignity worldwide. To that end, your husband is to be commended
as the only President of the United States to recognize the Armenian
Genocide via official proclamation. As the Governor of California, he
frequently issued proclamations accurately characterizing the cataclysmic
events of 1915 as genocide.

In foreign policy, the President’s motto was “peace through strength,” as he
embarked on a quest to end the Cold War, reunite Germany, reduce nuclear
arms, and confront terrorism. He is credited for his singular role in
ending the Cold War and setting the stage for the fall of the Berlin Wall.
The Armenian-American community will always remember the vision and
leadership your husband exhibited in his successful mission to liberate the
nations absorbed by the former Soviet Union.

With every fundamental challenge he encountered in life, the President met
it with good humor, kindness, conviction and optimism in a way that inspired
and continues to inspire the American people. As the nation grieves with
your family, we also celebrate the life of your husband.

Sincerely,

Hirair Hovnanian
Anthony Barsamian
Chairman, Board of Trustees Chairman,
Board of Directors

NR#2004-054