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PRESS RELEASE
July 13, 2007
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: kpanosyan@aaainc.org

Rep. Pallone Emphasizes Importance of Genocide Resolution by Honoring
Ambassador Morgenthau and Expresses Support for Swift Passage

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly commended Armenian Caucus
Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) for his remarks on the floor of the
House of Representatives in support of the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
H. Res. 106. Pallone honored Henry Morgenthau, U.S. Ambassador to the
Ottoman Empire during the start of the Armenian Genocide for providing
first-hand descriptions of the atrocities that were taking place.
Pallone plans to give a series of speeches to emphasize the importance
of passing the Armenian Genocide Resolution which is currently supported
by a majority of House members.

Below is the text of Representative Pallone’s statement before the House
of Representatives on July 11th 2007:

"Mr. Speaker, the Armenian Genocide that was orchestrated by the Ottoman
Empire from 1915 to 1918 is an irrefutable fact. Looking at the history
of this catastrophic event, it is impossible to deny that this was
genocide on all accounts. One way to hear witness to the truth is to
make reference to first hand accounts at the time the Armenian genocide
occurred."

"Henry Morgenthau served with dignity as U.S. Ambassador to the Ottoman
Empire from 1913 to 1916. In the wake of surging nationalism in Turkey,
and alarmed at reports of the Armenian genocide, he repeatedly appealed
to the U.S. government to intervene, without success. Morgenthau
addressed the genocide of the Armenians in a 1915 dispatch to the State
Department in which he warned that "a campaign of race extermination is
in progress."

"He then appealed to Ottoman rulers, also without result. Finally, he
publicized his opinions in his 1918 book of memoirs, Ambassador
Morgenthau’s Story, which documented his experiences while in Turkey,
including his vivid views of the Armenian genocide."

"Morgenthau wrote: "When the Turkish authorities gave the orders for
these deportations, they were merely giving the death warrant to the
whole race; they understood this well, and, in their conversations with
me, they made no particular attempt to conceal the fact…I am confident
that the whole history of the human race contains no terrible episode as
this."

"In one of his addresses Morgenthau commented on the United States
efforts during the Armenian Genocide, "If America is to condone these
offenses, if she is going to permit to continue conditions that threaten
and permit their repetition, she is party to the crime. These people
must be freed from the agony and danger of such horrors. They must not
only be saved for the present but they must be given assurance that they
will be free in peace and that no harm can come to them."

"At great personal risk and sacrifice, Morgenthau chose to intervene on
behalf of the Armenians and even managed to help rescue an unknown
number of Armenians. Of course, in the end his efforts were
unsuccessful. Drained by his failure to avert this disaster, Morgenthau
returned to the United States in 1916 and for the remainder of World War
I dedicated himself to raising funds for the surviving Armenians. He
is considered a hero in Armenia and an American man of courage and
character."

"Mr. Speaker, if America is going to live up to the standards we set for
ourselves, and continue to lead the world in affirming human rights
everywhere, we need to follow Morgenthau’s example. We must stand up
and recognize the tragic events that began in 1915 for what they
were—the systematic elimination of a people. By recognizing these
actions as genocide we can renew our commitment to prevent such
atrocities from occurring again."

"I wish to express my support for swift passage of H. Res. 106 which
reaffirms the Armenian Genocide. It now has a majority of the Members
of the House as cosponsors. As the first genocide of the 20th Century,
it is morally imperative that we remember this atrocity and collectively
demand reaffirmation of this crime against humanity."

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of
Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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2007-083