ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA HONORS KAUFMAN, JCRC FOR AFFIRMING ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AND FIGHTING AGAINST DENIAL
DeFacto Agency
May 20 2008
Armenia
YEREVAN, 20.05.08. DE FACTO. The Armenian Assembly of America (AAA)
recognized Nancy K. Kaufman and the Jewish Community Relations Council
(JCRC) of Greater Boston for their continued leadership and support in
the affirmation of the Armenian Genocide during an award reception, May
9, at the Grand Hyatt Regency in Cambridge, MA, AAA reports. The emcee
for the evening was ARAMAC Massachusetts State Chair Herman Purutyan.
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny said that the Assembly had a
"unique opportunity to advance the fundamental principles and ideals
of human rights, democracy and truth and justice." Ardouny added that
the Assembly had accomplished that by its advocacy on Capitol Hill
and through "outreach to like minded individuals and organizations,"
drawing the parallel between the shared vision with Kaufman and
the JCRC.
"The Assembly commends the leadership Ms. Kaufman and the JCRC has
demonstrated standing up against denial and for firmly articulating
the record on the Armenian Genocide this past year," said Assembly
Public Affairs Chair Anthony Barsamian. "This award is presented in
Boston to honor Nancy and the JCRC for the organization’s continued
leadership in the affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. This leadership
is greatly appreciated by the Armenian-American community."
Mayor of Newton David B. Cohen also attended and spoke about his
belief that acknowledging an indisputable truth, the truth of the
Armenian Genocide, is very simple. "Together, the Assembly, JCRC
and men and women of conscience throughout the country will continue
to fight until we recognize the reality and horror of the Armenian
Genocide. We will continue to struggle until that time."
Henry Morgenthau, III, grandson of U.S. Ambassador to the then Ottoman
Empire Henry Morgenthau, compared Kaufman to his grandfather and said
that "she is indeed a worthy and courageous descendant of the spirit
of my grandfather and the spirit of those non-Armenians who stood-up
at difficult times and spoke out. I congratulate her and all of us
for honoring her."
In accepting the Assembly’s honor, Kaufman asked the question, "What
would have been if Nazis remained in power after WWII and there were
no Nuremberg trials? The Nazis, just as the Turkish government does
today, would have undoubtedly denied the accusations and the memory
of what had taken place might have faded into history".
During her remarks Kaufman quoted Professor Elie Wiesel who had said,
"We know that for the dead it is too late, but it is not too late
for today’s children – ours and yours – and it is not too late to
remember the forgotten genocide and remind the world that it should
never happen again."
Kaufman closed by saying "all I did was speaking the truth. I will
continue to speak the truth. We will never forget the Armenian
Genocide."
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
