Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
December 29, 2006
CONTACT: Karoon Panosyan
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY MOURNS THE DEATH OF GERALD R. FORD
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America mourns the loss of
President Gerald R. Ford who passed away on December 26 at the age of
93. Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian sent a letter to the
former President’s wife, Mrs. Betty Ford, expressing heartfelt
condolences on behalf of the Armenian Assembly and the Armenian-American
community.
Prior to his presidency, Ford represented the State of Michigan in
Congress for 25 years, eight of which he served as House Minority Whip.
In 1965, as a Congressman, Ford submitted a statement for the
congressional record in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide.
"Mr. Speaker, with mixed emotions we mark the 50th anniversary of the
Turkish genocide of the Armenian people. In taking notice of the
shocking events in 1915, we observe this anniversary with sorrow in
recalling the massacres of Armenians and with pride in saluting those
brave patriots who survived to fight on the side of freedom during World
War I."
The letter praised President Ford’s ability to lead the country
following the resignation of President Richard Nixon. "Despite the
extraordinary circumstances under which he assumed the Presidency, he
returned our government to a place that upheld the ideals and principles
of the Constitution," said Hovnanian.
Although Ford’s presidency is most often linked with the Watergate
scandal, he was also an outspoken defender of human rights. As the 38th
president, he signed the Helsinki Final Act of 1975 with the Soviet
Union. This established the Conference for Security and Co-operation in
Europe that later became the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe (OSCE) which laid the foundation for human rights and
fundamental freedoms including the principle of self-determination. As a
result of the Helsinki Act, Armenia was able to declare itself a
sovereign nation after the fall of the Soviet Union.
Hovnanian closed the letter by saying: "With every new challenge set
before him, and every time the American people called on him, President
Ford rose to the occasion."
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2006-117
Following is the full text of the Assembly’s letter of condolence.
December 29, 2006
Mrs. Betty Ford
The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
1000 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109
Dear Mrs. Ford,
On behalf of the Armenian Assembly and the Armenian-American community,
we wish to express our deepest sorrow for what is not only a great
personal loss for you and your family, but for the nation as well.
President Ford was a man who, throughout his long career in public
service, served with honesty, integrity, and candor. The
Armenian-American community will never forget his affirmation of the
Armenian Genocide while serving as a Representative in Michigan in 1965.
Nor will we forget that it was your husband that helped lay the
foundation for civilized dialogue between East and West on human rights
and fundamental freedoms, including the principle of self-determination.
The strong leadership that President Ford provided the American people
during their time of need was a testament to his abilities as a
statesman. Despite the extraordinary circumstances under which he
assumed the Presidency, he returned our government to a place that
upheld the ideals and principles of the Constitution.
With every new challenge set before him, and every time the American
people called on him, President Ford rose to the occasion. Although no
single letter will assuage your bereavement, it is our hope that the
totality of the nation’s outpouring will bring you comfort during this
difficult time.
Sincerely,
Hirair Hovnanian
Chairman, Board of Trustees