Congressman Frank Palone's Statement

Dear friends, I am sorry I couldn't be here with you this weekend, however I am certain that Armenstock will be a memorable event, and one that I hope will have a significant impact.  

When Armenian Americans go the polls this November, they will have a clear choice.   On the one hand, they will have President Bush, who has walked away from his commitments to the Armenian community.   On the other, they will have Senator Kerry, a leading advocate of Armenian issues who has proven himself time and again as a friend of the Armenian community.   I say to you today, make the right choice and urge others to do the same.  

Most of you are aware of the fact that President Bush began his Administration by retreating from his campaign pledge to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide, a promise he had made on the campaign trail back in February of 2000.   Starting with his first April 24th statement, the President has ignored bi-partisan outcry, instead resorting to the use of evasive and euphemistic terminology to avoid calling the Armenian Genocide by its proper name - a clear instance of genocide.

When we talk about Senator Kerry, we are not talking about a candidate, like Governor Bush, who is simply making a campaign promise.   We are, rather, looking at a serious legislator with a strong track record in support of the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and on so many issues of concern to Armenian Americans.   Time after time, year after year, Senator Kerry has acted out his convictions, and stood with his Armenian

American friends as, they have fought for official U.S. recognition of the Genocide, strengthened U.S.-Armenia ties, support for the Republic of Armenia, and a fair and durable peace in Nagorno Karabagh.   In November, let us stand behind Sen. Kerry and send him to the White House!!!

I can't stress to you enough the importance of participation, and your presence here today, sends a very clear message that Armenian Americans are engaged, they are concerned, and their vote does count!    Once again, I commend you on your activism and political involvement, and urge each and every single one of you to leave here today, ready and energized to mobilize those in your communities to take action and vote.    

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I so wish I could be with you all today. My heart is broken because I miss you and my country needs our help.

We must all remember that as great as we are, America is still young and imperfect. Molded by a revolution, an attempted secession, and a great depression America, and now only 21 months into the 21st century, America may again be facing another defining challenge. Indeed, if this century's challenge has arrived, the present Iraq War debate serves to both shape and illuminate the evolving soul of this country.

As a member of the crew of a U.S. Navy patrol gunboat receiving Meritorious and Presidential Citations in Vietnam, I supported then, as I do now, those who chose to protest outside the very White House that honored me and my comrades. I would love to have said then, and do say now, that I truly 'fought for your kind'.  Conversely, the last person worth fighting for is one who never exercises vote or voice in any way, on any side of a national debate could render outcomes that may hold deep and lasting consequences.

Now that our fellow Americans are called upon to place their lives and lives of others in harms way, the rest of us remain free to make any choice on the matter and act. The indifferent may remind many of fellow Americans left languishing and dying in Vietnam.  But what Americans truly need is an unceasing and clarion call for the diligence a democracy demands.  

The final determinate of the soul of a nation created "by the people for the people" rests in its people. So to those Americans who choose protest, I say; "Carry our flag proudly". For it is the image of you, not the 'smart bomb', that strikes the greater fear into the despotic mind.

As for Armenia and Armenian Americans. Today I join those from around the world, Armenian and non-Armenian, who are engaged in mending the true and ancient soul of the Armenian people.