Armenian, Assyrian and Hellenic Genocide News

ANC of New York Welcomes Governor Pataki's Recognition of Turkish Genocide against Pontian Greeks
by
Posted: Friday, March 02, 2001 01:37 am CST

Armenian National Committee of New York P.O. Box 770-693
Woodside, NY 11377

Press Release
2/28/01

Contact: Alex Sarafian

ANC OF NEW YORK WELCOMES GOVERNOR PATAKI'S RECOGNITION OF TURKISH GENOCIDE AGAINST PONTIAN GREEKS

Governor's Award of Excellence to be
given to Pontian Genocide Survivor during Women's History Month Celebration

New York, NY - Governor George E. Pataki announced today that one of the six recipients of his 2001 Women's History Month "Award of Excellence" is a 90-year-old woman who is the subject of a memoir detailing the tragedy of the Pontian Genocide. The awards are scheduled to be given during an upcoming Women's History Month Celebration at which 100 distinguished women will be present.

"New York's Armenian community joins with our friends in the Greek community and with all people of good faith in thanking Governor Pataki for honoring Themia Halo and recognizing all the victims of the Turkey's genocide against the Pontian Greeks," said ANC-New York representative Alex Sarafian. "Ceremonies, such as the one being hosted by the Governor, are critical to countering the Turkish government's campaign of denial - aimed at covering up Turkey's genocidal crimes and erasing forever the history of the Armenian, Greek, and Assyrian populations of Asia Minor."

Sano "Themia" Halo, whose life was documented by her daughter Thea Halo in the book "Not Even My Name," will be present to receive the award. At the age of 10, Mrs. Halo and 700,000 Pontic Greeks, who lived in communities along northern Turkey near the Black Sea for three millennia, endured immeasurable cruelty during a Turkish Government-sanctioned campaign to displace them.

An estimated 300,000 Pontic Greeks died while being forcibly marched without provisions across the Anatolian plains to the Syrian border. The estimated 400,000 who survived were exiled from Turkey and today they and their descendants live throughout the Greek diaspora. For example, as many as 40,000 Pontic Greeks live among the many more Greeks in Astoria, Queens County.

On the occasion of this announcement, Governor Pataki stated:

"The Turkish perpetrators of genocide in Asia Minor were notably brutal when executing their campaign to displace Greeks, Armenians and Assyrians from their ancestral lands. Sano's touching story of perseverance, triumph and healing serves as an inspiration for all who face adversity, and makes an important contribution to the treasury of works that clarify our understanding of this dark chapter in history."

The Governor's press statement on this matter also included the following statement:

"Most people of good will are familiar with the Armenian Genocide of 1915-23, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1.5 million Armenians by forces of the Turkish Government. The details of Mrs. Halo's life in her daughter's book, however, add to our growing knowledge of the Pontian Genocide, which occurred concurrently. "Not Even My Name" is one of the few English- language accounts of the Pontian Genocide and it is among the most thorough. Thus, Mrs. Halo's story of survival and resettlement in New York City adds greatly to our understanding of the Pontian Genocide and its effects on immigration."

The month of March is traditionally observed as Women's History Month throughout the Nation. This year's theme, "Celebrating Women of Courage and Vision," underscores the wealth of character and strength found among American women of all occupations and at all levels of society. Under Governor Pataki's leadership, part of the State of New York's own celebration of Women's History Month includes the holding of an annual ceremony at which the achievements of women like Mrs. Halo are recognized.

New York's First Lady Visits Armenian Quarter of Jerusalem

In another matter of interest to New York's Armenian community, the Governor's wife, Libby Pataki, visited the Armenian Quarter during her recent travel to Jerusalem.

During her seven-day visit, which began on January 7th, the First Lady visited the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which is under the jurisdiction of the Armenian Apostolic, Roman Catholic, and Greek Orthodox faiths. She noted how happy she was to be in the Armenian Quarter on this 1700th anniversary of Armenia becoming the first Christian nation. Mrs. Pataki toured the Armenian Quarter and shopped at the many Armenian-owned shops found there.

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