Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

I know that defense policies and foreign affairs cannot be determined by

popular vote or opinions. As individuals, we have less information than

members of the government do. However, there are certain concepts that

have universal applicability. One of those concepts is "genocide." It means

massive extermination of people because of their heritage, not because of

their acts. Those of us who have studied the uprooting of Hellenism from

Asia Minor cannot escape the conclusion that Kemal's forces committed

genocide. The designation of September 14 as a day of remembrance of those

people is a symbol of our commitment to eliminate future genocides through

education. Therefore, I beg you to restore that day as an expression of

remembrance.

 

Sincerely,

 

Lefteris N. Botsas, Ph.D.

Professor of Economics and Management

School of Business Administration

Oakland University

Rochester, MI 48309

Telephone (248)370-3289

Fax (248)370-4275