Released 5/16/05

Joseph L. Basralian, Graduate of Fairleigh Dickinson University and the National Law Center at George Washington University , Received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for Philanthropic Contributions on May 14, 2005   

Joseph L. Basralian, Managing Partner of the Hackensack , New Jersey law firm of Winne, Banta, Hetherington, Basralian & Kahn, P.C., was awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his philanthropic contributions at a ceremony that took place on Ellis Island on Saturday, May 14, 2005 . Besides the Congressional Medal of Honor, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor is the only other award sanctioned by both houses of the United States Congress and recipients are listed in the Congressional Record. The award was created in 1986 and previous recipients include U.S. presidents, senators, congressmen and Nobel Prize winners.

The award of the medal recognized Mr. Basralian’s longstanding service to his Armenian ancestry, in particular to the global Armenian diaspora, and to his local community. He serves as Secretary on the Central Board of Trustees of the Armenian General Benevolent Union, which was created in 1906 to preserve and promote the Armenian identity and heritage through educational, cultural and humanitarian programs throughout the world. Mr. Basralian was a Trustee and the Secretary of the Armenian Fund USA , which was established to assist Armenia in the reconstruction of its infrastructure after the 1988 earthquake, and which continues to provide ongoing aid to that country. He also serves as a pro bono legal advisor to several Armenian churches and philanthropic organizations.

In his local community, Mr. Basralian is a Director of The Bergen Community College Foundation in New Jersey and served as Chairman of the Bergen Community College Foundation. He is a Trustee of the George and Winifred M. Pitkin Foundation, established to provide financial assistance to not-for-profit education and medical institutions throughout New Jersey . Mr. Basralian served as a Trustee of the American Heart Association, Bergen District, and has been a member of the Board of Governors of the Armenian Bar Association.

Mr. Basralian was the Board of Adjustment Attorney for the Borough of Upper Saddle River for over 30 years and served as the Borough Attorney for the Borough of Franklin Lakes for seven years.

Mr. Basralian is the managing partner of his firm and practices in the areas of real estate and land use, corporate and commercial law, and banking services.  A graduate of the National Law Center at George Washington University and Fairleigh Dickinson University, he is a member of the New Jersey Bar Association, including the Land Use, Planning and Community Affairs Committee of the Legislative Committee of the Banking Law Section, the Land Use Law Section, and he is a member of the Municipal Law Committee of the Bergen County Bar Association.

Mr. Basralian resides with his wife Jacqueline in Franklin Lakes , New Jersey . The Basralians have three grown children, Joseph, Stephanie and Gregory.

For more information contact:

Michael G. Stingone                                                                        

Winne, Banta, Hetherington, Basralian & Kahn, P.C.                

Court Plaza South – East Wing                                                      

21 Main St.                                                                                        

Hackensack, NJ 07601

TEL: 201-487-3800

FAX: 201-487-8529

mstingone@winnebanta.com