Steven Derounian

Infobox_Congressman
name= Steven Boghos Derounian


state= New York
district= 2nd
term= 1953 - 1965
preceded= Leonard W. Hall
succeeded= Lester L. Wolff
date of birth= Birth date|1918|4|6
place of birth= Sofia, Bulgaria
date of death= Death date and age|2007|4|17|1918|4|6
place of death= Austin, Texas
spouse= Emily Ann Kennard Derounian
profession= Attorney
religion=
party= Republican|

Steven Boghos Derounian (April 6, 1918 – April 17, 2007) was an American congressman. Derounian was born in Sofia, Bulgaria to Armenian parents Boghos Derounian and Eliza Aprahamian. When he was three, his family fled the Balkan Wars with his two other brothers (one of whom was journalist Avedis Derounian) to the United States and settled in Mineola, New York. He attended the public schools and graduated from New York University in 1938 and from the Fordham Law School.

He was admitted to the New York bar in 1942 and began practice in Mineola the same year. Derounian entered the United States Army as a private in July 1942 and graduated from officers school as an Infantry officer and was assigned to the 103rd Infantry. He served overseas from October 1944 to March 1946 and separated from the service as a captain in May 1946. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star with oak leaf.

He was elected as a Republican to the Eighty-third and to the five succeeding Congresses (January 3 1953-January 3 1965). Thereafter, he served as justice of the New York Supreme Court, 1969-1981. He retired to Austin, Texas, saying "I think New York has gotten a little too crowded. Austin is an attractive, educational city."

As a Congressman, Derounian was part of the Congressional Subcommittee that investigated the 1950s Quiz show scandals. This event is presented in Robert Redford's 1994 film "Quiz Show", where Derounian is shown harshly criticizing Charles Van Doren, after he admits to cheating on the TV game show "Twenty One". When his fellow Congressmen praise Van Doren for his statement, Derounian dissents saying:

"I'm happy that you've made the statement. But I cannot agree with most of my colleagues. See, I don't think an adult of your intelligence should be commended for simply, at long last, telling the truth."

There is a similar anecdote from his youth, when Derounian was helping his father in his wholesale food store as a student. A customer once complained that the 20-year-old Derounian overweighed a shipment of cheese, and his father rebuked him. The young Derounian apologized, but his father shot back:

"You made a mistake, and you're sorry. That's what every dishonest person says when he's caught. Sure, I know you didn't mean to do the wrong thing, but who else knows it? A reputation for honesty is one thing money can't buy. It can be preserved only by not making mistakes, not by making apologies. You remember that, boy, as long as you live."

References

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* cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/20/obituaries/20derounian.html?ex=1335412800&en=78dbf9d13ec434e6&ei=5124&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink
accessdate=2008-08-08
title=Steven B. Derounian, 89, Judge and Nassau Ex-Congressman, Dies
work=New York Times
date=2007-04-20
first=Wolfgang
last=Saxon
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