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AAA: Assembly Reaffirms Commitment To Landmine Clearance In Armenia

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  • AAA: Assembly Reaffirms Commitment To Landmine Clearance In Armenia

    Armenian Assembly of America
    1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
    Washington, DC 20036
    Phone: 202-393-3434
    Fax: 202-638-4904
    Email: [email protected]
    Web: www.armenianassembly.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    June 1, 2005
    CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
    Email: [email protected]

    ASSEMBLY REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO LANDMINE CLEARANCE IN ARMENIA
    Organization Leaders Saluted at MLI's Washington Gala

    Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America was commended by
    the Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) on May 10 for continuing to lead
    efforts to help rid Armenia of deadly landmines that kill and maim
    countless people and livestock each year.

    MLI Board of Directors President Perry F. Baltimore III expressed
    his appreciation to the Assembly and Board of Directors Vice Chair
    Annie Totah during the organization's annual "Clearing the Path Gala,"
    at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC.

    The recognition followed an Assembly-led effort to raise $100,000 to
    procure mine detection dogs for use in a State Department-sponsored
    demining project in Armenia. Assembly Life Trustees Gerard L. Cafesjian
    and Associate Trustee Greg Parseghian were among the leading supporters
    of the project, to which the State Department contributed $300,000.

    "The Assembly is honored to be part of such a worthy cause," said
    Totah, an MLI benefactor and Board of Directors Member. "The true
    credit, however, goes to the twelve mine handlers and their trained
    dogs, who are headquartered near Etchmiadzin, and are all doing a
    great job in saving lives and returning the land to productive use."

    The event included a keynote address by Her Majesty Queen Noor of
    Jordan, an international humanitarian activist and an outspoken voice
    on issues of world peace and justice. Former presidential advisor and
    ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulous served as master of ceremonies.

    Awards were presented by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Congressman
    Richard Neal (D-MA). Diana Enzi, who is married to Senator Michael
    Enzi (R-WY), received the Community Service Award for establishing the
    Children Against Landmines Program (CHAMPS) in Wyoming. The program
    fosters global citizenship and gives schoolchildren the opportunity
    to sponsor and name their own mine detection dog.

    "The Assembly commends all the 2005 honorees for their leadership,
    creativity and dedication in ridding the world of these hidden
    explosives," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

    MLI, a Washington-based non-profit, provides mine detection dogs,
    management training and mine awareness education to reduce suffering
    and restore hope to people, especially children, in war-torn countries.
    The organization's two major programs are CHAMPS and the K9 Demining
    Corps Campaign (K9DC).

    The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based
    nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness
    of Armenian issues. It is a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt membership
    organization.

    ###

    NR#2005-049

    Photographs available on the Assembly's Web site at the following link:

    http://www.aaainc.org/images/press/2005-049/2005- 049-1.jpg

    CAPTION: L to R: Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY), Assembly Board of
    Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah, Liana Mkrtchian, Armenian Embassy
    Counselor Arman Israelian, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny
    and Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair Rep. Frank
    Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).

    http://www.aaainc.org/images/press/2005-049/2005-049-2.jpg

    CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Board of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah,
    Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Diocesan Legate Bishop Vicken
    Aykazian and Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair
    Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).

    http://www.aaainc.org/images/press/2005-049/2005-049-4.jpg

    CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny,
    Diocesan Legate Bishop Vicken Aykazian, Master of Ceremonies George
    Stephanopoulous, Armenian Embassy Counselor Arman Israelian and Board
    of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah.

    http://www.aaainc.org/images/press/2005-049/2005-049-3.jpg

    CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, former
    U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Michael Lemmon, Assembly Board of Directors
    Vice Chair Annie Totah, Esther Coopersmith, Michele Lemmon and former
    National Security Advisor and Marshall Legacy Institute Chairman the
    Honorable Anthony Lake.

    -30-
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