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California Courier Online,May 3, 2012

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  • California Courier Online,May 3, 2012

    The California Courier Online, May 3, 2012

    Commentary
    1 - Why Does Pres. Obama Torture Himself
    AndArmenians Every April 24?
    ByHarut Sassounian
    Publisher, the California Courier
    2 - Berj Parseghian Seeks Election to
    L.A. CountySuperior Court Judge
    3- ColoradoState Legislature Unanimously
    ApprovesArmenian Genocide Resolution
    4- L.A. BallotsMay
    IncludeArmenian
    LanguageTranslation
    5- Armenian Students Bring Armenian
    Issuesto ClintonGlobal Initiative
    6- GAMC Celebrates Doctors' Day with
    Chiefof Staff, Dr. Simon Keushkerian
    7- UCLA Dream Fund Allocates
    $900,000to Prelacy Schools

    ************************************************** *********************
    1 - Why Does Pres. Obama Torture Himself
    AndArmenians Every April 24?

    ByHarut Sassounian
    Publisher,The CaliforniaCourier

    Forsome unknown reason, the President of the most powerful nation on earth
    feelscompelled to put himself through a strange and unnecessary ritual
    everyApril 24. Weeks in advance of that date, Pres. Barack Obama
    orders his WhiteHouse staff to scour the dictionary to come up with
    series of words otherthan genocide to describe the Armenian Genocide.
    Forthe fourth year in a row, the President's resourceful aides have
    notdisappointed him. For this year's `Armenian Remembrance Day,' they
    havecome up with a dozen words that describe the Armenian Genocide
    without usingthat specific term. When they ran out of substitute
    English words forgenocide, the President's hardworking wordsmiths
    turned to an Armenianterm, `Meds Yeghern,' without providing its
    English translation (GreatCalamity), so no one other than Armenians
    would understand what Pres. Obama isspeaking about!
    Hereare some of the words that the President's men offered this
    year:'Atrocities,' 'brutally massacred,' 'marched to their deaths,'
    'unspeakablesuffering,' 'perished,' 'dark chapters of history,' 'what
    occurred in 1915,''facts of the past,' 'lives that were taken,'
    'senselessly suffered and died,'and finally, 'the darkness of the Meds
    Yeghern.' Anything but genocide! Engagingin verbal gymnastics on
    genocide is unacceptable and unbecoming of theoffice of the President
    of the United States. Could such deplorable effortsbe explained as a
    feeble attempt by Obama to minimize his brokenpromises? As
    Presidential candidate, he repeatedly and solemnly pledged that
    hewould recognize the Armenian Genocide. But when he became President,
    he hidbehind insulting statements issued in his name year after year!
    In hislast four annual statements, Pres. Obama avoided carrying out
    his campaignpromises by claiming: `I have consistently stated my own
    view of what occurredin 1915. My view of that history has not changed.'
    But, he never bothered totell the American public what exactly were
    his views in the past, what hisviews are today, and what happened in
    1915! He cleverly downplays thesignificance of the Armenian Genocide
    by calling it =80=9Cmy own view of whathappened in 1915.' Yet, on
    January 19, 2008, then presidential candidate Obama,seeking the
    Armenian community's campaign contributions and votes, had noqualms to
    call these events by their proper name. Back then, he
    confidentlystated that `the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a
    personal opinion, ora point of view,' and promised that `as
    President,' he would `recognize theArmenian Genocide.'
    Sadly,Pres. Obama is not the only member of his administration who has
    not
    kept hiscampaign pledge on this issue. Vice President Joe Biden and
    Secretary of StateHillary Clinton, two of the highest officials of the
    country, had made similarpromises to recognize the Armenian Genocide
    when they were Senators andpresidential candidates. While Vice
    President Biden has remained
    eerily silent,Mrs. Clinton has gone from being a proponent of the
    recognition of the ArmenianGenocide to its leading opponent. After
    becoming Secretary of State, sheactively lobbied to defeat a proposed
    congressional resolution on the ArmenianGenocide!
    Afterfour years of this senseless charade by the White House, the
    ArmenianAmerican community has two good reasons for asking Pres. Obama
    not to makeany more statements on the Armenian Genocide.
    First,by breaking his word for four years in a row and playing verbal
    games withgenocide, Obama has lost the moral standing to speak on this
    highlyemotional and painful topic! How can the President of the United
    Stateslecture anyone around the world about human rights, democracy,
    and justice, whenhe himself has so crudely violated the trust of his
    own people and lost allcredibility? He should stop torturing himself,
    his staff, and Armeniansworldwide by not issuing insulting
    "Remembrance Day"statements. It makes no sense for Pres. Obama to
    issue anannual statement that Armenians don't want, don't like, and
    areoffended by it!
    Second,another U.S. President, Ronald Reagan, has already acknowledged
    the
    ArmenianGenocide in a Presidential Proclamation in 1981. The Armenian
    Genocide wasalso recognized by the House of Representative in 1975 and
    1984, by
    the JusticeDepartment in an official filing with the World Court in
    1951, and by 42 U.S.states. Therefore, the Armenian community has no
    need to beg Pres. Obama or anyother political candidate to recognize
    that which is already and repeatedlyrecognized.
    Genocideis too sacred to be a subject of crass political
    trading. Those whoacknowledge the undeniable fact of the Armenian
    Genocide do so, not as afavor to the victims, but to restore their own
    credibilityand moral integrity!

    ************************************************** *********************
    2 - BerjParseghian Seeks Election to
    L.A. CountySuperior Court Judge

    LOS ANGELES - Berj Parseghian, first generationAmerican-Armenian, is
    seeking election to the Los Angeles Superior Court in theupcoming June
    Primary. When he talks about bringing balance to the courts
    andintegrity to judicial
    decisions, he means it. He's been doing just that as avolunteer
    temporary judge.
    Parseghian, who currently serves as Counsel for Bingham McCutchen LLP,
    has
    practiced law in Los Angeles for over 12 years. He has experience at
    the
    state and federallevel and has represented both plaintiffs and
    defendants,
    includingindividuals, businesses and government agencies, on a wide
    variety of legalmatters.
    Implicit in Parseghian's decision to run for judge was hisbelief that
    the court needs judges who have broad experience and the
    legalknowledge
    to handle diverse cases. The Los Angeles Superior Court is thelargest
    trial court system in the United States. Three million caseswere filed
    in 2009-2010.
    He has already won major endorsements from numerouscommunity leaders,
    including Sheriff Baca; former L.A. County District AttorneyRobert
    Philibosian;
    L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; L.A. CityAttorney Carmen
    Trutanich; former Mayor Richard Riordan; California SupremeCourt
    Justices Marvin Baxter, Armand Arabian (ret.) and John Arguelles
    (ret.);Superior Court Judges Soussan Bruguera, James Rogan and Judith
    Chirlin (ret.);as well as U.S. District Judge Dickran Tevrizian
    (ret.).
    A newcomer to L.A.politics, Berj is working hard to introduce himself
    to voters. `Theendorsements from respected leaders extended to my
    first
    election campaign arecritical to reaching more citizens,' says
    Parseghian. `Judges are often theleast known candidates on the ballot,
    but they may have a greater impact onpeople's lives than other elected
    officials. My goal is to earn voters'support.'
    As a volunteer temporary judge, Parseghian has presided overmore than
    1,000 traffic and small claims cases throughout Los Angeles Countyand
    has gained extensive hands-on judicial experience.
    Berj was born and raised in Alpena,Michigan, a community of 20,000 on
    the shoresof Lake Huron. He graduated with honors fromthe University
    of Michigan with a degree inchemistry. Berj then moved to Los Angeles,
    where he completed a year of graduate studyin chemistry at Caltech
    before pursuing a law
    degree and graduating from UCLALaw at the top of his class-becoming
    the first attorney in his family.
    Berj Parseghian's name will appear on the June 5 Primaryballot. For
    more information, visit www.BerjForJudge.com.

    ************************************************** ****************************
    3 - Colorado StateLegislature Unanimously
    ApprovesArmenian Genocide Resolution

    DENVER, CO- On April 20, the Colorado General Assembly unanimously
    voiced their approvalfor the 11th annual Armenian Genocide Resolution,
    designating
    April 24 as Colorado Day of Remembrance of The ArmenianGenocide. The
    resolution wasspearheaded by AOC Genocide Commemoration committee
    chairperson, KimChristianian in 2002, with the help of committee
    members Ken Allikian and SimonMaghakyan. `Each year we update
    thelanguage of the resolution to bring awareness to the continuous
    injustices thatare placed on the Christian minorities in Turkey', says
    Christianian. Last year, Colorado led the states with language in
    theirresolution calling for the return of Christian properties
    confiscated duringthe genocide
    State Senator Lois Tochtrop has been the primary sponsor ofthe
    resolution since 2002, back when she was a State Representative in
    theHouse. `We have had several Housesponsors over the years, but for
    last two years we have had Representative SuRyden as our advocate in
    the House chamber', says, Ken Allikian.
    In addition to the annual resolution, Armenians of Coloradohas for 30
    years obtained annual Gubernatorial and Mayoral Armenian
    Genocidecommemorative proclamations. This year,the proclamations were
    submitted by AOC board member, Rafael Saakyan.
    The resolution was followed by the annual commemorationceremony on
    April 22, organized by Armenians Of Colorado Inc. and the
    GenocideCommemoration Committee. Simon Maghakyanacted as MC and the
    guest speakers included Senator Lois Tochtrop andRepresentive Su
    Ryden. Reverend FatherZaven Markosyan delivered the invocation in the
    Senate and at the commemorationceremony.
    A crowd of over 150 attended the ceremony held in The Armenian Garden
    located on the StateCapitol grounds where there is a dedicated
    commemorative headstone andevergreen tree. The garden wasestablished
    with the support of the Armenian community and AOC in April1982. `We
    are very fortunate
    to have ourown piece of land on the Capitol grounds', says Sona
    Hedeshian, president ofAOC. `We'll be working to make enhancementsto
    the site in time for the centennial in 2015'.
    Upcoming AOC events include a talk entitled, The Changing Landscape of
    Historic WesternArmenia: Reflections on a Journey intothe Past, with
    Dr. Richard Hovannisian on Saturday May 5. Details can be found
    atwww.armeniansofcolorado.org.

    ************************************************** ***************************
    4 - L.A.Ballots May

    IncludeArmenian
    LanguageTranslation

    LOS ANGELES - The city council may soon consider includingthe Armenian
    language in election ballots in order to service the nearly
    30,000registered voters of Armenian descent in L.A.
    Paul Krekorian, the first Armenian-American on the L.A. CityCouncil,
    submitted themotion along with Council President Herb Wesson. The move
    was made nowto coincide with the anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
    They're asking for the city's election materials and ballotsto be
    translated into Armenian in time for the 2013 elections.
    The city of Glendale,which has a proportionately larger Armenian
    population, already does this.
    In accordance with the Voting Rights Act, ballots are already being
    translatedinto six languages-Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean,
    Chinese and Japanese.
    Based on Census numbers revealed last year, Hindi and Thaiwill soon be
    added to that list.

    ************************************************** *************************
    5 - ArmenianStudents Bring Armenian
    Issuesto ClintonGlobal Initiative

    By Anita Tokatyan

    As the twenty-one year old Armenian student looked into theeyes of
    former President Bill Clinton, she took a moment to comprehend
    whetherthis was a dream or reality. `How could I, only a college
    student and a recentimmigrant, meet the president?' she said. `How
    could I, an Armenian, be heretoday and shake hands with one of the
    most powerful men in the world?' Suddenlythe reality of it all hit her
    and she realized her calling, her reason, and herpurpose for this
    meeting.
    Without further thought she reached out to shake PresidentClinton's
    hand and realized she only had a minute to say all she could aboutwhat
    mattered most to her and her people. `Mr. President. I can't thank
    youenough for the opportunity to participate in this conference. As a
    recentimmigrant to the United States, I am literally living the
    Americandream. Thank you for what you've done for the Armenians. But
    my real
    dreamis for the Armenian Genocide to be recognized one day by the
    Americangovernment.'
    Nanor Balabanian and her team--Astkhik Hakobyan, AlexandraBasmadjian,
    and Lilliana Karadavoukian--were one of the few Armenian
    studentsinvited to participate in President Clinton's 5th Annual
    ClintonGlobal InitiativeUniversity (CGI U), held March30 to April 1 in
    Washington D.C.
    The conference hosted over 1,000 college students fromaround the world
    as a means of empowering, connecting, and inspiring theirengagement in
    public service. As the founder of the Hidden Road Initiative(HRI),
    which aims to connect roads and bridge issues between the children
    ofAkhpradzor Armenia and therest of the world, Balabanian, along with
    her three motivated and dedicatedpeers, represented their development
    project in Armenia.
    `In this big group of 1,000 students and hundreds ofdifferent
    organizations, I could not be more honored to see our Armenian
    flagshine brightly among the big pool of student exhibits. I could not
    be morehonored of being Armenian and being present,' Balabanian
    said.`This was
    a trip for us move forward and build upon the past.This was a trip
    where we would show President Clinton that Armenians are alive and
    thriving.'
    Through various panelists and speakers, the students learnedabout how
    to be better leaders in their community.
    Hakobyan, HRI Director of International Operations, wasmoved by the
    inspiring and engaging lectures presented at CGI U and felt theywere
    all directed
    toward HRI. The experience opened her eyes to the
    differentopportunities and endeavors available to her as an individual
    and as a foundingmember of HRI.
    `A wonderful anthropology professor once told me...`culture isthe lens
    through which we see the world,' Hakobyan said. =80=9CIndeed, this
    shortweekend has polished and refined the lens through which I gather
    information.'
    Karadavoukian, HRI Fundraising Manager, said she felt hercommitment to
    HRI
    was strengthened through her participation in CGI U.
    Although the students felt they gained valuable informationfrom CGI U,
    Karadavoukian was disappointed that Armenia was not covered in
    the`Preventing Human Genocides and Mass Atrocities' workshop. As an
    Armenian,Karadavoukian felt that history of genocides should be better
    recognized.
    `They mentioned one word of the Holocaust, went over verybriefly of
    the genocide in Bosnia,'Karadavoukian said. `And no word over the
    Armenian Genocide, which was the coreroot of all the other genocides
    that occurred throughout history.'
    Nevertheless, the students worked together to develop acomprehensive
    =80=9Ccommitment to action.' This commitment requires them to
    buildupon their development project in the rural villageof Akhpradzor,
    Armenia. Last year, Balabanian leda team of UCSB, Yerevan State
    University,and Stanford students to build a computer lab, bring
    Internet connectivity, andrun an educational camp that included
    classes in computer, health, English,sports,
    and arts. The reason behind this project was to provide
    communicationand commerce for villagers who are isolated for six
    months every winter due tosnow. The long-term goals of their project
    are for Internet to be used tocreate new jobs in the village, provide
    access to tele-medicine, and give newresources for education. In the
    US,the team holds various fundraisers to provide basic needs, such as
    winter coatsand sturdy shoes, for the village children.
    `What makes our team thrive is the dedicated individuals whotake part
    in the Hidden Road Initiative. Our 20 members at UCSB come from
    avariety of majors, bringing with them skills that move the
    organizationforward,' Balabanian said. `Leading HRI has led me to
    believe that Armeniancollege students have the ability to make a
    tremendous impact.'
    This idea was reinforced in the students when they had theopportunity
    to meet Lara Setrakian, the ABCforeign correspondent in Dubai.Upon
    meeting her
    the students were motivated by her experiences and wise words.They
    said it
    was very effective to meet a young Armenian woman dedicated toserve
    the Armenians in any way she possibly could.
    `During our meeting, Lara covered three main unforgettablepoints,'
    Karadavoukian said. `First, the importance of our contribution
    tosociety as individuals; second, the importance of our identity asan
    Armenian and our role in the diaspora; third, theimportance of being
    an Armenian woman in today's society andour role in public service.'
    According to the students, meeting Setrakian was the most
    unforgettableexperience at CGI U.
    HRI Director of Development Alexandra Basmadjian feltuplifted by the
    experience of meeting someone who redefined the notion ofovercoming
    limitations in life, and pursuing not only the impossible but alsothe
    unimaginable.
    The presence of encouraging leaders and students raised thebar on the
    capabilities of these students to engage in public service on
    bothlarge and small scales. To emerge successful in their attempts for
    positivechange and to
    redefine the meaning of possibility, the participants were askedthe
    big question: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not
    fail?
    `In a group of 1,000motivated and dedicated students from around the
    world, we not only found a newArmenia,but we started building one as
    well,' Balabanian said.
    For more information, visit: www.hiddenroadinitiative.com

    ************************************************** **************************
    6 - GAMCCelebrates Doctors' Day with
    Chiefof Staff, Dr. Simon Keushkerian

    By Anahid Anna Pinedjian

    GLENDALE - On the occasion ofDoctors' Day, the Glendale Adventist
    MedicalCenter held a luncheon in the East Towerlobby patio, at noon on
    March 28, in honor of its health care professionals.
    Organized by the Medical Staff Office in collaboration withRamella
    Markarian, director of Physician Development, the event was
    exquisite,all invited physicians enjoyed appetizing food and
    delightful music.
    `Honoring our healthcare professionals, the GAMC reallywould like to
    take this opportunity to respectfully thank their tirelessefforts,
    commitments to ensuring the preservation and sustainability
    ofhealthcare service
    in GAMC, which is truly underlining its mission,' saidMarkarian.
    Dr. Simon Keushkerian, one of the dedicated physicians amongthe
    event's honorees, was recognized as chief physician surgeon, who
    brings thehighest level of expertise to practice diverse, complex
    surgical procedures.
    Dr. Keushkerian graduated from the American Universityof Beirut School
    of Medicine in 1981, with degree of Doctor of Medicine. He completed
    an extensive medical educationrequirement in the Kansas State Board of
    Healing Arts
    and successfully passedthe examination and qualified as a certified
    Vascular and General PhysicianSurgeon in 1988.
    He started his practice in GAMC almost 25 years ago,treating all age
    groups and performing various surgical procedures. He is also a
    Clinical Professor of Surgery atthe University of Loma Linda Medical
    School.
    He is an elected member of the National Peripheral Vascular,and
    American College Surgeon's societies. He is also an active member of
    The Armenian American Medical Society ofCalifornia (AAMSC).
    In 2008 he was selected as Most Valuable Physician AwardHonoree. He
    holds many certifications and positive ratings from local andnational
    leading independent organizations.
    The medical staff members praised his dedication forproviding quality
    health care service to his patients.
    Despite his hectic schedule, a compassionate doctor likeKeushkerian
    somehow always manages to make time for humanitarian work, whichhas
    led him to volunteer in Malawi,Philippines, and Armenia.
    `I feel very fortunate to have been trusted with such achallenging
    mission. It is very rewardingto have a job that helps to improve the
    health and well-being of mankind,' Dr.Keushkerian said.

    ************************************************** ********************
    7- UCLA DreamFund Allocates
    $900,000to Prelacy Schools

    LA CRESCENTA, CA - Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,the
    Executive Council, and Board of Regents announced that the Dream Fund
    atUCLA has made a very generous allocation of $900,000 to Prelacy
    Schools.
    The contributions were made to the following schools: Rose& Alex
    PilibosArmenian School,Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School & Holy
    Martyrs Marie Cabayan Elementary,Armenian MesrobianSchool, Vahan &
    Anoush ChamlianArmenian School,Ari GuiragosMinassian ArmenianSchool,
    Krouzian-Zekarian-VasbouraganArmenian School,St. Mary's Richard
    Tufenkian ArmenianPre-School, and Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Armenian
    Pre-School.The Prelate, Executive Council, and the Board of Regents of
    Prelacy Schoolsexpressed their profound gratitude to the Dream Fund
    for their generosity.
    "Our heartfelt thanks to the Dream Fund for this muchneeded
    assistance. In this globaleconomic crisis, more than ever our schools
    are in need of financial aid tocontinue their mission of providing the
    highest quality of education togenerations of Armenian students. This
    allocation will certainly contributegreatly to the realization of that
    mission, and for that we areever-thankful", stated the Prelate.
    The Dream Fund at UCLA is a donor-advised fund, establishedin 2011
    through
    the generosity of The Lincy Foundation. The Dream Fund focuseson
    education, health, youth, and the community.

    ************************************************** ******************
    The California Courier Online provides viewers of the GroongNews
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    made through our e-mail, [email protected], by phone,
    (818)409-0949. Thank you.
    ************************************************** *******************

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