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CAPITOL HILL GENOCIDE REMEMBRANCE INSPIRES LEGISLATORS, ENERGIZES COMMUNITY
asbarez
Thursday, April 26th, 2012
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) with New Jersey natives including ANCA
Legislative Director Raffi Karakashian, Sarine Arzoumanian and Kyle
Movsessian
Record turn-out reflects renewed drive for truthful and just resolution
of Turkey's Crime against the Armenian Nation
WASHINGTON-More than twenty Senators and Representatives addressed
a highly-motivated, standing-room-only crowd of Armenian Americans
this evening during an inspiring Congressional remembrance ceremony
marking the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America.
The energetic program, held in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room on
the Senate side of Capitol Hill, featured sharp criticism of the
Obama Administration's refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide,
and impassioned calls for Congressional action to properly condemn
and commemorate this crime. The reach of the program was multiplied
by social media, with Senators and citizens alike, posting photos,
tweeting impressions, and emailing updates throughout the event.
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian with Armenian American members of Congress
Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA
"The strong community turn-out and the energy of the principled stands
staked out this evening by legislators really speak to the strength
of our renewed drive to overcome the remaining obstacles being thrown
up by Ankara and its allies to a truthful and just resolution of the
Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "We look forward
to building on this enthusiasm, here in Washington and in communities
across our country, to finally end the outsourcing to Ankara of U.S.
policy on the Armenian Genocide."
As in years past, the observance was hosted by the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues - co-chaired by Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA)
and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) - in conjunction with Armenian American
organizations, and with the support of the Embassy of the Republic
of Armenia and the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
The Master of Ceremonies was the Honorable Ardashes Kassakhian,
Clerk of the City of Glendale, California, who drew on his broad
understanding of Armenian history, his long experience working for
the Armenian Cause, and his expert, first-hand understanding of the
dynamics of Capitol Hill to inform and inspire legislators and all
in attendance.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Ed Royce (R-CA) with ANCA Western Region
Executive Director William Bairamian (right) and Orange County natives
Alex Der Alexanian and Eleeza Agopian.
Among the U.S. legislators participating in the remembrance were
Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. Jack
Reed (D-RI) and Representatives Joe Baca (D-CA), Howard Berman
(D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), David Cicilline (D-RI), Robert Dold
(R-IL), Elliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ),
Janice Hahn (D-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Frank Pallone
(D-NJ), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Ed Royce
(R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA),
and Bob Turner (R-NY).
In addition to remarks by legislators, powerful speeches were offered
by Armenia's Ambassador to the U.S., Tatoul Markarian, and Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan. Both spoke forcefully
about the importance of the annual Capitol Hill commemoration and
ongoing international efforts to secure justice for the Armenian
Genocide. Ambassador Markarian announced that Armenian Government's
highest civilian honor, the Mkhitar Gosh Award, was to be bestowed on
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Rep. Anna Eshoo and Rep. Brad Sherman for
their years of service in promoting justice for the Armenian Genocide
and a stronger U.S.-Armenia relationship.
Also invited to speak was special guest Tom Andrews, a former
Congressman from Maine who now serves as President of United to
End Genocide, the leading group behind the growth of a national,
grassroots anti-genocide movement. In a stirring speech, he thanked
Armenian Americans for working against all genocides and crimes
against humanity. Former Senator Paul Sarbanes was invited to the
podium and received a standing ovation for his praise of Armenian
Americans as a true American lobby for American values. Also receiving
a standing ovation was former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans,
whose term in office was cut short because he spoke honestly about
the Armenian Genocide.
The observance's opening prayer was offered by Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern U.S.,
who, earlier in the day, gave the opening prayer for the U.S.
Senate. Archbishop Choloyan, during a busy day on Capitol Hill, met
personally with over a dozen U.S. legislators. The closing prayer was
offered by Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, representing His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America.
Obama Administration officials who handle Armenian-related foreign
policy related issues were individually invited to attend the
observance. Those who responded each explained that they were "unable
to attend," reflecting, by all accounts, a policy-level decision
to appease Turkish government sensitivities by prohibiting foreign
policy officials from participating in Armenian Genocide remembrance
events in the United States.
Complete coverage of Congressional statements and guest speakers will
be provided in upcoming days.
asbarez
Thursday, April 26th, 2012
Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) with New Jersey natives including ANCA
Legislative Director Raffi Karakashian, Sarine Arzoumanian and Kyle
Movsessian
Record turn-out reflects renewed drive for truthful and just resolution
of Turkey's Crime against the Armenian Nation
WASHINGTON-More than twenty Senators and Representatives addressed
a highly-motivated, standing-room-only crowd of Armenian Americans
this evening during an inspiring Congressional remembrance ceremony
marking the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee
of America.
The energetic program, held in the historic Kennedy Caucus Room on
the Senate side of Capitol Hill, featured sharp criticism of the
Obama Administration's refusal to recognize the Armenian Genocide,
and impassioned calls for Congressional action to properly condemn
and commemorate this crime. The reach of the program was multiplied
by social media, with Senators and citizens alike, posting photos,
tweeting impressions, and emailing updates throughout the event.
ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian with Armenian American members of Congress
Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA
"The strong community turn-out and the energy of the principled stands
staked out this evening by legislators really speak to the strength
of our renewed drive to overcome the remaining obstacles being thrown
up by Ankara and its allies to a truthful and just resolution of the
Armenian Genocide," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. "We look forward
to building on this enthusiasm, here in Washington and in communities
across our country, to finally end the outsourcing to Ankara of U.S.
policy on the Armenian Genocide."
As in years past, the observance was hosted by the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues - co-chaired by Representatives Ed Royce (R-CA)
and Frank Pallone (D-NJ) - in conjunction with Armenian American
organizations, and with the support of the Embassy of the Republic
of Armenia and the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic.
The Master of Ceremonies was the Honorable Ardashes Kassakhian,
Clerk of the City of Glendale, California, who drew on his broad
understanding of Armenian history, his long experience working for
the Armenian Cause, and his expert, first-hand understanding of the
dynamics of Capitol Hill to inform and inspire legislators and all
in attendance.
Congressional Armenian Caucus Ed Royce (R-CA) with ANCA Western Region
Executive Director William Bairamian (right) and Orange County natives
Alex Der Alexanian and Eleeza Agopian.
Among the U.S. legislators participating in the remembrance were
Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Sen. Jack
Reed (D-RI) and Representatives Joe Baca (D-CA), Howard Berman
(D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), David Cicilline (D-RI), Robert Dold
(R-IL), Elliot Engel (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ),
Janice Hahn (D-CA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Ed Markey (D-MA), Frank Pallone
(D-NJ), Laura Richardson (D-CA), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Ed Royce
(R-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA),
and Bob Turner (R-NY).
In addition to remarks by legislators, powerful speeches were offered
by Armenia's Ambassador to the U.S., Tatoul Markarian, and Republic of
Nagorno Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan. Both spoke forcefully
about the importance of the annual Capitol Hill commemoration and
ongoing international efforts to secure justice for the Armenian
Genocide. Ambassador Markarian announced that Armenian Government's
highest civilian honor, the Mkhitar Gosh Award, was to be bestowed on
Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Rep. Anna Eshoo and Rep. Brad Sherman for
their years of service in promoting justice for the Armenian Genocide
and a stronger U.S.-Armenia relationship.
Also invited to speak was special guest Tom Andrews, a former
Congressman from Maine who now serves as President of United to
End Genocide, the leading group behind the growth of a national,
grassroots anti-genocide movement. In a stirring speech, he thanked
Armenian Americans for working against all genocides and crimes
against humanity. Former Senator Paul Sarbanes was invited to the
podium and received a standing ovation for his praise of Armenian
Americans as a true American lobby for American values. Also receiving
a standing ovation was former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans,
whose term in office was cut short because he spoke honestly about
the Armenian Genocide.
The observance's opening prayer was offered by Archbishop Oshagan
Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern U.S.,
who, earlier in the day, gave the opening prayer for the U.S.
Senate. Archbishop Choloyan, during a busy day on Capitol Hill, met
personally with over a dozen U.S. legislators. The closing prayer was
offered by Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian, representing His Eminence
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese of the
Armenian Church of America.
Obama Administration officials who handle Armenian-related foreign
policy related issues were individually invited to attend the
observance. Those who responded each explained that they were "unable
to attend," reflecting, by all accounts, a policy-level decision
to appease Turkish government sensitivities by prohibiting foreign
policy officials from participating in Armenian Genocide remembrance
events in the United States.
Complete coverage of Congressional statements and guest speakers will
be provided in upcoming days.