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ANCA ER: Congress Remembers Never Forgotten Survivor of the Genocide

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  • ANCA ER: Congress Remembers Never Forgotten Survivor of the Genocide

    PRESS RELEASE
    Date: April 3, 2008
    Armenian National Committee of America
    Eastern Region
    Contact: Karine Birazian
    Tel: 917-428-1918

    CONGRESS REMEMBERS A NEVER FORGOTTEN SURVIVOR OF THE ARMENIAN
    GENOCIDE
    --Paying tribute to Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian

    Washington, DC- On March 31, 2008, Congressman Frank Pallone (D-
    NJ-6) paid tribute on the House floor in memory of Armenian
    Genocide survivor Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian who passed away on
    February 27th, 2008, shortly after celebrating her 94th birthday.
    Vassilian, who was present during the House Foreign Affairs
    Committee markup of H. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
    on October 10, 2007, lived in Cong. Pallone's district, and was one
    of the remaining survivors of the genocide.

    Following Cong. Pallone's remarks, her son, Dr. Asbed Vassilian, a
    professor of chemistry and director of the Armenian Studies Program
    at Rutgers University in New Jersey, reflected on Cong. Pallone's
    statement with the following:

    Congressman Frank Pallone's remarks are really touching, and I am
    personally grateful that his office, upon your request, made those
    remarks. Regarding my mother, she just wanted justice to prevail
    and that all those who perished in 1915 and who did not have any
    descendents as she did as a survivor, should be recognized and
    their memories should eternally be kept alive. Across from her
    bed, she had the picture of her father, Nazaret, who she lost when
    she was ten months old. She never knew him. My grandmother had
    the picture above her bed all the time she was alive, and my mother
    kept it after my grandmother died and put it across her bed so that
    every night she would look at it before going to bed.

    Having seen and experienced the good, the bad and the ugly, my
    mother had a calming effect on the new generation whenever they
    came and complained about the problems they were having in their
    lives. She would tell them to be happy with what they have, and
    not sad or angry with what they lack; mainly, count your blessings
    and thank God. She would tell them to look at the problems with
    the microscope inverted: rather than seeing small things big, try
    to see the big things small. She was a happy, energetic, sharp
    minded, and most importantly, content, reconciled with her life,
    with its ups and downs. She was thankful to the St. Stepanos
    Church community for giving her the spiritual nourishment and to
    her new host country, the United States, for taking care of her
    over so many years. I will always miss her.

    The following is the text of the remarks offered by Cong. Pallone

    IN HONOR OF ASKOUHY JALLYAN-VASSILIAN - Madam Speaker, I rise today
    to honor Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian and her dedication to her
    community and the Armenian people. Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian was a survivor of the
    genocide inflicted upon the Armenian people. She was the embodiment of the
    enduring human spirit.

    Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian was born Askouhy Jallyan on February 12,
    1914, in Orfa, Turkey. Her mother, Khanem, had married in 1913 and
    was 18 years old when she gave birth to her only daughter. Khanem
    was widowed in 1915 when her husband, Nazaret, was murdered. Mrs.
    Jallyan-Vassilian was able to flee the horrors of genocide when she
    escaped with her mother to neighboring Syria.

    Later, Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian married her husband Missak Vassilian
    at the age of 19. Together they raised three sons and a daughter.
    She was also the proud grandmother of 10 grandchildren and 12
    great-grandchildren. Her son, Asbed Vassilian, is currently a
    professor of chemistry at Rutgers, The State University of New
    Jersey, and is the head of that school's Armenian studies program.

    On October 10, 2007, Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian attended a markup
    session of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign
    Affairs as it worked on a resolution recognizing the deplorable
    deprivation of human rights that occurred during the Armenian
    genocide. She had waited 92 years for the United States Congress to
    recognize the genocide and suffering that her people had endured at
    the hands of hate and intolerance.

    Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian passed away on February 27, 2008. She will
    be remembered for her devotion to her Armenian heritage and her
    commitment to the cause of those Armenians who suffered wanton
    violence and cruelty.

    Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in
    celebrating the life of Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian. Her legacy will
    continue to serve as a reminder of the audacity of human
    resilience.

    The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest
    and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
    organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
    chapters and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated
    organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the
    concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
    issues.
    ####
    Photo Caption #1: Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian at the House Foreign
    Affairs Committee markup on October 10, 2007.'Photo Credit Nuyiri
    Kasabian
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