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PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly of America
August 28, 2009
Contact: Michael A. Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY REMEMBERS SENATOR KENNEDY'S LEGACY
Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) mourns the
loss of U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). "Our thoughts and prayers
are with the Kennedy family," said Assembly Board President Carolyn
Mugar. "Throughout his career, Senator Kennedy embodied the principles
we hold dear -- promoting democracy, championing civil rights and human
rights, and standing up for those in need. His support of the Armenian
people and contributions to reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian
Genocide are invaluable. We thank him for his extraordinary service to
this great nation and the cause of freedom and democracy around the
world. Senator Kennedy will be greatly missed."
For decades, Senator Kennedy led by example when it came to support for
the Armenian people. Just after the devastating 1988 earthquake, Senator
Kennedy appealed to many private companies for donations to assist
Armenia in its time of need. In early 1990, he initiated a letter urging
then Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney to authorize airlifts to
Armenia. These airlifts provided bedding, electric heaters, winter
clothing and other desperately needed items for the influx of refugees
coming from Azerbaijan and to those still suffering as a result of the
earthquake. Senator Kennedy's leadership was instrumental and helped
save lives during a critical time.
Senator Kennedy pressed for a variety of programs to help Armenian
refugee communities across the globe, including those who fled from Iran
after the fall of the Shah and those who rebuilt their communities after
being caught in the civil war in Lebanon. He also worked to facilitate
the exit of Armenian refugees from the Soviet Union in the 1980s. His
long-standing support of the Armenian cause has earned Senator Kennedy
accolades from the Armenian-American community, including the "Friends
of the Armenians" Award from the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America.
In addition, Senator Kennedy was a staunch supporter of Karabakh's right
to self-determination and supported Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support
Act, which restricts U.S. aid to Azerbaijan because of its hostile
actions and blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Senator Kennedy
helped champion the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, prohibiting U.S.
assistance to any country which restricts the transport or delivery of
U.S. humanitarian aid to other countries. As an original cosponsor of
that bill, Senator Kennedy remarked, "The efforts by any nation to block
U.S. humanitarian aid are unconscionable. The Humanitarian Aid Corridor
Act is a responsible measure that is designed to ensure that individuals
in great need will receive U.S. assistance." Kennedy also cosponsored
S.1557, a bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment
(normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Armenia.
In regard to the Armenian Genocide, Senator Kennedy was a relentless
advocate for affirming this historical fact and the proud chapter in
U.S. humanitarianism. During the 85th Commemoration in Boston, Assembly
President Mugar had the distinct honor of introducing the senator at
Copley Square's Trinity Church the day after Easter with two thousand in
attendance. When His Holiness Karekin I, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians and the first President of Armenia Levon Ter
Petrosian, both visited the U.S., Senator Kennedy hosted them together
with the New England Armenian American Community at the John F. Kennedy
Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.
Throughout his tenure, he was an ardent supporter of resolutions
affirming the Armenian Genocide and vigorously defended the truth in the
face of Turkish denial. In his numerous speeches, Kennedy made it clear
that "It is time for all governments, political leaders and peoples
everywhere to recognize the Armenian Genocide. These annual
commemorations are an effective way to pay tribute to the courage and
suffering and triumph of the Armenian people, and to ensure that such
atrocities will never happen again to any people on earth."
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2009-064
Armenian Assembly of America
August 28, 2009
Contact: Michael A. Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY REMEMBERS SENATOR KENNEDY'S LEGACY
Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) mourns the
loss of U.S. Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). "Our thoughts and prayers
are with the Kennedy family," said Assembly Board President Carolyn
Mugar. "Throughout his career, Senator Kennedy embodied the principles
we hold dear -- promoting democracy, championing civil rights and human
rights, and standing up for those in need. His support of the Armenian
people and contributions to reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian
Genocide are invaluable. We thank him for his extraordinary service to
this great nation and the cause of freedom and democracy around the
world. Senator Kennedy will be greatly missed."
For decades, Senator Kennedy led by example when it came to support for
the Armenian people. Just after the devastating 1988 earthquake, Senator
Kennedy appealed to many private companies for donations to assist
Armenia in its time of need. In early 1990, he initiated a letter urging
then Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney to authorize airlifts to
Armenia. These airlifts provided bedding, electric heaters, winter
clothing and other desperately needed items for the influx of refugees
coming from Azerbaijan and to those still suffering as a result of the
earthquake. Senator Kennedy's leadership was instrumental and helped
save lives during a critical time.
Senator Kennedy pressed for a variety of programs to help Armenian
refugee communities across the globe, including those who fled from Iran
after the fall of the Shah and those who rebuilt their communities after
being caught in the civil war in Lebanon. He also worked to facilitate
the exit of Armenian refugees from the Soviet Union in the 1980s. His
long-standing support of the Armenian cause has earned Senator Kennedy
accolades from the Armenian-American community, including the "Friends
of the Armenians" Award from the Diocese of the Armenian Church of
America.
In addition, Senator Kennedy was a staunch supporter of Karabakh's right
to self-determination and supported Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support
Act, which restricts U.S. aid to Azerbaijan because of its hostile
actions and blockade of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Senator Kennedy
helped champion the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act, prohibiting U.S.
assistance to any country which restricts the transport or delivery of
U.S. humanitarian aid to other countries. As an original cosponsor of
that bill, Senator Kennedy remarked, "The efforts by any nation to block
U.S. humanitarian aid are unconscionable. The Humanitarian Aid Corridor
Act is a responsible measure that is designed to ensure that individuals
in great need will receive U.S. assistance." Kennedy also cosponsored
S.1557, a bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment
(normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Armenia.
In regard to the Armenian Genocide, Senator Kennedy was a relentless
advocate for affirming this historical fact and the proud chapter in
U.S. humanitarianism. During the 85th Commemoration in Boston, Assembly
President Mugar had the distinct honor of introducing the senator at
Copley Square's Trinity Church the day after Easter with two thousand in
attendance. When His Holiness Karekin I, Supreme Patriarch and
Catholicos of All Armenians and the first President of Armenia Levon Ter
Petrosian, both visited the U.S., Senator Kennedy hosted them together
with the New England Armenian American Community at the John F. Kennedy
Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.
Throughout his tenure, he was an ardent supporter of resolutions
affirming the Armenian Genocide and vigorously defended the truth in the
face of Turkish denial. In his numerous speeches, Kennedy made it clear
that "It is time for all governments, political leaders and peoples
everywhere to recognize the Armenian Genocide. These annual
commemorations are an effective way to pay tribute to the courage and
suffering and triumph of the Armenian people, and to ensure that such
atrocities will never happen again to any people on earth."
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2009-064