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REP. SCHIFF TO ADMINISTRATION - ARMENIAN ORPHAN RUG IS A CHERISHED SYMBOL OF ARMENIAN RESILIENCE, A SYMBOL WORTHY OF THE SMITHSONIAN
US Fed News
November 12, 2013 Tuesday 5:54 AM EST
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Rep. Adam Schiff issued the following news:
Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) called on the Obama Administration
to allow exhibition of the "Armenian Orphan Rug" at the Smithsonian
Museum. The rug, woven by orphans of the Armenian Genocide in 1920,
was presented to President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 as thanks for U.S.
assistance during the genocide. The rug - which has been in storage
at the White House for decades - was supposed to be released for
exhibition in a Smithsonian event for the launch of Hagop Martin
Deranian's new book "President Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian
Orphan Rug." Unfortunately, the event was cancelled when the White
House refused to release the rug for display.
"The decision by the Administration to block display of the Armenian
Genocide rug is as inexplicable, as it is hurtful to the Armenian
community," Schiff explained. "The rug is not only a symbol of
the resilience of the Armenian people through their darkest days,
it also serves as a tangible expression of the inherent truth that
not only were 1.5 million people killed in the first genocide of the
20th Century, but that the American government was a central player
in efforts to call attention to the plight of the Armenian people
and provide relief to survivors."
The Administration has been reluctant to call the Armenian Genocide
what it was, a genocide, and this latest decision to keep the rug
out of the Smithsonian comes without explanation.
Schiff continued, "The rug deserves to be on display and the millions
affected by the genocide deserve the chance to see it - it's my hope
that the Administration will decide to allow the rug, a symbol worthy
of the Smithsonian, to be released."
Schiff and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) sent a letter, along with 31
other Members, to President Obama urging him to allow exhibition of
the rug. The full letter is below, and can be found here:
Dear Mr. President:
As Members of Congress who represent America's Armenian community,
we write to inquire about numerous reports that the White House has
blocked the exhibition of an important Armenian Genocide-era icon of
shared American and Armenian history scheduled to open December 16th;
the "Armenian Orphan Rug."
This historic rug was hand-woven by orphans of the Armenian Genocide
in an American-sponsored orphanage run by an U.S. charity created by
an act of Congress. The rug, which has over 4,000,000 hand-tied knots,
was presented, in 1925 to President Calvin Coolidge as a symbol of
gratitude for American aid and generosity. President Coolidge noted
that, "The rug has a place of honor in the White House where it will
be a daily symbol of goodwill on earth." The presentation of the
rug to President Coolidge enjoyed wide publicity including in The
New York Times and resulted in millions of dollars being raised for
humanitarian assistance.
The Armenian Orphan Rug is a piece of American history and it
belongs to the American people. For over a decade, Armenian American
organizations have sought the public display of the rug and have
requested the White House and the State Department grant their request
on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, Armenian Americans have yet to
have their requests granted.
We urge you to release this American treasure for exhibition. We
look forward to working with you to ensure this important piece of
American and Armenian history is publicly displayed and we eagerly
await your response.
Sincerely,
Members of Congress
US Fed News
November 12, 2013 Tuesday 5:54 AM EST
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12 -- Rep. Adam Schiff issued the following news:
Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) called on the Obama Administration
to allow exhibition of the "Armenian Orphan Rug" at the Smithsonian
Museum. The rug, woven by orphans of the Armenian Genocide in 1920,
was presented to President Calvin Coolidge in 1925 as thanks for U.S.
assistance during the genocide. The rug - which has been in storage
at the White House for decades - was supposed to be released for
exhibition in a Smithsonian event for the launch of Hagop Martin
Deranian's new book "President Calvin Coolidge and the Armenian
Orphan Rug." Unfortunately, the event was cancelled when the White
House refused to release the rug for display.
"The decision by the Administration to block display of the Armenian
Genocide rug is as inexplicable, as it is hurtful to the Armenian
community," Schiff explained. "The rug is not only a symbol of
the resilience of the Armenian people through their darkest days,
it also serves as a tangible expression of the inherent truth that
not only were 1.5 million people killed in the first genocide of the
20th Century, but that the American government was a central player
in efforts to call attention to the plight of the Armenian people
and provide relief to survivors."
The Administration has been reluctant to call the Armenian Genocide
what it was, a genocide, and this latest decision to keep the rug
out of the Smithsonian comes without explanation.
Schiff continued, "The rug deserves to be on display and the millions
affected by the genocide deserve the chance to see it - it's my hope
that the Administration will decide to allow the rug, a symbol worthy
of the Smithsonian, to be released."
Schiff and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) sent a letter, along with 31
other Members, to President Obama urging him to allow exhibition of
the rug. The full letter is below, and can be found here:
Dear Mr. President:
As Members of Congress who represent America's Armenian community,
we write to inquire about numerous reports that the White House has
blocked the exhibition of an important Armenian Genocide-era icon of
shared American and Armenian history scheduled to open December 16th;
the "Armenian Orphan Rug."
This historic rug was hand-woven by orphans of the Armenian Genocide
in an American-sponsored orphanage run by an U.S. charity created by
an act of Congress. The rug, which has over 4,000,000 hand-tied knots,
was presented, in 1925 to President Calvin Coolidge as a symbol of
gratitude for American aid and generosity. President Coolidge noted
that, "The rug has a place of honor in the White House where it will
be a daily symbol of goodwill on earth." The presentation of the
rug to President Coolidge enjoyed wide publicity including in The
New York Times and resulted in millions of dollars being raised for
humanitarian assistance.
The Armenian Orphan Rug is a piece of American history and it
belongs to the American people. For over a decade, Armenian American
organizations have sought the public display of the rug and have
requested the White House and the State Department grant their request
on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, Armenian Americans have yet to
have their requests granted.
We urge you to release this American treasure for exhibition. We
look forward to working with you to ensure this important piece of
American and Armenian history is publicly displayed and we eagerly
await your response.
Sincerely,
Members of Congress