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Rep. Schiff Announces White House Will Display Armenian Orphan Rug

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  • Rep. Schiff Announces White House Will Display Armenian Orphan Rug

    Congressional Documents and Publications
    April 30, 2014


    Rep. Schiff Announces White House Will Display Armenian Orphan Rug

    Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) News Release

    U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DOCUMENTS


    Washington, DC -Today, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) announced that the
    White House has agreed to exhibit the "Armenian Orphan Rug" in the
    near future, likely this fall. The rug, woven by orphans of the
    Armenian Genocide in 1920, was presented to President Calvin Coolidge
    in 1925 as a symbol of gratitude for American aid and generosity for
    U.S. assistance during the genocide. The Armenian Orphan Rug, which
    measures 11'7" x 18'5", has over 4,000,000 hand-tied knots and took
    the Armenian girls in the Ghazir Orphanage of the Near East Relief
    Society 10 months to weave.

    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
    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 rug was not able to
    be displayed at that time.

    "Since first raising this issue with the Administration, I have worked
    diligently with the White House to find a way for the Ghazir rug to be
    sensitively and appropriately displayed," said Rep. Schiff. "Today,
    I'm pleased to be able to say that planning is underway for the
    Armenian Orphan Rug to be displayed as early as this fall. I have
    worked out with the White House that the display will take place in a
    venue that is open to the general public, and I appreciate their
    willingness to place this significant artifact on display for all to
    see."

    Schiff and Rep. David Valadao (R-CA) sent a letter, along with 31
    other Members, to President Obama last year urging the Administration
    to allow exhibition of the rug. The full letter is below, and can be
    found here, and in the letter they stated: "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."

    Since sending the letter, Schiff has worked with the White House to
    find a way for the rug to be sensitively and appropriately displayed.
    Details of the future exhibition will be released as they come
    available.

    Read this original document at:
    http://schiff.house.gov/press-releases/rep-schiff-announces-white-house-will-display-armenian-orphan-rug/

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