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PRESS RELEASE
Date: April 2, 2015
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA HOLDS ANNUAL MEMBERS WEEKEND IN SOUTH FLORIDA
ON EVE OF GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL
WASHINGTON, DC - Last month, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly)
held its annual Members Meeting in Boca Raton, Florida on March 13-14,
2015. Organized by the Assembly's South Florida Regional Council (SFRC)
Chair Carol Norigian, and Assembly Board of Trustees member Lu Ann Ohanian,
the annual members weekend included a two-day program of meetings,
receptions, events, and a unique academic symposium on the Armenian
Genocide.
The success of the Assembly's annual members weekend was ensured thanks to
the generosity of Gold sponsors Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation, Edele
Hovnanian, Harry and Edna Keleshian, Carolyn Mugar, Lu Ann and Bruce
Ohanian, Gail and Richard O'Reilly, George Pagoumian, Toros Sahakian, Joyce
and Joe Stein, Peter and Irene Vosbikian, Silver sponsors Michael and Marie
Haratunian, Mrs. Michael Ohanian, Takouhi and Arshag Tarpinian, and Bronze
sponsors George M. Jamgochian, James Kalustian, Oscar Tatosian, and Thomas
G. Varbedian, M.D.
The weekend kicked off with a welcome reception on Friday night featuring
BEDROS author Irene Vosbikian. Newly elected Assembly Board of Trustees
Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, welcomed Assembly members and guests to the
annual event. Assembly board member Lu Ann Ohanian introduced Irene
Vosbikian and read passages from her book, which details the life of her
father-in-law, who survived the Armenian Genocide and made a new life in
America. Vosbikian signed copies for guests who purchased the book with all
proceeds benefitting the Armenian Assembly of America.
`The Assembly is thankful to Irene and Peter Vosbikian for their
contribution and support,' stated Assembly Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian. `We
were moved by the resilience of Bedros Vosbikian in his escape from the
Armenian Genocide and his journey to America, and we especially enjoyed
hearing Peter and Irene's story of love, sacrifice, and triumph,' stated
Assembly Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian.
On Saturday, Assembly members gathered for the Annual Members and Board of
Trustees Meeting. The meeting featured reports from Board of Trustees
Co-Chairmen Van Krikorian and Anthony Barsamian, and other board members
and staff. During his report, Barsamian discussed the make-up of the newly
elected Board of Trustees as well as the program direction the board is
setting. Krikorian discussed the Assembly budget and motioned for the
passage of a resolution recognizing Hirair and Anna Hovnanian's decades of
dedication and contribution to Armenian Americans and Armenians around the
world, which was passed with unanimous consent. Mr. Hovnanian will assume
the title of Assembly Chairman Emeritus on May 1, 2015.
`We are honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of guiding
the
Armenian Assembly in this historic year,' stated Assembly Board of
Trustees
Chairmen Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. `Everyone in our organization
is working with heightened commitment to ensuring that the centennial
events mark a significant step toward US and international affirmation of
the Armenian Genocide,' Barsamian and Krikorian said.
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny discussed a wide range of
Assembly events and activities that have already taken place and are
currently planned around the United States. Ardouny illustrated the
leadership role of the Assembly on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. He highlighted key individuals involved in centennial
activities, such as Assembly Trustee Taleen Yacoubian, a Co-Chair of the
West Coast Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, Assembly Board Co-Chair
Anthony Barsamian and Assembly Trustee James Kalustian, who serve as
Co-Chairs of the Massachusetts Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee,
Assembly Communications Director Taniel Koushakjian, who serves on the
executive committee of the South Florida Armenian Genocide Centennial
Committee, and Assembly staff in Washington, DC that are involved in the
National Armenian Genocide Centennial planning for May 7-9, 2015 in our
nation's capital.
Ardouny also discussed the Assembly's legislative efforts on Capitol Hill,
specifically the introduction of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Truth and
Justice Resolution, letters to President Obama from House and Senate
legislators, and Assembly testimony before the House Appropriations
Committee outlining the Assembly's nine policy priorities on behalf of the
Armenian American community.
Assembly Board of Trustees Treasurer Bianka Kadian-Dodov presented an
expanded Assembly operations budget for 2015-2016 which the trustees
unanimously approved. Assembly Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar
briefed members on the activities and role of the Armenia Tree Project. Dr.
Rouben Adalian, Director of the Armenian National Institute (ANI), also
updated Assembly members, specifically discussing the four digital exhibits
produced by ANI that are now available free of charge for the purpose of
Armenian Genocide education. Adalian noted that the four exhibits had been
downloaded over 200,000 times, with over three million hits registered
annually to the ANI website since the launch of the first exhibit in 2013.
After lunch, members and guests reconvened for the Assembly's Armenian
Genocide Symposium, entitled "A Century of Genocide: The 1915 Armenian
Genocide and Its Lasting Impact." The symposium featured ANI Director Dr.
Rouben Adalian, Dr. Rosanna Gatens, Director of the Center for Holocaust
and Human Rights Education at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton,
Florida, and Hannibal Travis, Professor of Law at Florida International
University College of Law in Miami, Florida. Dr. Adalian presented the
topic "The Armenian Genocide as a Prototype of 20th Century Mass Killings."
Dr. Gatens discussed "The Impact of the Armenian Genocide on Holocaust
Education," and Professor Hannibal Travis presented "The Armenian Genocide
as a Political Act and International Crime." Assembly Board President
Carolyn Mugar opened the panel and introduced Assembly Trustee Marta
Batmasian who moderated the discussion.
On Saturday night, Assembly members and friends gathered for a delightful
cocktail reception where guests discussed their impressions of the Assembly
activities from the weekend. Following the reception, attendees enjoyed a
wonderful dinner and dancing with live music by Dick Barsamian, Leon
Janikian, Mike Gregian, and John Arzigian who performed traditional and
contemporary Armenian songs.
`We are grateful to all of our organizers, participants, attendees, and
sponsors for making this year's annual members meeting a resounding
success,' stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
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 non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR: # 2015-017
Photo Caption 1: (L-R) Standing: Assembly Board Members Toros Sahakian,
Oscar Torosian, Board Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny, Board Co-Chair Van Krikorian; Seated: Board President Carolyn
Mugar, Board Treasurer Bianka Kadian-Dodov, Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian,
and author Irene Vosbikian
Photo Caption 2: Guests at the Assembly's Annual Members Weekend Welcome
Reception.
Photo Caption 3: Guests at the Assembly's Annual Members Weekend Welcome
Reception.
Photo Caption 4: (L-R) Dr. Rouben Adalian, Marta Batmasian, Hannibal
Travis, Dr. Rosanna Gatens.
(Photographs by Bedo Der-Bedrosian on behalf of the Armenian Assembly of
America)
Available online at: http://bit.ly/1IVX1Oq
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
Date: April 2, 2015
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA HOLDS ANNUAL MEMBERS WEEKEND IN SOUTH FLORIDA
ON EVE OF GENOCIDE CENTENNIAL
WASHINGTON, DC - Last month, the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly)
held its annual Members Meeting in Boca Raton, Florida on March 13-14,
2015. Organized by the Assembly's South Florida Regional Council (SFRC)
Chair Carol Norigian, and Assembly Board of Trustees member Lu Ann Ohanian,
the annual members weekend included a two-day program of meetings,
receptions, events, and a unique academic symposium on the Armenian
Genocide.
The success of the Assembly's annual members weekend was ensured thanks to
the generosity of Gold sponsors Hirair and Anna Hovnanian Foundation, Edele
Hovnanian, Harry and Edna Keleshian, Carolyn Mugar, Lu Ann and Bruce
Ohanian, Gail and Richard O'Reilly, George Pagoumian, Toros Sahakian, Joyce
and Joe Stein, Peter and Irene Vosbikian, Silver sponsors Michael and Marie
Haratunian, Mrs. Michael Ohanian, Takouhi and Arshag Tarpinian, and Bronze
sponsors George M. Jamgochian, James Kalustian, Oscar Tatosian, and Thomas
G. Varbedian, M.D.
The weekend kicked off with a welcome reception on Friday night featuring
BEDROS author Irene Vosbikian. Newly elected Assembly Board of Trustees
Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, welcomed Assembly members and guests to the
annual event. Assembly board member Lu Ann Ohanian introduced Irene
Vosbikian and read passages from her book, which details the life of her
father-in-law, who survived the Armenian Genocide and made a new life in
America. Vosbikian signed copies for guests who purchased the book with all
proceeds benefitting the Armenian Assembly of America.
`The Assembly is thankful to Irene and Peter Vosbikian for their
contribution and support,' stated Assembly Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian. `We
were moved by the resilience of Bedros Vosbikian in his escape from the
Armenian Genocide and his journey to America, and we especially enjoyed
hearing Peter and Irene's story of love, sacrifice, and triumph,' stated
Assembly Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian.
On Saturday, Assembly members gathered for the Annual Members and Board of
Trustees Meeting. The meeting featured reports from Board of Trustees
Co-Chairmen Van Krikorian and Anthony Barsamian, and other board members
and staff. During his report, Barsamian discussed the make-up of the newly
elected Board of Trustees as well as the program direction the board is
setting. Krikorian discussed the Assembly budget and motioned for the
passage of a resolution recognizing Hirair and Anna Hovnanian's decades of
dedication and contribution to Armenian Americans and Armenians around the
world, which was passed with unanimous consent. Mr. Hovnanian will assume
the title of Assembly Chairman Emeritus on May 1, 2015.
`We are honored to be entrusted with the responsibility of guiding
the
Armenian Assembly in this historic year,' stated Assembly Board of
Trustees
Chairmen Anthony Barsamian and Van Krikorian. `Everyone in our organization
is working with heightened commitment to ensuring that the centennial
events mark a significant step toward US and international affirmation of
the Armenian Genocide,' Barsamian and Krikorian said.
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny discussed a wide range of
Assembly events and activities that have already taken place and are
currently planned around the United States. Ardouny illustrated the
leadership role of the Assembly on the eve of the 100th anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide. He highlighted key individuals involved in centennial
activities, such as Assembly Trustee Taleen Yacoubian, a Co-Chair of the
West Coast Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee, Assembly Board Co-Chair
Anthony Barsamian and Assembly Trustee James Kalustian, who serve as
Co-Chairs of the Massachusetts Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee,
Assembly Communications Director Taniel Koushakjian, who serves on the
executive committee of the South Florida Armenian Genocide Centennial
Committee, and Assembly staff in Washington, DC that are involved in the
National Armenian Genocide Centennial planning for May 7-9, 2015 in our
nation's capital.
Ardouny also discussed the Assembly's legislative efforts on Capitol Hill,
specifically the introduction of H. Res. 154, the Armenian Truth and
Justice Resolution, letters to President Obama from House and Senate
legislators, and Assembly testimony before the House Appropriations
Committee outlining the Assembly's nine policy priorities on behalf of the
Armenian American community.
Assembly Board of Trustees Treasurer Bianka Kadian-Dodov presented an
expanded Assembly operations budget for 2015-2016 which the trustees
unanimously approved. Assembly Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar
briefed members on the activities and role of the Armenia Tree Project. Dr.
Rouben Adalian, Director of the Armenian National Institute (ANI), also
updated Assembly members, specifically discussing the four digital exhibits
produced by ANI that are now available free of charge for the purpose of
Armenian Genocide education. Adalian noted that the four exhibits had been
downloaded over 200,000 times, with over three million hits registered
annually to the ANI website since the launch of the first exhibit in 2013.
After lunch, members and guests reconvened for the Assembly's Armenian
Genocide Symposium, entitled "A Century of Genocide: The 1915 Armenian
Genocide and Its Lasting Impact." The symposium featured ANI Director Dr.
Rouben Adalian, Dr. Rosanna Gatens, Director of the Center for Holocaust
and Human Rights Education at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton,
Florida, and Hannibal Travis, Professor of Law at Florida International
University College of Law in Miami, Florida. Dr. Adalian presented the
topic "The Armenian Genocide as a Prototype of 20th Century Mass Killings."
Dr. Gatens discussed "The Impact of the Armenian Genocide on Holocaust
Education," and Professor Hannibal Travis presented "The Armenian Genocide
as a Political Act and International Crime." Assembly Board President
Carolyn Mugar opened the panel and introduced Assembly Trustee Marta
Batmasian who moderated the discussion.
On Saturday night, Assembly members and friends gathered for a delightful
cocktail reception where guests discussed their impressions of the Assembly
activities from the weekend. Following the reception, attendees enjoyed a
wonderful dinner and dancing with live music by Dick Barsamian, Leon
Janikian, Mike Gregian, and John Arzigian who performed traditional and
contemporary Armenian songs.
`We are grateful to all of our organizers, participants, attendees, and
sponsors for making this year's annual members meeting a resounding
success,' stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
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 non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR: # 2015-017
Photo Caption 1: (L-R) Standing: Assembly Board Members Toros Sahakian,
Oscar Torosian, Board Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny, Board Co-Chair Van Krikorian; Seated: Board President Carolyn
Mugar, Board Treasurer Bianka Kadian-Dodov, Board Member Lu Ann Ohanian,
and author Irene Vosbikian
Photo Caption 2: Guests at the Assembly's Annual Members Weekend Welcome
Reception.
Photo Caption 3: Guests at the Assembly's Annual Members Weekend Welcome
Reception.
Photo Caption 4: (L-R) Dr. Rouben Adalian, Marta Batmasian, Hannibal
Travis, Dr. Rosanna Gatens.
(Photographs by Bedo Der-Bedrosian on behalf of the Armenian Assembly of
America)
Available online at: http://bit.ly/1IVX1Oq
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress