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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA CELEBRATES HOLIDAY SEASON WITH MEMBERS, ACTIVISTS
WASHINGTON, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). The Armenian Assembly of
America (AAA) held a series of holiday events across the U.S. this
month, thanking friends and members for their support throughout the
year and encouraging their continued activism in strengthening the
U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Karabakh relationships in the year ahead.
On December 12, supporters in the nation's capital were briefed by
Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD), who spoke
about the importance of grassroots activism and reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide.
"We have an obligation not to give up," Van Hollen told supporters at
the Armenian Embassy. "We must make sure that the world never forgets."
According to the AAA, the afternoon program, which was led by Board
of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah and Capital Region Host Committee
Members Clara Andonian and Doris George, included remarks by Armenia's
Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Arman Kirakossian and Assembly Executive
Director Ross Vartian. The event, which was organized by members of
the Assembly's Capital Region Host Committee, also included a slide
presentation of presidential photos by White House photographer Joyce
Naltchayan Boghosian.
>>From his home base in Massachusetts, Board of Directors Chairman
Anthony Barsamian participated in events in Arlington and Charlestown,
as well as an event in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Starting in Rhode
Island on December 7, Barsamian joined Board of Directors Member
Corinne Heditsian and RI District Chair Nathalie Yaghoobian in honoring
outgoing District Chair Jake Harpootian. A Fellow Trustee since 1991,
Harpootian was credited with rallying local activists and advocating
for congressional support of Armenian-American issues. That event was
organized and led by Development Co-Chair Lu Ann Ohanian and the New
England Regional Council.
The Council's two other events were held at the Armenian Cultural
Center in Arlington and at the Meze Restaurant in Charlestown. The
first event held on December 8, welcomed Board of Trustees President
Carolyn Mugar and local officials including State Representative
Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown.) The second event, dubbed the
"The Next Leadership Group Party," was a holiday mixer for young
professionals. Held on December 9, the event was organized by
Assembly supporter Joanne Tashjian and her children, Christopher,
Joy and Noelle. The events in New England also included a year-end
update from Executive Director Vartian.
The Assembly's Great Lakes Regional Council hosted its annual holiday
event at Council Chairman Edgar Hagopian's Roche Bobois store in
Novi, Michigan on December 5. More than 80 people turned out for the
event which included legislative briefings by Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) and Board Chairman
Barsamian. Guests also included State Representative Shelly Taub
(R-Bloomfield Hills) and several other community leaders. The Great
Lakes Regional Council assisted in planning the evening.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles-area supporters kicked-off the season
with a reception at the Four Season's Hotel on December 3. Assembly
Western Office Chairman Richard Mushegain and Board Member Lisa
Kalustian welcomed 60 area supporters to the event, which included
a briefing by Mushegain on the Assembly's legislative achievements
in 2004.
Also in California, Assembly Life Trustees Roger Strauch and Dr. Julie
Kulhanjian Strauch opened their suburban Piedmont home on December
5, helping the Assembly and its members celebrate another successful
year. Among the highlights of the evening was a presentation by Roger
Strauch on the organization's achievements in the San Francisco Bay
Area. Deputy Executive Director Peter Abajian was also on hand to
provide a report on the Assembly's national activities.
WASHINGTON, December 17 (Noyan Tapan). The Armenian Assembly of
America (AAA) held a series of holiday events across the U.S. this
month, thanking friends and members for their support throughout the
year and encouraging their continued activism in strengthening the
U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Karabakh relationships in the year ahead.
On December 12, supporters in the nation's capital were briefed by
Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD), who spoke
about the importance of grassroots activism and reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide.
"We have an obligation not to give up," Van Hollen told supporters at
the Armenian Embassy. "We must make sure that the world never forgets."
According to the AAA, the afternoon program, which was led by Board
of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah and Capital Region Host Committee
Members Clara Andonian and Doris George, included remarks by Armenia's
Ambassador to the U.S. Dr. Arman Kirakossian and Assembly Executive
Director Ross Vartian. The event, which was organized by members of
the Assembly's Capital Region Host Committee, also included a slide
presentation of presidential photos by White House photographer Joyce
Naltchayan Boghosian.
>>From his home base in Massachusetts, Board of Directors Chairman
Anthony Barsamian participated in events in Arlington and Charlestown,
as well as an event in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Starting in Rhode
Island on December 7, Barsamian joined Board of Directors Member
Corinne Heditsian and RI District Chair Nathalie Yaghoobian in honoring
outgoing District Chair Jake Harpootian. A Fellow Trustee since 1991,
Harpootian was credited with rallying local activists and advocating
for congressional support of Armenian-American issues. That event was
organized and led by Development Co-Chair Lu Ann Ohanian and the New
England Regional Council.
The Council's two other events were held at the Armenian Cultural
Center in Arlington and at the Meze Restaurant in Charlestown. The
first event held on December 8, welcomed Board of Trustees President
Carolyn Mugar and local officials including State Representative
Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown.) The second event, dubbed the
"The Next Leadership Group Party," was a holiday mixer for young
professionals. Held on December 9, the event was organized by
Assembly supporter Joanne Tashjian and her children, Christopher,
Joy and Noelle. The events in New England also included a year-end
update from Executive Director Vartian.
The Assembly's Great Lakes Regional Council hosted its annual holiday
event at Council Chairman Edgar Hagopian's Roche Bobois store in
Novi, Michigan on December 5. More than 80 people turned out for the
event which included legislative briefings by Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) and Board Chairman
Barsamian. Guests also included State Representative Shelly Taub
(R-Bloomfield Hills) and several other community leaders. The Great
Lakes Regional Council assisted in planning the evening.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles-area supporters kicked-off the season
with a reception at the Four Season's Hotel on December 3. Assembly
Western Office Chairman Richard Mushegain and Board Member Lisa
Kalustian welcomed 60 area supporters to the event, which included
a briefing by Mushegain on the Assembly's legislative achievements
in 2004.
Also in California, Assembly Life Trustees Roger Strauch and Dr. Julie
Kulhanjian Strauch opened their suburban Piedmont home on December
5, helping the Assembly and its members celebrate another successful
year. Among the highlights of the evening was a presentation by Roger
Strauch on the organization's achievements in the San Francisco Bay
Area. Deputy Executive Director Peter Abajian was also on hand to
provide a report on the Assembly's national activities.