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ANC ALBANY: Armenian Genocide Commemorated In Upstate New York

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  • ANC ALBANY: Armenian Genocide Commemorated In Upstate New York

    Armenian National Committee of Albany
    7 Washington Avenue
    Albany, NY 12205
    [email protected]
    www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    May 14, 2004
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

    Contact: Antranig Karageozian
    [email protected]


    ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK

    TROY, NY--On April 23, over 100 individuals from around upstate New
    York gathered at Troy City Hall to commemorate the Armenian Genocide,
    reported the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Albany. Among the
    dignitaries who participated in the remembrance were Congressman
    Michael McNulty (D-NY), Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, and Watervliet
    Mayor Robert Carlson.

    During the commemoration, Congressman McNulty spoke about the
    devastating impact of the Armenian Genocide, which is still felt by
    Armenians worldwide--89 years after the fact--and commended Armenian
    Americans for being able to establish prosperous communities across the
    US. The Congressman, a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
    Issues, also touched upon his record of support on issues of concern
    to Armenian Americans, noting that he is a current cosponsor of the
    House Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193). Congressman McNulty closed his
    remarks by informing the gathering that he would continue to support
    Armenian Genocide recognition efforts.

    Mayor Harry Tutunjian, the first-term mayor of the City of Troy,
    described the recent progress on the international recognition of
    the Armenian Genocide--the recognition of this great crime against
    humanity by the Canadian Parliament, Switzerland, New York Times,
    and several states across the United States. He continued by stating
    that Armenians are a proud people who work hard and do not give up.
    The Mayor further remarked that Armenians are looking for a better
    future but refuse to forget the past.

    Following Mayor Tutunjian, Watervliet Mayor Robert Carlson presented
    a proclamation recalling the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during
    the first genocide of the 20th Century.

    Community leaders also spoke during the ceremony at Troy City Hall.
    Among those speaking were: Co-Chairman of the ANC of Albany Antranig
    Karageozian, Chairman of the Albany Homenetmen Leo Ohanian, and
    Chairman of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) "Shoushi" Albany
    Chapter Aramig Barkamian. Following the commemoration, the Albany
    Homenetmen Chapter hosted a memorial dinner. During the dinner,
    Raffi Mahserdjian of the ANC of Albany presented a slide show on the
    Armenian Genocide.

    The ANC Albany also hosted several other events, including a movie
    night on April 24. Apo Torosyan's "Discovering My Fathers Village"
    and J. Michael Hagopian's "Germany and the Secret Genocide," were
    shown at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church. Over 75 community
    members attended the screening. Following the movies, Stepan and His
    Band performed a concert of revolutionary songs.

    On April 25, after the annual Requiem Service, in memory of the
    victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, at Holy Cross,
    the Albany AYF held a memoriam where each AYF member read brief
    descriptions of specific events, which occurred during 1915 and 1923.

    Finally, on April 26, Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY), several State
    Assembly members, and the Armenian American community of upstate New
    York attended a rally at the State Capitol building steps.

    "Unfortunately, and sadly, the Armenian Genocide was a precursor to
    some of the worst horrific treatments of human beings in mankind's
    history: the Holocaust, Cambodia, and Rwanda are all the unwanted
    stepchildren of the Turkish massacre of the Armenians" stated
    Congressman Sweeney, one of two Congressional Members who is of
    Armenian descent.

    A member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Congressman
    Sweeney has and continues to support numerous Armenian American
    concerns. A cosponsor of H.Res.193, he most recently cosigned a
    Congressional letter urging President George W. Bush to keep his
    campaign pledge to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as
    "genocide" in his annual April 24 statement.

    Closing the rally was Assemblymember Ronald Canestrari (D-Albany)
    who presented the Armenian American community with a resolution,
    passed by the New York State Senate and Assembly, in recognition of
    the Armenian Genocide.

    "All our events could not have been successful if it wasn't for the
    support of the community," said ANC of Albany Co-Chairman Antranig
    Karageozian. "Although we are a small community, we remain active. All
    the Armenian American organizations work well together which makes
    us a strong
    community."

    "We thank Congressmen Michael McNulty and John Sweeney, Mayor Tutunjian
    and Carlson, along with all the State Assembly members, who took the
    time out of their busy schedules and attended the various commemoration
    events. We also thank these officials for their continued support of
    the recognition of the Armenian Genocide," continued Karageozian.

    "As Mayor Tutunjian commented, we look towards the future but we
    do not forget the past. Hitler once said 'Who now remembers the
    Armenians?' Each year, the community in upstate New York can answer
    him unequivocally that we do and we will not forget," concluded ANC
    of Albany Co-Chairman Leo Ohanian.

    The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American
    grassroots political organization in New York and nationwide. The ANC
    actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian
    American community.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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