Tweet
California Courier Online, November 16, 2006
1 - Commentary
Turks and Azeris Are in Frenzy
Following Democrats' Victory
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 - AEUNA Ordains Aren Balabanian
To Pastoral Ministry in Fresno
3 - Prof. Hovannisian's Presentation
Draws SRO Crowd in Glendale
4 - 'A Photographic History of Armenians'
Hosted Nov. 19 at Ararat-Eskijian Museum
5- Textbook Battle Winners Will Write History
6 - Nearly $8 Million in NY Life Checks
Sent to More than 2,500 Victims' Heirs
7 - 2nd Int'l Medical Congress of Armenia
Will Take Place in Yerevan in June
8 - Pres. Ghoukasian to Speak at L.A.
World Affairs Council Program
9 - Southland's Cabraloff, Gabriel, and Kazarian Families Honor
Grandfather's Memory by Renovating Ancestral Village School
******************************************* ***********************
1 - Commentary
Turks and Azeris Are in Frenzy
Following Democrats' Victory
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
The takeover by the Democratic Party of not just the House of
Representatives, but the Senate as well, stunned the world, particularly Turkey and
Azerbaijan.
The neo-cons in control of the White House finally lost many of their
partners in the U.S. Congress. This means that they can no longer call all the shots
and will have to compromise their extreme positions on both foreign and
domestic policy.
The Armenian American community, indeed the Armenian Diaspora, along with the
American public and the rest of the world, are elated by this change in
power, as they have suffered enough at the hands of the neo-cons in the past six
years.
The Armenian appetite was whetted ever since Cong. Nancy Pelosi (Dem-CA)
issued a statement to this writer right before the November 7 elections saying: "I
have supported legislation ... that would properly acknowledge the Armenian
genocide. It is imperative that the United States recognize this atrocity and
move to renew our commitment to eliminate genocide whenever and wherever it
exists. This effort enjoys strong bipartisan support in the House, and I will
continue to support these efforts in the 110th Congress," Pelosi said.
This is the first time a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues is slated to become the Speaker of the House, ousting Cong. Dennis Hastert
(Rep.-Illinois) who has been dead set on blocking the Armenian Genocide
resolution pending in the House in various permutations over the past six years. Of
course, there are no guaranties in politics. Armenians have been disappointed
many times before when pledges made in the heat of a campaign have evaporated
under pressure from cold realities of the political world.
There are many twists and turns to overcome before the expected passage of a
congressional resolution on the Armenian Genocide. The resolution has to be
submitted to the House International Relations Committee all over again. Should
it make it through that committee, it is expected that the Speaker Pelosi will
bring it to the House floor for a vote, in which case it would pass with the
overwhelming majority of the votes.
Given many previous disappointments, it may be wise for Armenian Americans
and Armenians worldwide to approach this issue with some caution, particularly
since the eventual passage of this resolution would add nothing new to the
Armenian Cause. As I have mentioned on many occasions before, the U.S. House of
Representatives has passed a similar resolution on the Armenian Genocide both in
1975 and 1984. Furthermore, Pres. Ronald Reagan issued a Presidential
Proclamation back in 1981 make a reference to the Armenian Genocide.
The only merit to its passage would be the fact that it would settle scores
with Speaker Hastert and Pres. Bush who had promised to recognize the Armenian
Genocide before being elected to his first term in office. Another possible
benefit would be to drive Turkish and Azeri leaders out of their minds, as they
have been in an absolute frenzy ever since Cong. Pelosi made her pledge on the
Armenian Genocide resolution. There have been dozens of articles in the
Turkish and Azeri press lamenting the fact that pro-Armenian members of Congress
have been elected to leadership positions in various committees. Since the
Democrats control both Houses of Congress, they will be the committee chairmen and
set the agenda. As such, they would have the power to hold special hearings on
many neo-con shenanigans, from the war in Iraq to accusations of Turkish
circles bribing Speaker Hastert.
The other major success on November 7 was the re-election of Sen. Robert
Menendez (Dem.-N.J.) who won in a very tight race. The Armenian voters in that
State played a key role in his victory by campaigning and voting for him in large
numbers. The State Dept. would have loved to see him defeated in order to
release the hold he had placed on Richard Hoagland, the Ambassador Designate for
Armenia.
Finally, the overwhelming majority of the House Armenian Caucus members were
reelected, including the two co-chairs, Cong. Frank Pallone (Dem.-N.J.) and
Joe Knollenberg (Rep.-Michigan). Armenian lobbying groups should continue their
admirable effort to increase the number of Armenian Caucus members to 218 --
the majority of House members.
***************************************** *********************************
2 - AEUNA Ordains Aren Balabanian
To Pastoral Ministry in Fresno
FRESNO - The Armenian Evangelical Union of North America has ordained a
longtime Silicon Valley resident to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament and
installed him as Associate Pastor of California's oldest Armenian Church.
The AEUNA ordained Aren Balabanian to his sacred office during divine
services on Sunday afternoon, October 22, 2006, at the First Armenian Presbyterian
Church of Fresno. The Evangelical Union, an ecclesiastical confederation of
churches, missions, and fellowships in the United States and Canada, also
installed Balabanian as Associate Pastor of the historic Fresno congregation.
Reverend Balabanian was born in Aleppo, Syria on August 12, 1980 to Rafi
Balabanian, D.D.S., and the former Nora Nazarian, M.D. The family immigrated to
the United States in 1989 and settled in Santa Clara County, where Balabanian's
sister, Jenny, was born.
Balabanian received his early education at Anderson Elementary School,
Joaquin Miller Middle School, and Lynbrook High School, all in San Jose. He
completed his undergraduate education at the University of California at Los Angeles,
earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 2002.
After preparing for a career in law, Balabanian received a call to ministry
and enrolled at the Talbot School of Theology, a graduate school of Biola
University in La Mirada. He completed the three-year program in May 2005, earned a
Masters Degree in Divinity, and received the Dean's Award for showing
"excellence in academic studies, faithfulness in Christian Service, and in whose life
the love of Jesus is reflected."
An active member of Calvary Armenian Congregational Church of San Francisco,
Balabanian served as Youth Director of Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church
of Downey (Fall 2002-December 2003) and College/Career Director of the
Armenian Evangelical Brethren Church of Los Angeles (February 2005-May 2005).
>From 2004 to 2006, Balabanian served as National Youth Representative to the
AEUNA Board of Directors. In July 2006 he was elected member-at-large of the
Board of Directors. Engaged to marry Miss Alina Melkonian of Fresno, the new
Associate Pastor has interests ranging from public policy and government to
theology to professional sports.
More than 400 members and friends of the Fresno congregation witnessed the
new Associate Pastor's service of ordination and installation and shared in a
fellowship reception that concluded the afternoon.
A dozen active and retired ministers attended to the laying on of hands.
Officiants at the service included Shant Abajian, Pastoral Intern of the Armenian
Christian Fellowship of Orange County; Reverend Karl V. Avakian, Immediate
Past Minister to the AEUNA; and the Ordinand's uncle, Reverend Nerses Balabanian
of the Calvary Armenian Congregational Church of San Francisco.
Other officiants included Reverend Bernard Guekguezian, Pastor Emeritus of
the host congregation; Reverend Jason Matossian, Pastor of Christian Education
at the United Armenian Congregational Church of Los Angeles; Reverend Joseph
Matossian, current Minister to the AEUNA; Reverend Mgrdich Melkonian, Senior
Pastor of the host congregation; Reverend Steven D. Muncherian, Senior Pastor of
the Evangelical Free Church of Merced; and Reverend Ronald Tovmassian,
Moderator of the AEUNA.
Lay Elders Steven Vartabedian and Edward Saliba participated on behalf of the
FAPC Session and Membership. Jane S. Bedrosian, Director of Music
Ministries, and Marilyn Mitchell, Organist, led the worship team at the special service.
************************************************** ***********************
3 - Prof. Hovannisian's Presentation
Draws SRO Crowd in Glendale
GLENDALE - On the evening of November 1, an extraordinary lecture event took
place in the Glendale Central Library, organized by the Armenian Educational
Foundation. The evening was exceptional, since even before the announced hour
for the lecture, the auditorium was filled to capacity and people were standing
along the walls, while many others remained outside trying to get permission
to enter, which unfortunately was denied by the fire marshal. The evening was
also exceptional, because the people had come not simply for a lecture (as is
known lectures at present do not draw such crowds), but rather, filled with
longing, to become a companion of the speaker as he walked in the footsteps of
his forebears.
The lecturer was Professor Richard Hovannisian, the A.E.F Chair Holder in
Modern Armenian History at UCLA. His subject was "The Vanishing Landscape of
Historic Western Armenia." He was introduced by former president and present
executive board member of the A.E.F, Nora Sahagian.
Thereafter in a spellbinding and absorbing presentation, the lecturer spoke
in Armenian and English for 90 minutes with projected illustrations, leading
the riveted audience from Trebizond to Gumushkhane, Bayburt (Baberd) Erzerum
(Garin), Kemakh, Agn, and Kharpert and further to Palu, Mush, Bitlis, and Van.
Having studied for many years the towns and villages, the mountains and plains
of Western Armenia, the scholar for the first time felt under his feet and saw
with his eyes the imagined unimaginable-the ruined homeland and the vanishing
traces of thousands of years of Armenian history. He met the Turk still
fearful of relinquishing his confiscated possessions to Armenians, and he met the
Kurd, who expressed sorrow and remorse for the massacres. And finally he met
the converted ("tardzats") Armenian, who is reclaiming his ethnic identity but
who knows no Armenian and remains a devout Muslim.
Professor Hovannisian undertook this journey-or pilgrimage-with his wife,
Vartiter, and with Professor Fatma Muge Gocek, who is among the Turkish scholars
who reject the official Turkish state narrative of what occurred in 1915. That
in itself was an extraordinary thing for the professor, who for the first
time was stepping foot in the homeland in the company of a Turkish colleague and
a Turkified half-Armenian guide (along with two members of the Turkish
Armenian newspaper Agos).
Both with deep emotion and a strong command of history, the illustrated
presentation, sometimes sad, sometimes inspiring, was followed by a torrent of
questions and comments from the impassioned audience.
To the last question from a student about what would be the professor's
single most important bidding, Richard Hovannisian replied that it is essential for
our generations to study and learn how it was that, despite the numerous
calamities, massacres, and deportations down through the centuries, the Armenian
people were able to survive through it all. It is essential to discover and
cling to the "national secret" for the sake of the future.
************************************************** ************************
4 - 'A Photographic History of Armenians'
Hosted Nov. 19 at Ararat-Eskijian Museum
MISSION HILLS, CA - The illustrated and interactive program "A PHOTOGRAPHIC
HISTORY OF ARMENIANS: From Empires to Diaspora" will take place at the
Ararat-Eskijian Museum on Nov. 19, at 4 pm. Founder and Executive Director of
Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives, Ruth Thomasian will discuss this rare
archival treasure and its methods, as well as present a dynamic illustrated
lecture about Armenians. The program will also include a Photographs Road Show
with audience participation. A reception will immediately follow the program.
The slide presentation will include 19th-early 20th century images of
families and towns in historic Armenia during the Ottoman, Russian, and Persian
empires. More recent images of Armenians in America and throughout the Diaspora
will also be shown. To understand the historical value of these photographs as
well as Project SAVE's critical mission, Thomasian will discuss collecting and
documenting photographs, archival methods, oral documentation procedures,
dating of images, and the issue of originals vs. copies.
Another exciting part of the program will be the Photographs Road Show.
Thomasian invites the audience to bring family photographs for her to examine and
identify their historical significance. One of the most gratifying aspects of
Thomasian's work is the dialogue initiated by these treasured photographs, in
other words, "seeing and hearing history unfold in front of you as a photo
donor shares a family photograph and the stories that go with it."
Located in Watertown, MA, Project SAVE was founded in 1975 by Thomasian.
While pursuing a career as a theatrical costume designer in New York City,
she became aware that there was scarcely any visual material available to
research costumes for Armenian plays set in historic Armenia within the 19th and
early 20th centuries. Project SAVE collects and documents photographs of Armenian
people and places.
According to Thomasian, "Project SAVE fills the human need to have knowledge
of ones ancestors and an understanding of where they have come from and how
they have lived their lives-in a way so that we can live our lives in harmony
with that heritage." From its modest beginnings, Project SAVE is now a
privately held but publicly accessible archive of approximately 25,000 images that
represent the heritage of Armenians not only in "the old country" but also in the
United States and the worldwide Armenian Diaspora.
Thomasian received a B.A. in History and Education from Albion College in
Michigan, and an M.S. in Communications Management from Simmons College, Boston.
Her work with Project SAVE has earned her numerous awards, including Haig
Garabed Sarafian Award (Armenian Students' Association, 1984), Jack H. Kolligian
Award (National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, 1985),
Community Folklore Scholar (Smithsonian Institution, 1989), Smithsonian Delegate
(International Folklore Conference, 1990), and Woman of Achievement Award (Armenian
International Women's Association, 1994). She is a former President of the
Photographic Historical Society of New England and currently the co-editor of
the society's New England Journal of Photographic History. She is also a
member of the New England Archivists and the Society of American Archivists.
Project SAVE is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization entirely funded by
generous individuals, foundations, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Project SAVE appreciates receiving original photographs as a donation or on
loan, and welcomes volunteers to assist with archival and administrative tasks.
For more information: (617) 923-4542; [email protected];
www.projectsave.org; P.O. Box 236, Watertown, MA 02471-0236.
The Ararat-Eskijian Museum is located on the grounds of the Ararat Home of
Los Angeles at 15105 Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, CA 91345.
For more information, call AEM (818) 838-4862 or visit
www.ararat-eskijian-museum.com. Free admission and parking.
********'******************************** *********************************
5 - Textbook Battle Winners Will Write History
By Michael Doyle
Fresno Bee
WASHINGTON - A textbook battle is pitting Americans of Armenian and Turkish
descent against one another in a federal courtroom.
The winner will write history.
And though the fight may seem far away, it's captivating California's
politically vocal Armenian-American community.
"Most people who are interested in Armenian politics know about it," said
Hygo Ohannessian, chairwoman of the Fresno-based Central California chapter of
the Armenian National Committee of America.
Ohannessian and her allies are waiting on US. District Judge Mark Wolf in
Boston. For the past year, Wolf has overseen a lawsuit challenging the way
Massachusetts high school study guides handle the horrific events of 1915-23.
Genocide, Armenians and many historians call it. By some counts, upward of
1.5 million Armenians died at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Turks and
Armenians have disputed how to characterize the tragic events.
"If the Turks win this, they are going to challenge textbooks in other
states," predicted Ohannes Boghossian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee's
Sacramento chapter.
But in its lawsuit filed last October, the Assembly of Turkish American
Associations claims Massachusetts capitulated to Armenian-American pressure and
"purged" the state's study guides of any material challenging Armenian claims.
"This case is not about whether there was or was not an Armenian genocide,"
attorney Harvey Silverglate said in an interview this week, "but rather, about
whether teachers and students are going to be able to study and discuss the
question without undue political interference."
Undeniably, Armenian-Americans wield political clout, particularly in areas
such as the San Joaquin Valley, with large ethnic populations.
The leading Republican author of a commemorative Armenian genocide resolution
offered this Congress is Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa.
But Turkey, too, flexes political muscle. While Radanovich's current Armenian
genocide resolution has 159 House co-sponsors, similar resolutions have been
consistently blocked by presidents of both parties.
With lifetime tenure and 21 years on the federal bench, Wolf is shielded from
overt pressure. Still, his next decision remains closely watched, as he
considers whether to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Silverglate on behalf of the
Turkish American associations.
In 1999, an initial version of the Massachusetts study guide cited reference
materials that reflected Turkish views challenging the genocide argument.
These were optional references, not required to be taught.
"These viewpoints contend ... that the fate of the Ottoman Armenians was the
result of a number of factors, including the Ottoman government's response to
an Armenian revolt in alliance with Russia, a tragically flawed deportation
policy and mutual wartime massacres, which brought great suffering and death to
both Ottoman Armenians and Muslims," the lawsuit argues.
But after a Massachusetts state senator complained and the Armenian-American
community mobilized, the state's education commissioner changed course. The
state subsequently deleted study guide references to Turkish sites, including
Georgetown University's Institute of Turkish Studies.
"It's fine for governments to help make history, but not to write it,"
Silverglate said. "The First Amendment is meant to provide a free marketplace of
ideas to determine truth, and history."
The Armenian National Committee and the Los Angeles-based Armenian Bar
Association have both urged Wolf in an amicus brief to toss out the case. They argue
that Massachusetts acted reasonably in omitting the Turkish perspective.
"It would be like having the Nazi Party coming in and forcing its views of
the Holocaust," Ohannessian said Tuesday.
The Armenian-Americans have strong U.S. Supreme Court precedent on their
side, which may fatally undercut Silverglate's lawsuit. The court has ruled
repeatedly, as the Armenian groups put it, that "the First Amendment places no
restraints" on the messages a government conveys.
"Courts," Massachusetts added in its own legal filing, "have no authority
either to control government speech or to second-guess curriculum decisions made
by the responsible public officials."
Armenian-Americans cite, as well, the 37 states - including California -
whose legislatures have recognized the Armenian genocide. The study guide, the
groups say, should be appreciated "in the context of this widespread official
acknowledgment" of the tragedy.
In California, Ohannessian noted, textbooks refer to the Armenian genocide -
but she and other Armenian-American activists enhance this with yearly
seminars offered to Fresno and Clovis high school students seeking extra credit.
****************************************** ********************************
6 - Nearly $8 Million in NY Life Checks
Sent to More than 2,500 Victims' Heirs
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.--Settlement checks totaling $7,954,362.24
will be distributed this week to more than 2,500 Armenian descendants of victims
massacred in the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The checks are a share of a
multi-million dollar settlement in a class action lawsuit brought against New York Life
Insurance Company for unpaid life insurance benefits. In addition, $3 million
has been already distributed to various Armenian charitable organizations
(Martin Marootian, et al. v. New York Life Insurance Company).
The board reviewed thousands of claims and found that 2,515
claims could be traced to Armenians who had purchased life insurance policies from
New York Life prior to 1915.
"We are thrilled that thousands of Armenians will finally get the
insurance compensation they deserve," says Brian Kabateck, partner with
Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP and one of the lead attorneys who represented the
Armenian heirs. "Armenians don't give up easily and this settlement is a testament
to that."
"Although compensation is about 90 years late, we're still
pleased that Armenians are receiving some of what is owed them," says Mark Geragos,
partner with Geragos & Geragos, another of the lead attorneys in the case. In
addition to Kabateck and Geragos, Vartkes Yeghiayan of Yeghiayan & Associates
represented the plaintiffs in the case. All are of Armenian decent.
Letters will be mailed to all claimants. Checks will be included
to claimants awarded compensation. Of the nearly $8 million in settlement
checks, Armenians in Armenia will receive the most ($3.4 million) followed by
Armenians in the United States ($2.6 million) and Armenians in France ($656,413).
In all, Armenians in 26 countries will receive compensation.
For questions about the settlement, contact the settlement board
at 213-327-0740.
************************************************** ************************
7 - 2nd Int'l Medical Congress of Armenia
Will Take Place in Yerevan in June
The Organizing Committee of the Second International Medical Congress of
Armenia is pleased to announce that the Congress will be held from the 28th to the
30th of June 2007. The venue of the Congress will be at the historic Armenia
Marriott Hotel on Republic Square in downtown Yerevan. We anticipate the
participation of Armenian medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists and nurses from
all over the world.
Satellite Symposia will be held during the Congress with the aim of creating
international partnership programs and providing up-to-date information to
regional doctors (marz) who will be invited separately to participate without
requiring registration. Symposia will take place in Urology, Neuroscience,
Anesthesiology, Ophthalmology, Osteoporosis, and Nursing.
Besides developing medical science in Armenia the international partnership
program is an excellent opportunity to present and discuss general
collaboration projects. Chosen sections are as follows Neurology and Mental Health,
Mother and Child Health, Public Health /Tobacco Control, Medical Education, FMF,
HIV/AIDS, Nursing, Dentistry, Oncology, Primary Health Care, Health Policy,
Internal Medicine, Surgery, Disability/ Rehabilitation, Basic Science, and
Pharmacology.
There will be a focus on medical education and the session will be lead by
the newly elected Rector (Dean) of the Medical School, Professor Gohar Kalyan
and the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, Dean of the National Institute of
Health, Dr. Derenik Doumanyan.
The third day of the conference is entirely dedicated to Diaspora-Armenia
projects and strategy of future collaboration.
An outstanding social program will be offered to participants and attendants.
The official languages of the Congress will be Armenian and English.
The deadline for the abstract submission is March 31st, 2007. Abstracts can
be submitted to [email protected]. The online abstract submission form can be
found at www.2imca.am.
For any additional information please visit the web site: www.2imca.am or
correspond with the Organizing Committee of the Congress at the above mentioned
address.
**************************************** ***********************************
8 - Pres. Ghoukasian to Speak at L.A.
World Affairs Council Program
LOS ANGELES - Nagorno-Karabagh President Arkady Ghoukasian will be the
keynote speaker at the Nov. 16 dinner program hosted by the Los Angeles World
Affairs Council at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
The World Affairs Council program regularly features world leaders such as
Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
presidents of foreign countries, major philanthropists, religious leaders and
best-selling authors.
President Ghoukasian plans to speak about Artsakh's efforts to gain
international recognition of its right to live in freedom, develop democratic
institutions and a full-fledged market economy.
Ghoukasian will also use this opportunity to share his views on the future of
Karabagh, its relations with neighboring countries, its place in the
international community and the prospects for greater US-NKR engagement.
"We encourage our Armenian American compatriots residing in the Greater Los
Angeles area to attend this unique event, thus showing your interest and
support for Artsakh, as well as your appreciation for the L.A. World Affairs Council
for hosting Artsakh's President," said Vardan Barseghian, Representative of
the NKR in Washington, DC.
The dinner program will begin at 7:30 p.m., at the Westin Bonaventure, 404 S.
Figueroa St., Los Angeles.
To register for the event, visit http://www.lawac.org/reservation.htm.
************ ************************************************** **********
9 - Southland's Cabraloff, Gabriel, and Kazarian Families Honor
Grandfather's Memory by Renovating Ancestral Village School
LOS ANGELES - In 1910, brothers Atabek and Artash Gabrielian traveled to
America leaving their home in Isahakyan Village, formally Ghazarabad, in northern
Armenia. But, even after they came to Southern California, they kept the
village alive through their children and grandchildren.
In 2004, Al Cabraloff visited his grandfather Artash's village, where Al
found a number of his relatives. During the visit, Al and his friend, Stepan
Altounian, of Whittier, Calif., were moved when they saw the dismal conditions of
the Isahakyan Village School. Returning to the United States, Al contacted
the Armenian Educational Foundation (AEF) in Glendale, and asked what it would
take to renovate the school. AEF representatives estimated the cost to be
$105,000 to renovate two of the three wings of the school. Without hesitation, Al
gave the AEF the go ahead to start the necessary construction. Al and Diane
Cabraloff, of Whititer, Calif., along with cousins Ronald Gabriel, Richard
Gabriel, Arthur and Dennis Kazarian donated all the funds needed to complete the
renovations.
In July 2006, Al, Diane, their children, Al's parents and uncle, along with
70 relatives, friends and AEF members and supporters attended the opening of
the newly renovated Isahakyan Village School.
The ceremony was extremely moving, especially with students presenting the
Cabraloffs with bouquet of flowers and recitations. Welcoming remarks were
delivered by Shirak Region Marzbed (Governor) Romik Manoukyan, and the school
principal. Armenia's Deputy Minister of Education Bagrat Assatouryan thanked the
Cabraloffs for their generous donation and the AEF for the renovation of the
school.
Al gave a memorable speech, translated into Armenian by AEF Board Member Mina
Shirvanian. Al thanked the AEF, his family and friends and gave words of
encouragement to the students and families of the Village. AEF Vice President,
Alec Baghdasaryan thanked the Cabraloffs for their generosity and noted that it
is because of individuals like Al and Diane that the AEF has renovated 150
schools in Artsakh, Javakhk and the border villages of Armenia. Village
residents were overjoyed that the children and grandchildren of their village had
returned with such amazing generosity and that Isahakyan's children were the
beneficiaries.
The AEF hosted a lunch for the guests, school administration, teachers and
village leaders in the school's newly renovated main auditorium.
As the group started to depart, the haunting view of historical Armenian
lands just a few miles away was a reminder of how precious and important Isahakyan
and other border villages are to the well being of the independent Armenia.
AEF President Vahe Hacopian wished that "the blessings these young
benefactors have brought to this village be multiplied throughout our nation and may Al
and Diane Cabraloff serve as role models for all of our younger generation."
Since 1950, the Armenian Educational Foundation, Inc. (AEF) has been the
backbone of the Armenian educational movement worldwide. It has lent a helping
hand to thousands of students and to hundreds of schools throughout the world.
During its 56 years of giving, the AEF has proven to be one of the most enduring
and productive educational organizations in the Diaspora.
For further information, contact the AEF office in Glendale at (818) 242-4154
or www.aefweb.org.
********************************** ****************************************
The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted through this
service. Information in that regard should be telephoned to (818) 409-0949;
faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to: [email protected]. Letters to the
editor concerning issues addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it
is signed by the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to verify
authorship.
************************************* *************************************
1 - Commentary
Turks and Azeris Are in Frenzy
Following Democrats' Victory
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
2 - AEUNA Ordains Aren Balabanian
To Pastoral Ministry in Fresno
3 - Prof. Hovannisian's Presentation
Draws SRO Crowd in Glendale
4 - 'A Photographic History of Armenians'
Hosted Nov. 19 at Ararat-Eskijian Museum
5- Textbook Battle Winners Will Write History
6 - Nearly $8 Million in NY Life Checks
Sent to More than 2,500 Victims' Heirs
7 - 2nd Int'l Medical Congress of Armenia
Will Take Place in Yerevan in June
8 - Pres. Ghoukasian to Speak at L.A.
World Affairs Council Program
9 - Southland's Cabraloff, Gabriel, and Kazarian Families Honor
Grandfather's Memory by Renovating Ancestral Village School
******************************************* ***********************
1 - Commentary
Turks and Azeris Are in Frenzy
Following Democrats' Victory
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
The takeover by the Democratic Party of not just the House of
Representatives, but the Senate as well, stunned the world, particularly Turkey and
Azerbaijan.
The neo-cons in control of the White House finally lost many of their
partners in the U.S. Congress. This means that they can no longer call all the shots
and will have to compromise their extreme positions on both foreign and
domestic policy.
The Armenian American community, indeed the Armenian Diaspora, along with the
American public and the rest of the world, are elated by this change in
power, as they have suffered enough at the hands of the neo-cons in the past six
years.
The Armenian appetite was whetted ever since Cong. Nancy Pelosi (Dem-CA)
issued a statement to this writer right before the November 7 elections saying: "I
have supported legislation ... that would properly acknowledge the Armenian
genocide. It is imperative that the United States recognize this atrocity and
move to renew our commitment to eliminate genocide whenever and wherever it
exists. This effort enjoys strong bipartisan support in the House, and I will
continue to support these efforts in the 110th Congress," Pelosi said.
This is the first time a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues is slated to become the Speaker of the House, ousting Cong. Dennis Hastert
(Rep.-Illinois) who has been dead set on blocking the Armenian Genocide
resolution pending in the House in various permutations over the past six years. Of
course, there are no guaranties in politics. Armenians have been disappointed
many times before when pledges made in the heat of a campaign have evaporated
under pressure from cold realities of the political world.
There are many twists and turns to overcome before the expected passage of a
congressional resolution on the Armenian Genocide. The resolution has to be
submitted to the House International Relations Committee all over again. Should
it make it through that committee, it is expected that the Speaker Pelosi will
bring it to the House floor for a vote, in which case it would pass with the
overwhelming majority of the votes.
Given many previous disappointments, it may be wise for Armenian Americans
and Armenians worldwide to approach this issue with some caution, particularly
since the eventual passage of this resolution would add nothing new to the
Armenian Cause. As I have mentioned on many occasions before, the U.S. House of
Representatives has passed a similar resolution on the Armenian Genocide both in
1975 and 1984. Furthermore, Pres. Ronald Reagan issued a Presidential
Proclamation back in 1981 make a reference to the Armenian Genocide.
The only merit to its passage would be the fact that it would settle scores
with Speaker Hastert and Pres. Bush who had promised to recognize the Armenian
Genocide before being elected to his first term in office. Another possible
benefit would be to drive Turkish and Azeri leaders out of their minds, as they
have been in an absolute frenzy ever since Cong. Pelosi made her pledge on the
Armenian Genocide resolution. There have been dozens of articles in the
Turkish and Azeri press lamenting the fact that pro-Armenian members of Congress
have been elected to leadership positions in various committees. Since the
Democrats control both Houses of Congress, they will be the committee chairmen and
set the agenda. As such, they would have the power to hold special hearings on
many neo-con shenanigans, from the war in Iraq to accusations of Turkish
circles bribing Speaker Hastert.
The other major success on November 7 was the re-election of Sen. Robert
Menendez (Dem.-N.J.) who won in a very tight race. The Armenian voters in that
State played a key role in his victory by campaigning and voting for him in large
numbers. The State Dept. would have loved to see him defeated in order to
release the hold he had placed on Richard Hoagland, the Ambassador Designate for
Armenia.
Finally, the overwhelming majority of the House Armenian Caucus members were
reelected, including the two co-chairs, Cong. Frank Pallone (Dem.-N.J.) and
Joe Knollenberg (Rep.-Michigan). Armenian lobbying groups should continue their
admirable effort to increase the number of Armenian Caucus members to 218 --
the majority of House members.
***************************************** *********************************
2 - AEUNA Ordains Aren Balabanian
To Pastoral Ministry in Fresno
FRESNO - The Armenian Evangelical Union of North America has ordained a
longtime Silicon Valley resident to the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament and
installed him as Associate Pastor of California's oldest Armenian Church.
The AEUNA ordained Aren Balabanian to his sacred office during divine
services on Sunday afternoon, October 22, 2006, at the First Armenian Presbyterian
Church of Fresno. The Evangelical Union, an ecclesiastical confederation of
churches, missions, and fellowships in the United States and Canada, also
installed Balabanian as Associate Pastor of the historic Fresno congregation.
Reverend Balabanian was born in Aleppo, Syria on August 12, 1980 to Rafi
Balabanian, D.D.S., and the former Nora Nazarian, M.D. The family immigrated to
the United States in 1989 and settled in Santa Clara County, where Balabanian's
sister, Jenny, was born.
Balabanian received his early education at Anderson Elementary School,
Joaquin Miller Middle School, and Lynbrook High School, all in San Jose. He
completed his undergraduate education at the University of California at Los Angeles,
earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science in 2002.
After preparing for a career in law, Balabanian received a call to ministry
and enrolled at the Talbot School of Theology, a graduate school of Biola
University in La Mirada. He completed the three-year program in May 2005, earned a
Masters Degree in Divinity, and received the Dean's Award for showing
"excellence in academic studies, faithfulness in Christian Service, and in whose life
the love of Jesus is reflected."
An active member of Calvary Armenian Congregational Church of San Francisco,
Balabanian served as Youth Director of Immanuel Armenian Congregational Church
of Downey (Fall 2002-December 2003) and College/Career Director of the
Armenian Evangelical Brethren Church of Los Angeles (February 2005-May 2005).
>From 2004 to 2006, Balabanian served as National Youth Representative to the
AEUNA Board of Directors. In July 2006 he was elected member-at-large of the
Board of Directors. Engaged to marry Miss Alina Melkonian of Fresno, the new
Associate Pastor has interests ranging from public policy and government to
theology to professional sports.
More than 400 members and friends of the Fresno congregation witnessed the
new Associate Pastor's service of ordination and installation and shared in a
fellowship reception that concluded the afternoon.
A dozen active and retired ministers attended to the laying on of hands.
Officiants at the service included Shant Abajian, Pastoral Intern of the Armenian
Christian Fellowship of Orange County; Reverend Karl V. Avakian, Immediate
Past Minister to the AEUNA; and the Ordinand's uncle, Reverend Nerses Balabanian
of the Calvary Armenian Congregational Church of San Francisco.
Other officiants included Reverend Bernard Guekguezian, Pastor Emeritus of
the host congregation; Reverend Jason Matossian, Pastor of Christian Education
at the United Armenian Congregational Church of Los Angeles; Reverend Joseph
Matossian, current Minister to the AEUNA; Reverend Mgrdich Melkonian, Senior
Pastor of the host congregation; Reverend Steven D. Muncherian, Senior Pastor of
the Evangelical Free Church of Merced; and Reverend Ronald Tovmassian,
Moderator of the AEUNA.
Lay Elders Steven Vartabedian and Edward Saliba participated on behalf of the
FAPC Session and Membership. Jane S. Bedrosian, Director of Music
Ministries, and Marilyn Mitchell, Organist, led the worship team at the special service.
************************************************** ***********************
3 - Prof. Hovannisian's Presentation
Draws SRO Crowd in Glendale
GLENDALE - On the evening of November 1, an extraordinary lecture event took
place in the Glendale Central Library, organized by the Armenian Educational
Foundation. The evening was exceptional, since even before the announced hour
for the lecture, the auditorium was filled to capacity and people were standing
along the walls, while many others remained outside trying to get permission
to enter, which unfortunately was denied by the fire marshal. The evening was
also exceptional, because the people had come not simply for a lecture (as is
known lectures at present do not draw such crowds), but rather, filled with
longing, to become a companion of the speaker as he walked in the footsteps of
his forebears.
The lecturer was Professor Richard Hovannisian, the A.E.F Chair Holder in
Modern Armenian History at UCLA. His subject was "The Vanishing Landscape of
Historic Western Armenia." He was introduced by former president and present
executive board member of the A.E.F, Nora Sahagian.
Thereafter in a spellbinding and absorbing presentation, the lecturer spoke
in Armenian and English for 90 minutes with projected illustrations, leading
the riveted audience from Trebizond to Gumushkhane, Bayburt (Baberd) Erzerum
(Garin), Kemakh, Agn, and Kharpert and further to Palu, Mush, Bitlis, and Van.
Having studied for many years the towns and villages, the mountains and plains
of Western Armenia, the scholar for the first time felt under his feet and saw
with his eyes the imagined unimaginable-the ruined homeland and the vanishing
traces of thousands of years of Armenian history. He met the Turk still
fearful of relinquishing his confiscated possessions to Armenians, and he met the
Kurd, who expressed sorrow and remorse for the massacres. And finally he met
the converted ("tardzats") Armenian, who is reclaiming his ethnic identity but
who knows no Armenian and remains a devout Muslim.
Professor Hovannisian undertook this journey-or pilgrimage-with his wife,
Vartiter, and with Professor Fatma Muge Gocek, who is among the Turkish scholars
who reject the official Turkish state narrative of what occurred in 1915. That
in itself was an extraordinary thing for the professor, who for the first
time was stepping foot in the homeland in the company of a Turkish colleague and
a Turkified half-Armenian guide (along with two members of the Turkish
Armenian newspaper Agos).
Both with deep emotion and a strong command of history, the illustrated
presentation, sometimes sad, sometimes inspiring, was followed by a torrent of
questions and comments from the impassioned audience.
To the last question from a student about what would be the professor's
single most important bidding, Richard Hovannisian replied that it is essential for
our generations to study and learn how it was that, despite the numerous
calamities, massacres, and deportations down through the centuries, the Armenian
people were able to survive through it all. It is essential to discover and
cling to the "national secret" for the sake of the future.
************************************************** ************************
4 - 'A Photographic History of Armenians'
Hosted Nov. 19 at Ararat-Eskijian Museum
MISSION HILLS, CA - The illustrated and interactive program "A PHOTOGRAPHIC
HISTORY OF ARMENIANS: From Empires to Diaspora" will take place at the
Ararat-Eskijian Museum on Nov. 19, at 4 pm. Founder and Executive Director of
Project SAVE Armenian Photograph Archives, Ruth Thomasian will discuss this rare
archival treasure and its methods, as well as present a dynamic illustrated
lecture about Armenians. The program will also include a Photographs Road Show
with audience participation. A reception will immediately follow the program.
The slide presentation will include 19th-early 20th century images of
families and towns in historic Armenia during the Ottoman, Russian, and Persian
empires. More recent images of Armenians in America and throughout the Diaspora
will also be shown. To understand the historical value of these photographs as
well as Project SAVE's critical mission, Thomasian will discuss collecting and
documenting photographs, archival methods, oral documentation procedures,
dating of images, and the issue of originals vs. copies.
Another exciting part of the program will be the Photographs Road Show.
Thomasian invites the audience to bring family photographs for her to examine and
identify their historical significance. One of the most gratifying aspects of
Thomasian's work is the dialogue initiated by these treasured photographs, in
other words, "seeing and hearing history unfold in front of you as a photo
donor shares a family photograph and the stories that go with it."
Located in Watertown, MA, Project SAVE was founded in 1975 by Thomasian.
While pursuing a career as a theatrical costume designer in New York City,
she became aware that there was scarcely any visual material available to
research costumes for Armenian plays set in historic Armenia within the 19th and
early 20th centuries. Project SAVE collects and documents photographs of Armenian
people and places.
According to Thomasian, "Project SAVE fills the human need to have knowledge
of ones ancestors and an understanding of where they have come from and how
they have lived their lives-in a way so that we can live our lives in harmony
with that heritage." From its modest beginnings, Project SAVE is now a
privately held but publicly accessible archive of approximately 25,000 images that
represent the heritage of Armenians not only in "the old country" but also in the
United States and the worldwide Armenian Diaspora.
Thomasian received a B.A. in History and Education from Albion College in
Michigan, and an M.S. in Communications Management from Simmons College, Boston.
Her work with Project SAVE has earned her numerous awards, including Haig
Garabed Sarafian Award (Armenian Students' Association, 1984), Jack H. Kolligian
Award (National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, 1985),
Community Folklore Scholar (Smithsonian Institution, 1989), Smithsonian Delegate
(International Folklore Conference, 1990), and Woman of Achievement Award (Armenian
International Women's Association, 1994). She is a former President of the
Photographic Historical Society of New England and currently the co-editor of
the society's New England Journal of Photographic History. She is also a
member of the New England Archivists and the Society of American Archivists.
Project SAVE is a nonprofit, tax-exempt organization entirely funded by
generous individuals, foundations, and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Project SAVE appreciates receiving original photographs as a donation or on
loan, and welcomes volunteers to assist with archival and administrative tasks.
For more information: (617) 923-4542; [email protected];
www.projectsave.org; P.O. Box 236, Watertown, MA 02471-0236.
The Ararat-Eskijian Museum is located on the grounds of the Ararat Home of
Los Angeles at 15105 Mission Hills Road, Mission Hills, CA 91345.
For more information, call AEM (818) 838-4862 or visit
www.ararat-eskijian-museum.com. Free admission and parking.
********'******************************** *********************************
5 - Textbook Battle Winners Will Write History
By Michael Doyle
Fresno Bee
WASHINGTON - A textbook battle is pitting Americans of Armenian and Turkish
descent against one another in a federal courtroom.
The winner will write history.
And though the fight may seem far away, it's captivating California's
politically vocal Armenian-American community.
"Most people who are interested in Armenian politics know about it," said
Hygo Ohannessian, chairwoman of the Fresno-based Central California chapter of
the Armenian National Committee of America.
Ohannessian and her allies are waiting on US. District Judge Mark Wolf in
Boston. For the past year, Wolf has overseen a lawsuit challenging the way
Massachusetts high school study guides handle the horrific events of 1915-23.
Genocide, Armenians and many historians call it. By some counts, upward of
1.5 million Armenians died at the hands of the Ottoman Empire. Turks and
Armenians have disputed how to characterize the tragic events.
"If the Turks win this, they are going to challenge textbooks in other
states," predicted Ohannes Boghossian, chairman of the Armenian National Committee's
Sacramento chapter.
But in its lawsuit filed last October, the Assembly of Turkish American
Associations claims Massachusetts capitulated to Armenian-American pressure and
"purged" the state's study guides of any material challenging Armenian claims.
"This case is not about whether there was or was not an Armenian genocide,"
attorney Harvey Silverglate said in an interview this week, "but rather, about
whether teachers and students are going to be able to study and discuss the
question without undue political interference."
Undeniably, Armenian-Americans wield political clout, particularly in areas
such as the San Joaquin Valley, with large ethnic populations.
The leading Republican author of a commemorative Armenian genocide resolution
offered this Congress is Rep. George Radanovich, R-Mariposa.
But Turkey, too, flexes political muscle. While Radanovich's current Armenian
genocide resolution has 159 House co-sponsors, similar resolutions have been
consistently blocked by presidents of both parties.
With lifetime tenure and 21 years on the federal bench, Wolf is shielded from
overt pressure. Still, his next decision remains closely watched, as he
considers whether to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Silverglate on behalf of the
Turkish American associations.
In 1999, an initial version of the Massachusetts study guide cited reference
materials that reflected Turkish views challenging the genocide argument.
These were optional references, not required to be taught.
"These viewpoints contend ... that the fate of the Ottoman Armenians was the
result of a number of factors, including the Ottoman government's response to
an Armenian revolt in alliance with Russia, a tragically flawed deportation
policy and mutual wartime massacres, which brought great suffering and death to
both Ottoman Armenians and Muslims," the lawsuit argues.
But after a Massachusetts state senator complained and the Armenian-American
community mobilized, the state's education commissioner changed course. The
state subsequently deleted study guide references to Turkish sites, including
Georgetown University's Institute of Turkish Studies.
"It's fine for governments to help make history, but not to write it,"
Silverglate said. "The First Amendment is meant to provide a free marketplace of
ideas to determine truth, and history."
The Armenian National Committee and the Los Angeles-based Armenian Bar
Association have both urged Wolf in an amicus brief to toss out the case. They argue
that Massachusetts acted reasonably in omitting the Turkish perspective.
"It would be like having the Nazi Party coming in and forcing its views of
the Holocaust," Ohannessian said Tuesday.
The Armenian-Americans have strong U.S. Supreme Court precedent on their
side, which may fatally undercut Silverglate's lawsuit. The court has ruled
repeatedly, as the Armenian groups put it, that "the First Amendment places no
restraints" on the messages a government conveys.
"Courts," Massachusetts added in its own legal filing, "have no authority
either to control government speech or to second-guess curriculum decisions made
by the responsible public officials."
Armenian-Americans cite, as well, the 37 states - including California -
whose legislatures have recognized the Armenian genocide. The study guide, the
groups say, should be appreciated "in the context of this widespread official
acknowledgment" of the tragedy.
In California, Ohannessian noted, textbooks refer to the Armenian genocide -
but she and other Armenian-American activists enhance this with yearly
seminars offered to Fresno and Clovis high school students seeking extra credit.
****************************************** ********************************
6 - Nearly $8 Million in NY Life Checks
Sent to More than 2,500 Victims' Heirs
LOS ANGELES, CALIF.--Settlement checks totaling $7,954,362.24
will be distributed this week to more than 2,500 Armenian descendants of victims
massacred in the 1915 Armenian Genocide. The checks are a share of a
multi-million dollar settlement in a class action lawsuit brought against New York Life
Insurance Company for unpaid life insurance benefits. In addition, $3 million
has been already distributed to various Armenian charitable organizations
(Martin Marootian, et al. v. New York Life Insurance Company).
The board reviewed thousands of claims and found that 2,515
claims could be traced to Armenians who had purchased life insurance policies from
New York Life prior to 1915.
"We are thrilled that thousands of Armenians will finally get the
insurance compensation they deserve," says Brian Kabateck, partner with
Kabateck Brown Kellner, LLP and one of the lead attorneys who represented the
Armenian heirs. "Armenians don't give up easily and this settlement is a testament
to that."
"Although compensation is about 90 years late, we're still
pleased that Armenians are receiving some of what is owed them," says Mark Geragos,
partner with Geragos & Geragos, another of the lead attorneys in the case. In
addition to Kabateck and Geragos, Vartkes Yeghiayan of Yeghiayan & Associates
represented the plaintiffs in the case. All are of Armenian decent.
Letters will be mailed to all claimants. Checks will be included
to claimants awarded compensation. Of the nearly $8 million in settlement
checks, Armenians in Armenia will receive the most ($3.4 million) followed by
Armenians in the United States ($2.6 million) and Armenians in France ($656,413).
In all, Armenians in 26 countries will receive compensation.
For questions about the settlement, contact the settlement board
at 213-327-0740.
************************************************** ************************
7 - 2nd Int'l Medical Congress of Armenia
Will Take Place in Yerevan in June
The Organizing Committee of the Second International Medical Congress of
Armenia is pleased to announce that the Congress will be held from the 28th to the
30th of June 2007. The venue of the Congress will be at the historic Armenia
Marriott Hotel on Republic Square in downtown Yerevan. We anticipate the
participation of Armenian medical doctors, dentists, pharmacists and nurses from
all over the world.
Satellite Symposia will be held during the Congress with the aim of creating
international partnership programs and providing up-to-date information to
regional doctors (marz) who will be invited separately to participate without
requiring registration. Symposia will take place in Urology, Neuroscience,
Anesthesiology, Ophthalmology, Osteoporosis, and Nursing.
Besides developing medical science in Armenia the international partnership
program is an excellent opportunity to present and discuss general
collaboration projects. Chosen sections are as follows Neurology and Mental Health,
Mother and Child Health, Public Health /Tobacco Control, Medical Education, FMF,
HIV/AIDS, Nursing, Dentistry, Oncology, Primary Health Care, Health Policy,
Internal Medicine, Surgery, Disability/ Rehabilitation, Basic Science, and
Pharmacology.
There will be a focus on medical education and the session will be lead by
the newly elected Rector (Dean) of the Medical School, Professor Gohar Kalyan
and the Chairman of the Scientific Committee, Dean of the National Institute of
Health, Dr. Derenik Doumanyan.
The third day of the conference is entirely dedicated to Diaspora-Armenia
projects and strategy of future collaboration.
An outstanding social program will be offered to participants and attendants.
The official languages of the Congress will be Armenian and English.
The deadline for the abstract submission is March 31st, 2007. Abstracts can
be submitted to [email protected]. The online abstract submission form can be
found at www.2imca.am.
For any additional information please visit the web site: www.2imca.am or
correspond with the Organizing Committee of the Congress at the above mentioned
address.
**************************************** ***********************************
8 - Pres. Ghoukasian to Speak at L.A.
World Affairs Council Program
LOS ANGELES - Nagorno-Karabagh President Arkady Ghoukasian will be the
keynote speaker at the Nov. 16 dinner program hosted by the Los Angeles World
Affairs Council at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles.
The World Affairs Council program regularly features world leaders such as
Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice,
presidents of foreign countries, major philanthropists, religious leaders and
best-selling authors.
President Ghoukasian plans to speak about Artsakh's efforts to gain
international recognition of its right to live in freedom, develop democratic
institutions and a full-fledged market economy.
Ghoukasian will also use this opportunity to share his views on the future of
Karabagh, its relations with neighboring countries, its place in the
international community and the prospects for greater US-NKR engagement.
"We encourage our Armenian American compatriots residing in the Greater Los
Angeles area to attend this unique event, thus showing your interest and
support for Artsakh, as well as your appreciation for the L.A. World Affairs Council
for hosting Artsakh's President," said Vardan Barseghian, Representative of
the NKR in Washington, DC.
The dinner program will begin at 7:30 p.m., at the Westin Bonaventure, 404 S.
Figueroa St., Los Angeles.
To register for the event, visit http://www.lawac.org/reservation.htm.
************ ************************************************** **********
9 - Southland's Cabraloff, Gabriel, and Kazarian Families Honor
Grandfather's Memory by Renovating Ancestral Village School
LOS ANGELES - In 1910, brothers Atabek and Artash Gabrielian traveled to
America leaving their home in Isahakyan Village, formally Ghazarabad, in northern
Armenia. But, even after they came to Southern California, they kept the
village alive through their children and grandchildren.
In 2004, Al Cabraloff visited his grandfather Artash's village, where Al
found a number of his relatives. During the visit, Al and his friend, Stepan
Altounian, of Whittier, Calif., were moved when they saw the dismal conditions of
the Isahakyan Village School. Returning to the United States, Al contacted
the Armenian Educational Foundation (AEF) in Glendale, and asked what it would
take to renovate the school. AEF representatives estimated the cost to be
$105,000 to renovate two of the three wings of the school. Without hesitation, Al
gave the AEF the go ahead to start the necessary construction. Al and Diane
Cabraloff, of Whititer, Calif., along with cousins Ronald Gabriel, Richard
Gabriel, Arthur and Dennis Kazarian donated all the funds needed to complete the
renovations.
In July 2006, Al, Diane, their children, Al's parents and uncle, along with
70 relatives, friends and AEF members and supporters attended the opening of
the newly renovated Isahakyan Village School.
The ceremony was extremely moving, especially with students presenting the
Cabraloffs with bouquet of flowers and recitations. Welcoming remarks were
delivered by Shirak Region Marzbed (Governor) Romik Manoukyan, and the school
principal. Armenia's Deputy Minister of Education Bagrat Assatouryan thanked the
Cabraloffs for their generous donation and the AEF for the renovation of the
school.
Al gave a memorable speech, translated into Armenian by AEF Board Member Mina
Shirvanian. Al thanked the AEF, his family and friends and gave words of
encouragement to the students and families of the Village. AEF Vice President,
Alec Baghdasaryan thanked the Cabraloffs for their generosity and noted that it
is because of individuals like Al and Diane that the AEF has renovated 150
schools in Artsakh, Javakhk and the border villages of Armenia. Village
residents were overjoyed that the children and grandchildren of their village had
returned with such amazing generosity and that Isahakyan's children were the
beneficiaries.
The AEF hosted a lunch for the guests, school administration, teachers and
village leaders in the school's newly renovated main auditorium.
As the group started to depart, the haunting view of historical Armenian
lands just a few miles away was a reminder of how precious and important Isahakyan
and other border villages are to the well being of the independent Armenia.
AEF President Vahe Hacopian wished that "the blessings these young
benefactors have brought to this village be multiplied throughout our nation and may Al
and Diane Cabraloff serve as role models for all of our younger generation."
Since 1950, the Armenian Educational Foundation, Inc. (AEF) has been the
backbone of the Armenian educational movement worldwide. It has lent a helping
hand to thousands of students and to hundreds of schools throughout the world.
During its 56 years of giving, the AEF has proven to be one of the most enduring
and productive educational organizations in the Diaspora.
For further information, contact the AEF office in Glendale at (818) 242-4154
or www.aefweb.org.
********************************** ****************************************
The California Courier On-Line is a service provided by the California
Courier. Subscriptions or changes of address should not be transmitted through this
service. Information in that regard should be telephoned to (818) 409-0949;
faxed to: (818) 409-9207, or e-mailed to: [email protected]. Letters to the
editor concerning issues addressed in the Courier may be e-mailed, provided it
is signed by the author. Phone and/or E-mail address is also required to verify
authorship.
************************************* *************************************