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Sheriff earns Ellis Island Medal of Honor

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  • Sheriff earns Ellis Island Medal of Honor

    Lowell Sun (Massachusetts)
    May 6, 2011 Friday


    Sheriff earns Ellis Island Medal of Honor

    BY: By Evan Lips

    BILLERICA -- Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian is heading to
    New York City to be awarded the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for his
    work establishing Boston's Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose Kennedy
    Greenway, a spokesman said yesterday.

    "It really comes from his work as a state representative," said
    Michael Hartigan, Koutoujian's spokesman.

    In 1999, Koutoujian first filed legislation to consider an Armenian
    remembrance site in Boston. It took about 10 years, but last September
    the park was established.

    Hartigan said the Ellis Island Medals of Honor are awarded each year
    to Americans who "exemplify a life dedicated to community service."
    Previous recipients include Rosa Parks, Muhammed Ali and former
    President Jimmy Carter.

    Awards are handed out by the National Ethnic Coalition of
    Organization. NECO spokesman James Moore said Koutoujian is one of 350
    nationwide who will be honored tomorrow.

    "Each nominee is vetted by an advisory committee and final decisions
    are made by our chairman and his executive selection committee," Moore
    said. "In consideration of Sheriff Koutoujian we took into account him
    being the lead sponsor of the Annual Armenian Genocide Commemoration."

    Hartigan said Koutoujian was nominated by Jim Kalustian, president of
    the Armenian Heritage Foundation, for his work with the Armenian
    Heritage Park and the Armenian Genocide remembrance.

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