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GENOCIDE FOCUS OF ARAM I'S ADDRESS TO LA CITY COUNCIL
Asbarez
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
Aram I addresses LA City Council
LOS ANGELES-His Holiness Catholicos Aram I arrived at Los Angeles
City Hall on the morning of Friday, October 14, where a breakfast
reception was held in his honor, after which His Holiness addressed
the full City Council in Chambers.
The Catholicos was accompanied by Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian and staff bearer Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian.
Participating in the reception were Clergy, Councils members, community
leaders and members, Prelacy sponsors and friends.
Opening remarks were delivered by Jim Clarke, Director of Federal
Relations for Mayor Villaraigosa. Council President Eric Garcetti
said it was a great honor to welcome His Holiness to City Hall and
invited Council member Paul Krekorian to deliver his remarks.
Aram I with LA City Council after receiving a proclamation
Council member Krekorian stated that it was personally extraordinary
for him to be there as the first Armenian-American Council member, and
that the presence of His Holiness at City Hall is "a point of pride for
each of us and gives us strength as representatives of this community".
The Prelate thanked the Council members for the warm welcome and
reception, and for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa facilitating the arrival
of His Holiness at LAX. He noted that this is the fourth visit of His
Holiness to City Hall and invited His Holiness to deliver his message.
His Holiness expressed profound joy to be at City Hall in the heart
of Los Angeles stating, "This is no ordinary building. I came here
to examine the heartbeat, the activities, and the planning oriented
work towards helping and serving people. People are a part of the
government, as Plato said, and this is democracy in action." His
Holiness concluded by saying, "The United States is a great nation
of values. May God less you all and may you continue to serve Los
Angeles".
His Holiness, entourage, and guests were then escorted to Chambers
where the full City Council was assembled.
First to speak were Council member Krekorian and Council President
Garcetti.
Council member Krekorian said it was both an honor and a privilege
to be there. Antelias is the heart and soul of the Armenian people
and His Holiness is our spiritual leader and we are thankful for his
leadership and guidance. His Holiness has brought together many faiths
and he is responsible for inter-religious dialogue. It is rare that
we get a man of such stature in our Chamber, concluded Krekorian.
Council President Garcetti stated that is was a great honor to receive
His Holiness at LAX and welcomed him to the temple of democracy. He
referred to His Holiness as an inspiration and expressed his
appreciation for his involvement in educational institutions.
His Holiness then addressed the City Council stating that it was a
profound joy to be with them and being with them meant being with the
people. He urged them to serve with transparency and accountability
and to serve the interest of the people and not individuals. Looking
around at those assembled in the Chamber, His Holiness noted that each
of them has different root and different background, but they must
first and foremost remain true to their American values. He shared his
pride that so many Armenians are a part of America and share in those
American values, and expressed gratitude to the United States as it was
the first nation to accept refugees following the Armenian Genocide.
"I am proud that my own community is part of the diverse American
community, and a contributing one at that. After the genocide of 1915,
the United States was the first nation to accept refugees as Displaced
Peoples, but we didn't remain as such, we became Americans. And I am
proud of that. We must remain now true to our American values. It
is my profound joy to be with you once again. As public servants,
service should be the center of our spirituality. We all serve the
same people. They should be the center of our reflection," concluded
His Holiness who was met with a standing ovation.
The event concluded with the presentation of a proclamation to His
Holiness by Council members.
Asbarez
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
Aram I addresses LA City Council
LOS ANGELES-His Holiness Catholicos Aram I arrived at Los Angeles
City Hall on the morning of Friday, October 14, where a breakfast
reception was held in his honor, after which His Holiness addressed
the full City Council in Chambers.
The Catholicos was accompanied by Western Prelate Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian and staff bearer Very Rev. Fr. Mesrob Sarkissian.
Participating in the reception were Clergy, Councils members, community
leaders and members, Prelacy sponsors and friends.
Opening remarks were delivered by Jim Clarke, Director of Federal
Relations for Mayor Villaraigosa. Council President Eric Garcetti
said it was a great honor to welcome His Holiness to City Hall and
invited Council member Paul Krekorian to deliver his remarks.
Aram I with LA City Council after receiving a proclamation
Council member Krekorian stated that it was personally extraordinary
for him to be there as the first Armenian-American Council member, and
that the presence of His Holiness at City Hall is "a point of pride for
each of us and gives us strength as representatives of this community".
The Prelate thanked the Council members for the warm welcome and
reception, and for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa facilitating the arrival
of His Holiness at LAX. He noted that this is the fourth visit of His
Holiness to City Hall and invited His Holiness to deliver his message.
His Holiness expressed profound joy to be at City Hall in the heart
of Los Angeles stating, "This is no ordinary building. I came here
to examine the heartbeat, the activities, and the planning oriented
work towards helping and serving people. People are a part of the
government, as Plato said, and this is democracy in action." His
Holiness concluded by saying, "The United States is a great nation
of values. May God less you all and may you continue to serve Los
Angeles".
His Holiness, entourage, and guests were then escorted to Chambers
where the full City Council was assembled.
First to speak were Council member Krekorian and Council President
Garcetti.
Council member Krekorian said it was both an honor and a privilege
to be there. Antelias is the heart and soul of the Armenian people
and His Holiness is our spiritual leader and we are thankful for his
leadership and guidance. His Holiness has brought together many faiths
and he is responsible for inter-religious dialogue. It is rare that
we get a man of such stature in our Chamber, concluded Krekorian.
Council President Garcetti stated that is was a great honor to receive
His Holiness at LAX and welcomed him to the temple of democracy. He
referred to His Holiness as an inspiration and expressed his
appreciation for his involvement in educational institutions.
His Holiness then addressed the City Council stating that it was a
profound joy to be with them and being with them meant being with the
people. He urged them to serve with transparency and accountability
and to serve the interest of the people and not individuals. Looking
around at those assembled in the Chamber, His Holiness noted that each
of them has different root and different background, but they must
first and foremost remain true to their American values. He shared his
pride that so many Armenians are a part of America and share in those
American values, and expressed gratitude to the United States as it was
the first nation to accept refugees following the Armenian Genocide.
"I am proud that my own community is part of the diverse American
community, and a contributing one at that. After the genocide of 1915,
the United States was the first nation to accept refugees as Displaced
Peoples, but we didn't remain as such, we became Americans. And I am
proud of that. We must remain now true to our American values. It
is my profound joy to be with you once again. As public servants,
service should be the center of our spirituality. We all serve the
same people. They should be the center of our reflection," concluded
His Holiness who was met with a standing ovation.
The event concluded with the presentation of a proclamation to His
Holiness by Council members.