Tweet
AGBU Press Office
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, October 21, 2011
AGBU Vice President Sinan Sinanian Honored by Armenian President During
20th Anniversary of Armenian Independence Celebrations in Los Angeles
On Sunday, September 25, 2011, the president of the Republic of Armenia,
Serzh Sargsyan, attended a banquet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los
Angeles to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the independence of
Armenia. During the official gala, President Sargsyan awarded AGBU
Central Board of Directors vice president Sinan Sinanian with the
distinguished Anania Shirakatsi Medal for his decades of service to the
community and support of cultural and educational endeavors.
Sinanian is a prominent leader in Southern California's Armenian
community. Most recently, he chaired the committee to realize the
establishment of House of Armenia, a planned cultural center in Glendale
and the headquarters of the Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Los
Angeles.
In his opening remarks, Sinanian thanked President Sargsyan for visiting
the Armenian community in Los Angeles despite his limited time and busy
schedule, which Sinanian considered an indication of the great potential
the community presents and the significant role that it should play. The
honoree went on to say, "It is an honored tradition when commemorating
historic events to erect a landmark stone that stays for posterity.
Earlier today the president inaugurated the House of Armenia, which was
realized through the joint efforts of our community. We believe that the
House of Armenia, while being the official residence of the diplomatic
representation of the Republic of Armenia, is destined to be the
showcase for what is beautiful in our homeland and a permanent
exhibition hall for its ongoing achievements. That edifice will be the
symbolic landmark stone erected on behalf of our community on this proud
occasion of the 20th anniversary of the independent Republic of
Armenia." Sinanian continued, "It is our wish that every time we pass by
the House of Armenia, or step foot in it, we be reminded of our
collective responsibility to continuously help and support our
homeland."
Eight hundred Los Angeles-area Armenians and numerous prominent
government officials -- including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
and Los Angeles County Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Zev
Yaroslavsky -- attended the gala event.
President Sargsyan spoke during the evening's celebration about the
strong feelings people have for Armenia and the idealism it embodies for
all Armenians. "We have made enormous progress, but we have shortcomings
that we all know very well. Who better than our fellow Armenians can
help us in overcoming them," he said during his keynote address. He went
on to explain that Armenia, like all other nations in the world, is
striving to become freer. "Our times are symbolized by freedom; freedom
which is achieved through competing and cooperating. There is a
competition between individuals and competition between businesses.
There is a competition between economies and competition between states.
The more competitive we are, the greater freedom we will enjoy," said
Sargsyan. "Armenia exists. Armenia is not a dream. It is a small but
proud country in faraway mountains, which is gradually rising to her
feet. It is a country that is now competing in the arena of the world's
large and powerful players. A country that is encountering harsh
problems, building new vital institutions, achieving successes, and
pursuing new and greater goals. We all share these goals."
In addition to awarding the Anania Shirakatsi Medal to Sinan Sinanian,
the Armenian president bestowed a number of other awards during the
event, including the Order of Honor to Gerard Turpanjian for his
significant services and contribution to the Republic of Armenia, the
Order of Merit of the Second Degree to His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
North America, for his dedication to and support of Armenia, and the
Mkhitar Gosh medal to Tevan Arustamian, for his contribution to the
development of diplomacy, law, and political science in Armenia.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022-1112
Phone: 212.319.6383, x118
Fax: 212.319.6507
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.agbu.org
PRESS RELEASE
Friday, October 21, 2011
AGBU Vice President Sinan Sinanian Honored by Armenian President During
20th Anniversary of Armenian Independence Celebrations in Los Angeles
On Sunday, September 25, 2011, the president of the Republic of Armenia,
Serzh Sargsyan, attended a banquet at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los
Angeles to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the independence of
Armenia. During the official gala, President Sargsyan awarded AGBU
Central Board of Directors vice president Sinan Sinanian with the
distinguished Anania Shirakatsi Medal for his decades of service to the
community and support of cultural and educational endeavors.
Sinanian is a prominent leader in Southern California's Armenian
community. Most recently, he chaired the committee to realize the
establishment of House of Armenia, a planned cultural center in Glendale
and the headquarters of the Consulate of the Republic of Armenia in Los
Angeles.
In his opening remarks, Sinanian thanked President Sargsyan for visiting
the Armenian community in Los Angeles despite his limited time and busy
schedule, which Sinanian considered an indication of the great potential
the community presents and the significant role that it should play. The
honoree went on to say, "It is an honored tradition when commemorating
historic events to erect a landmark stone that stays for posterity.
Earlier today the president inaugurated the House of Armenia, which was
realized through the joint efforts of our community. We believe that the
House of Armenia, while being the official residence of the diplomatic
representation of the Republic of Armenia, is destined to be the
showcase for what is beautiful in our homeland and a permanent
exhibition hall for its ongoing achievements. That edifice will be the
symbolic landmark stone erected on behalf of our community on this proud
occasion of the 20th anniversary of the independent Republic of
Armenia." Sinanian continued, "It is our wish that every time we pass by
the House of Armenia, or step foot in it, we be reminded of our
collective responsibility to continuously help and support our
homeland."
Eight hundred Los Angeles-area Armenians and numerous prominent
government officials -- including Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
and Los Angeles County Supervisors Michael Antonovich and Zev
Yaroslavsky -- attended the gala event.
President Sargsyan spoke during the evening's celebration about the
strong feelings people have for Armenia and the idealism it embodies for
all Armenians. "We have made enormous progress, but we have shortcomings
that we all know very well. Who better than our fellow Armenians can
help us in overcoming them," he said during his keynote address. He went
on to explain that Armenia, like all other nations in the world, is
striving to become freer. "Our times are symbolized by freedom; freedom
which is achieved through competing and cooperating. There is a
competition between individuals and competition between businesses.
There is a competition between economies and competition between states.
The more competitive we are, the greater freedom we will enjoy," said
Sargsyan. "Armenia exists. Armenia is not a dream. It is a small but
proud country in faraway mountains, which is gradually rising to her
feet. It is a country that is now competing in the arena of the world's
large and powerful players. A country that is encountering harsh
problems, building new vital institutions, achieving successes, and
pursuing new and greater goals. We all share these goals."
In addition to awarding the Anania Shirakatsi Medal to Sinan Sinanian,
the Armenian president bestowed a number of other awards during the
event, including the Order of Honor to Gerard Turpanjian for his
significant services and contribution to the Republic of Armenia, the
Order of Merit of the Second Degree to His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of
North America, for his dedication to and support of Armenia, and the
Mkhitar Gosh medal to Tevan Arustamian, for his contribution to the
development of diplomacy, law, and political science in Armenia.
Established in 1906, AGBU (www.agbu.org) is the world's largest
non-profit Armenian organization. Headquartered in New York City, AGBU
preserves and promotes the Armenian identity and heritage through
educational, cultural and humanitarian programs, annually touching the
lives of some 400,000 Armenians around the world.
For more information about AGBU and its worldwide programs, please visit
www.agbu.org.