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20th anniversary of Armenia's independence celebrated on Capitol Hill
armradio.am
26.10.2011 12:28
Armenian Americans joined on Capitol Hill with eighteen members of
the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, the Armenian Embassy,
and friends of Armenia in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the
Republic of Armenia's rebirth as an independent state, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
"We were pleased to join today with so many Congressional supporters
of Armenia, the Armenian Embassy, a broad cross-section of Armenian
Americans, and our friends from across the foreign policy community
in celebrating Armenia's rebirth as an independent state," said ANCA
Chairman Ken Hachikian, following the event. "This gathering - on the
milestone of Armenia's 20th anniversary - served a vital purpose in
marking our progress, reinforcing our shared values, and recommitting
ourselves to the unfinished work that lays before us as we realize
our nation's democratic and national aspirations."
The celebration was held in the historic hearing room of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, 2172 Rayburn House Office Building. This
room has been the setting for many watershed meetings on Armenian
issues, including the approval of a series of Armenian Genocide
Resolutions and, just this past July 20th, the adoption of the
Return of Churches amendment calling on Turkey to restore confiscated
Christian religious properties to their rightful owners.
The evening's program was opened and hosted by Armenian Caucus Co-
Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Ed Royce (R-CA). The schedule
featured a moving awards ceremony, presided over by Armenia's
Ambassador, Tatoul Markarian, during which he bestowed Armenia's
"Mkhitar Gosh" Medal upon House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking
Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA) and Armenian Genocide Resolution lead
co-sponsor, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), for their years of dedicated
service in seeking U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and
strengthening U.S.-Armenia ties.
"It's a great honor to receive the Mkhitar Gosh Medal of the Republic
of Armenia," stated Rep. Berman upon receipt of the award. "I will
always treasure it, as I treasure my bond with Armenian Americans
and with all Armenians. I will not waver in my commitment to justice
for the Armenians. That means winning U.S. Congressional recognition
of the Genocide, ending the Turkish-Azerbaijani blockade, and ending
the isolation of Nagorno Karabakh."
Rep. Schiff expressed appreciation to the Armenian American community
for embracing him as an adopted son, and for working hand in hand with
him on issues of broad community concern. "The Republic of Armenia
is a strong U.S. ally and an example of a working democracy.
Domestically, Armenian Americans continue to illustrate what
a valuable asset they are to our society, breaking new ground
economically, socially and politically in California and across the
nation. Congratulations to the people of Armenia, and to Armenians
in America and around the world on the significant achievements of
the past 20 years."
Members of Congress expressed their commitment to strengthening the
U.S.-Armenia relationship through promoting trade and continuing U.S.
assistance to the blockaded country. They went on to pledge support for
U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing "Return of
Churches" campaign calling on Turkey to return confiscated churches
to their rightful owners. Special attention was given to ensuring
the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabagh. Rep.
Brad Sherman (D-CA) spoke forcefully about generating targeted U.S.
support for the at-risk Armenian population of the Javakhk region
of Georgia.
armradio.am
26.10.2011 12:28
Armenian Americans joined on Capitol Hill with eighteen members of
the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, the Armenian Embassy,
and friends of Armenia in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the
Republic of Armenia's rebirth as an independent state, reported the
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
"We were pleased to join today with so many Congressional supporters
of Armenia, the Armenian Embassy, a broad cross-section of Armenian
Americans, and our friends from across the foreign policy community
in celebrating Armenia's rebirth as an independent state," said ANCA
Chairman Ken Hachikian, following the event. "This gathering - on the
milestone of Armenia's 20th anniversary - served a vital purpose in
marking our progress, reinforcing our shared values, and recommitting
ourselves to the unfinished work that lays before us as we realize
our nation's democratic and national aspirations."
The celebration was held in the historic hearing room of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, 2172 Rayburn House Office Building. This
room has been the setting for many watershed meetings on Armenian
issues, including the approval of a series of Armenian Genocide
Resolutions and, just this past July 20th, the adoption of the
Return of Churches amendment calling on Turkey to restore confiscated
Christian religious properties to their rightful owners.
The evening's program was opened and hosted by Armenian Caucus Co-
Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Ed Royce (R-CA). The schedule
featured a moving awards ceremony, presided over by Armenia's
Ambassador, Tatoul Markarian, during which he bestowed Armenia's
"Mkhitar Gosh" Medal upon House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking
Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA) and Armenian Genocide Resolution lead
co-sponsor, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), for their years of dedicated
service in seeking U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and
strengthening U.S.-Armenia ties.
"It's a great honor to receive the Mkhitar Gosh Medal of the Republic
of Armenia," stated Rep. Berman upon receipt of the award. "I will
always treasure it, as I treasure my bond with Armenian Americans
and with all Armenians. I will not waver in my commitment to justice
for the Armenians. That means winning U.S. Congressional recognition
of the Genocide, ending the Turkish-Azerbaijani blockade, and ending
the isolation of Nagorno Karabakh."
Rep. Schiff expressed appreciation to the Armenian American community
for embracing him as an adopted son, and for working hand in hand with
him on issues of broad community concern. "The Republic of Armenia
is a strong U.S. ally and an example of a working democracy.
Domestically, Armenian Americans continue to illustrate what
a valuable asset they are to our society, breaking new ground
economically, socially and politically in California and across the
nation. Congratulations to the people of Armenia, and to Armenians
in America and around the world on the significant achievements of
the past 20 years."
Members of Congress expressed their commitment to strengthening the
U.S.-Armenia relationship through promoting trade and continuing U.S.
assistance to the blockaded country. They went on to pledge support for
U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and the ongoing "Return of
Churches" campaign calling on Turkey to return confiscated churches
to their rightful owners. Special attention was given to ensuring
the right to self-determination of the people of Nagorno Karabagh. Rep.
Brad Sherman (D-CA) spoke forcefully about generating targeted U.S.
support for the at-risk Armenian population of the Javakhk region
of Georgia.