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STATE HOUSE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATION ON APRIL 19
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/04/04/state-house-armenian-genocide-commemoration-on-april-19/
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, NEWS | APRIL 4, 2013 1:13 PM
State House Armenian Genocide 98th Commemoration logo
BOSTON - Each April for the past 28 years, members of the Armenian
community along with state legislators and guests have filled the
House Chamber at the State House to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
This year marks the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the
commemoration will take place on Friday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. with
a program of speakers and honorees.
Following the ceremony and pending final permitting, attendees will
be invited to march from the State House to the Armenian Heritage
Park on the Rose Kennedy Greenway for additional remarks, music and
a catered lunch. The march will include a stop along the way to place
a wreath at the New England Holocaust Memorial.
The event is both solemn and celebratory, recognizing the Genocide of
1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 by the Ottoman Turkish
government, as well as honoring survivors and looking forward as
Armenian-American descendants commit themselves to preserving their
culture and working for humanitarian projects and awareness.
Former US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, who served from
2006 to 2008, will deliver the keynote address. Armenian Heritage
Park architect Donald Tellalian will be honored with a Joint House
and Senate Resolution. Dedicated in May of 2012, the park is a gift to
Boston and the Commonwealth from the Massachusetts Armenian-American
community. The split dodecahedron abstract sculpture, which rests atop
a 16-ft diameter reflecting pool, is designed to be reconfigured each
year and symbolizes those who were pulled apart from their country
but reestablished themselves in different ways. Visitors to the park
can also walk a labyrinth that reflects the journey of life.
"We are very excited this year to introduce the march from the State
House to the Armenian Heritage Park," said Belmont resident Lalig
Musserian who is coordinating this year's celebration. The committee
organizing the event is jointly chaired by state Representatives
Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown), Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge) and John Lawn
(D-Watertown); and state Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont), who will
host the day. "The march expresses the ongoing work of recognizing
the Armenian Genocide and our desire to reach out to others and
build awareness that as a world community we must work to prevent
the horrors of genocide," said Musserian.
Survivors of the Genocide will be presented with proclamations at the
State House ceremony and photographs of others will be present through
the participation of attendees in the "Stand Up For Your Survivor"
program organized by Arlington High School senior Anahis Kechejian.
"There are so few survivors left," said Kechejian, "This is one way
for descendants to honor our ancestors, and for youth such as myself
to pledge our efforts to work for justice and preserve our Armenian
heritage."
The participation of youth is an integral part of the commemoration.
Members of the Homenetmen Scout Troop will attend, as will students
from the Armenian Sisters' Academy and St. Stephen's Armenian
Elementary School, who will perform music at the State House. Martin
Haroutunian and Tigran Avetisyan will perform at the Heritage Park.
"To see our youth involved in this event is particularly meaningful
to me," said Hecht. "They are our bridge to the future and our hope
that such atrocities will never take place again. The late Speaker
George Keverian, who began the annual commemoration at the State House
in 1985, would be pleased to see the program has now extended beyond
the State House with this year's march."
"When the posters of survivors are held high in the House Chamber
for all to see, it reminds us of a history that must be recognized
and remembered, and calls us to the importance of working for human
rights," said Brownsberger. "I look forward to all ages marching
together."
"The march to the park is a wonderful addition to the commemoration,"
said Lawn. "This is a visible way of showing the pride in history
and culture of Armenian Americans as they strive for recognition of
the Genocide."
"It is time for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. As a
newly elected state representative I look forward to hosting the
Commemoration and advancing this worthy cause for years to come,"
said Rogers.
Free buses to the State House, provided by the Knights of Vartan, will
leave St. James and St. Stephen's Churches in Watertown at 9:00 a.m.
Bus transportation will be provided to anyone who is unable to march
from the State House to the Heritage Park. In the case of inclement
weather the march will not take place and a reception will be held
at the Great Hall of the State House. Buses will depart Heritage
Park at the conclusion of the program at 2 p.m. and return directly
to Watertown.
From: Baghdasarian
http://www.mirrorspectator.com/2013/04/04/state-house-armenian-genocide-commemoration-on-april-19/
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE, NEWS | APRIL 4, 2013 1:13 PM
State House Armenian Genocide 98th Commemoration logo
BOSTON - Each April for the past 28 years, members of the Armenian
community along with state legislators and guests have filled the
House Chamber at the State House to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.
This year marks the 98th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and the
commemoration will take place on Friday, April 19 at 10:30 a.m. with
a program of speakers and honorees.
Following the ceremony and pending final permitting, attendees will
be invited to march from the State House to the Armenian Heritage
Park on the Rose Kennedy Greenway for additional remarks, music and
a catered lunch. The march will include a stop along the way to place
a wreath at the New England Holocaust Memorial.
The event is both solemn and celebratory, recognizing the Genocide of
1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 by the Ottoman Turkish
government, as well as honoring survivors and looking forward as
Armenian-American descendants commit themselves to preserving their
culture and working for humanitarian projects and awareness.
Former US Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans, who served from
2006 to 2008, will deliver the keynote address. Armenian Heritage
Park architect Donald Tellalian will be honored with a Joint House
and Senate Resolution. Dedicated in May of 2012, the park is a gift to
Boston and the Commonwealth from the Massachusetts Armenian-American
community. The split dodecahedron abstract sculpture, which rests atop
a 16-ft diameter reflecting pool, is designed to be reconfigured each
year and symbolizes those who were pulled apart from their country
but reestablished themselves in different ways. Visitors to the park
can also walk a labyrinth that reflects the journey of life.
"We are very excited this year to introduce the march from the State
House to the Armenian Heritage Park," said Belmont resident Lalig
Musserian who is coordinating this year's celebration. The committee
organizing the event is jointly chaired by state Representatives
Jonathan Hecht (D-Watertown), Dave Rogers (D-Cambridge) and John Lawn
(D-Watertown); and state Sen. Will Brownsberger (D-Belmont), who will
host the day. "The march expresses the ongoing work of recognizing
the Armenian Genocide and our desire to reach out to others and
build awareness that as a world community we must work to prevent
the horrors of genocide," said Musserian.
Survivors of the Genocide will be presented with proclamations at the
State House ceremony and photographs of others will be present through
the participation of attendees in the "Stand Up For Your Survivor"
program organized by Arlington High School senior Anahis Kechejian.
"There are so few survivors left," said Kechejian, "This is one way
for descendants to honor our ancestors, and for youth such as myself
to pledge our efforts to work for justice and preserve our Armenian
heritage."
The participation of youth is an integral part of the commemoration.
Members of the Homenetmen Scout Troop will attend, as will students
from the Armenian Sisters' Academy and St. Stephen's Armenian
Elementary School, who will perform music at the State House. Martin
Haroutunian and Tigran Avetisyan will perform at the Heritage Park.
"To see our youth involved in this event is particularly meaningful
to me," said Hecht. "They are our bridge to the future and our hope
that such atrocities will never take place again. The late Speaker
George Keverian, who began the annual commemoration at the State House
in 1985, would be pleased to see the program has now extended beyond
the State House with this year's march."
"When the posters of survivors are held high in the House Chamber
for all to see, it reminds us of a history that must be recognized
and remembered, and calls us to the importance of working for human
rights," said Brownsberger. "I look forward to all ages marching
together."
"The march to the park is a wonderful addition to the commemoration,"
said Lawn. "This is a visible way of showing the pride in history
and culture of Armenian Americans as they strive for recognition of
the Genocide."
"It is time for recognition of the Armenian Genocide. As a
newly elected state representative I look forward to hosting the
Commemoration and advancing this worthy cause for years to come,"
said Rogers.
Free buses to the State House, provided by the Knights of Vartan, will
leave St. James and St. Stephen's Churches in Watertown at 9:00 a.m.
Bus transportation will be provided to anyone who is unable to march
from the State House to the Heritage Park. In the case of inclement
weather the march will not take place and a reception will be held
at the Great Hall of the State House. Buses will depart Heritage
Park at the conclusion of the program at 2 p.m. and return directly
to Watertown.
From: Baghdasarian