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KAZARIAN SPEAKS UP IN COMMEMORATION OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
State House, Rhode Island
April 29 2013
STATE HOUSE - Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence),
a fourth-generation Armenian-American, had the honor of commemorating
the Armenian genocide of 1915 with a House resolution among her
colleagues in the House of Representatives last week.
"I am deeply saddened by the terrors that led my ancestors to this
country," she said on the House floor Wednesday. "Yet, I am grateful
for the chance to be here today in the House chamber so that we may
preserve the memory of their sacrifice and, thereby, work to prevent
such atrocities in the future."
Many from the Armenian-American community were present in support
of the resolution and the chamber's acknowledgement of the 98th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide. According to the Armenian
National Institute in Washington D.C., the genocide resulted in the
death of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. It is estimated
that close to 2 million Armenians were living in the Ottoman Empire
just prior to World War I when the Turkish government subjected its
Armenian population to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture,
massacre and starvation.
Later that evening, Representative Kazarian also had the honor of
serving as the master of ceremonies for a special commemoration at
Providence City Hall. The program included a candlelight march from
Saints Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church to City Hall, a Kamancha
presentation by David Ayirian and a musical presentation from vocalist
Shant Eghian. Also present were Central Falls Mayor James Diossa and
Rep. Jared R. Nunes (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick). The event
was sponsored by the Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island.
Representative Kazarian said she hopes to remind others of the strength
and resilience of the human spirit. Americans must always keep faith
that there are good people in the world who will band together in
their greatest hours of darkness.
"While Wednesday was mainly about the Armenian community, it was
also about our capacity to stay strong for each other in the face
of terror," she said. "I can't help but think of the tragedies that
have occurred this year: the Boston marathon bombings, the Sandy Hook
killings ... and America remains united and hopeful for the future.
Armenians all over the world still remember the massacre and honor
our ancestors 98 years after it all began. Certain atrocities may
never be forgotten, but we must always carry the stories of the past
in our hearts so that we may trudge forward with more patience and
wisdom than those who came before us."
For more information, contact: Brenna McCabe, Publicist State House
Room 20 Providence, RI 02903 (401) 222-2457
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/News/pr1.asp?prid=9221
State House, Rhode Island
April 29 2013
STATE HOUSE - Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian (D-Dist. 63, East Providence),
a fourth-generation Armenian-American, had the honor of commemorating
the Armenian genocide of 1915 with a House resolution among her
colleagues in the House of Representatives last week.
"I am deeply saddened by the terrors that led my ancestors to this
country," she said on the House floor Wednesday. "Yet, I am grateful
for the chance to be here today in the House chamber so that we may
preserve the memory of their sacrifice and, thereby, work to prevent
such atrocities in the future."
Many from the Armenian-American community were present in support
of the resolution and the chamber's acknowledgement of the 98th
anniversary of the Armenian genocide. According to the Armenian
National Institute in Washington D.C., the genocide resulted in the
death of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923. It is estimated
that close to 2 million Armenians were living in the Ottoman Empire
just prior to World War I when the Turkish government subjected its
Armenian population to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture,
massacre and starvation.
Later that evening, Representative Kazarian also had the honor of
serving as the master of ceremonies for a special commemoration at
Providence City Hall. The program included a candlelight march from
Saints Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church to City Hall, a Kamancha
presentation by David Ayirian and a musical presentation from vocalist
Shant Eghian. Also present were Central Falls Mayor James Diossa and
Rep. Jared R. Nunes (D-Dist. 25, Coventry, West Warwick). The event
was sponsored by the Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island.
Representative Kazarian said she hopes to remind others of the strength
and resilience of the human spirit. Americans must always keep faith
that there are good people in the world who will band together in
their greatest hours of darkness.
"While Wednesday was mainly about the Armenian community, it was
also about our capacity to stay strong for each other in the face
of terror," she said. "I can't help but think of the tragedies that
have occurred this year: the Boston marathon bombings, the Sandy Hook
killings ... and America remains united and hopeful for the future.
Armenians all over the world still remember the massacre and honor
our ancestors 98 years after it all began. Certain atrocities may
never be forgotten, but we must always carry the stories of the past
in our hearts so that we may trudge forward with more patience and
wisdom than those who came before us."
For more information, contact: Brenna McCabe, Publicist State House
Room 20 Providence, RI 02903 (401) 222-2457
http://webserver.rilin.state.ri.us/News/pr1.asp?prid=9221