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ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION SURGES AND SOARS AT ANNUAL JUDGES' NIGHT
13:20, October 17, 2013
Several hundred dignitaries, public officials, and guests joined the
Armenian Bar Association on October 10, 2013, to celebrate, honor and
recognize the career and service of Los Angeles Superior Court Judge
Peter Espinoza. His first column of respect was comprised of nearly 40
judicial officers from the federal and state courts who had come to
pay homage and respect to one of their own. This truly special event
played out in full regalia during the Armenian Bar Association's Annual
Judges' Night Dinner at the Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale, CA.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Armenian Bar Association
Chairman Garo B. Ghazarian. After welcoming remarks by ArmenBar Board
member Gerard Kassabian, Ghazarian was introduced by Los Angeles
Superior Court Judge and former Armenian Bar Chairman, the Honorable
Zaven Sinanian. Judge Sinanian recognized Ghazarian by stating that
"Garo's whole concept in life is to serve the community, never
giving up, and relentlessly fighting for what is right in life." He
also applauded him for leading the organization toward unprecedented
heights of public service and achievement, while simultaneously serving
on multiple fronts. Sinanian also took a few moments to express his
heartfelt thanks to the evening's guest of honor, Peter Espinoza,
who was a mentor to Judge Sinanian when he first took the bench more
than 10 years ago.
In his opening remarks, Ghazarian stated, "Tonight, we thank Judge
Espinoza and his colleagues on the bench for their public service, for
their activism, for their commitment to the ideal that in order for
our civil society to progress, we must have a strong and independent
judiciary."
In an unprecedented show of Armenian community unity and cohesion,
usually reserved for April 24th commemorations, Chairman Ghazarian
thanked and acknowledged the presence of Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Central Committee Chairman, Dr. Viken Hovsepian, Armenian
Democratic League Central Committee Board member, Dr. Raffi Balian,
Armenian General Benevolent Union Vice-President, World-Wide Board
of Governors, Mr. Sinan Sinanian, and Armenian National Committee
Western United States Chairwoman, Nora Hovsepian.
Ghazarian then called upon Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior
Court, David Wesley, to address the rapt audience. Wesley described
the enormous challenges that face the Californiajudiciary today,
noting the massive budget cuts that have been imposed upon the court
system. But, despite those setbacks in funding, he explained that the
California courts are still seen as a model for judicial excellence
across the country. He thanked the judges in attendance for maintaining
the highest levels of judicial performance in these difficult times.
Another very special guest for the evening was Judge Fred Rotenberg
of the Los Angeles Superior Court, currently sitting in Glendale,
California. Judge Rotenberg was one of the guests of honor at the
Inaugural Judges' Night of the Armenian Bar Association last year.
Judge Rotenberg thanked the Armenian Bar Association for bestowing
on him with the public recognition for his work as a judge. He stated
that he shares a common history with the Armenian community in that he,
like many in the audience, saw their parents and grandparents endure
extreme hardship. Judge Rotenberg's mother, Helen, is a Holocaust
survivor and was present at last year's Judges' Night event.
Judge Rotenberg stated that he understands how these experiences impact
a person's life and he is mindful of this in his work as a judge.
In an unexpected moment during the evening, former Mayor of
Pasadena presented Ghazarian with a medal of honor for his efforts
in persuading the City of Pasadena to establish an Armenian Genocide
Memorial in Pasadena's Memorial Park. Mr. Paparian explained that
work on the monument will begin on April 24, 2014, and the memorial
will be consecrated on the occasion of the 100th commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 1915.
There were many civic leaders in attendance at the gala event, among
them the mayor of Glendale, Dave Weaver, the Treasurer of the City
of Glendale, Rafi Manoukian, member of the Glendale City Council and
Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit
Authority, Ara Najarian, Montebello City Councilman, Jack Hadjinian,
the leadership of the Glendale Police Department led by Deputy
Chief Carl Povalitis, and Chief Jim McDonnell, who is the Chief of
the Long Beach Police Department and President of the Los Angeles
County Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief McDonnell spoke of his
background as a child of Irish immigrants and how the diversity of
America, being a nation of immigrants, has strengthened the country.
The highlight of the evening was the honoring of Judge Peter Espinoza.
Ghazarian explained to the audience that the Judges' Night dinner was
originally scheduled to take place a week earlier, but that it was
delayed because Judge Espinoza would still be in Armenia at that time.
Ghazarian fondly recalled that Judge Espinoza, through his activism
in the Chicano movement, his respect for cultural diversity born of
his own roots as a Mexican-American, his understanding of the cause
for civil and human rights brought to the forefront by people such
as Cesar Chavez, has enriched California's judiciary to make it truly
reflective of its citizenry. Ghazarian added that Judge Espinoza has
been so highly respected as a member of the judiciary that California's
governors often consult Judge Espinoza for his recommendations for
new judicial appointments to the bench. Ghazarian then welcomed Judge
Espinoza to the podium to a standing ovation.
Judge Espinoza began his remarks by acknowledging several members of
his family who accompanied him to the event, including his wife, two
of his children and their spouses and a grandchild. He reminisced
about his youth growing up in East Los Angeles and reminded the
audience that beforeHollywood, Glendale and the Valley, the origin of
the first Armenian community in Southern California was in East Los
Angeles and Montebello. He recalled meeting many Armenians in his
childhood and mentioned that he never thought he would ever visit
Armenia at that time. But that trip he never thought he would take,
he explained to the guests, recently became a reality because of the
outstanding work of his daughter, Elizabeth Espinoza. Judge Espinoza's
daughter is a volunteer for the United States Peace Corp and has been
teaching English in the small village of Shatin in southernArmenia
for the past 17 months. Judge Espinoza told the audience that the
recent visit to Armeniaby him and his wife Dyanna, far exceeded his
expectations. He urged everyone in the audience to "come to Armenia"
to experience its rich history, its beauty and to aid the Armenian
people to realize their full potential. He also explained that while
the capital of Yerevan is a major cosmopolitan city that reminded
him of Mexico City, he alerted the audience that life in the Armenian
villages is far different and that the people there need assistance
with infrastructure and other basic necessities.
Espinoza fondly recalled that a highlight of his trip was when he met
and visited with Raffi K. Hovannisian, the founder of the Armenian Bar
Association and this year's leading Armenian presidential candidate.
Judge Espinoza mentioned that he had recently read the best-selling
book, Family of Shadows, written by Raffi's son, Garin, and he very
much wanted to visit Raffi and see for himself who this both modest and
larger-than-life person was. Chairman Ghazarian was able to arrange
a meeting and Judge Espinoza was inspired by Raffi's and his wife's
Armine's commitment to the people of Armenia. He likened Raffi's work
to that of a modern-day Martin Luther King or Cesar Chavez.
Judge Espinoza also recalled that during his trip to Armenia, he
learned that toasting is an important part of a social gathering. In
keeping with that grand tradition, Judge Espinoza gave two beautiful
toasts in honor of his daughter Elizabeth and to Raffi K. Hovannisian.
He asked the guests to raise their glasses in a "genatz" or "cheers."
Upon the conclusion of Judge Espinoza's remarks, the leadership of
the Armenian Bar Association--Ghazarian, Armen K. Hovannisian and
Edvin Minassian--presented Judge Espinoza with an original work of
art from artist, Seroon Yeretsian, eloquently inscribed with poetic
words of gratitude for Judge Espinoza's life work in public service
and the promotion of civil and human rights.
In an interview following the event, Chairman Ghazarian stated:
"I am very proud of the Armenian Bar Association. Once again we were
able to recognize and honor the best and brightest of our judicial and
legal community, like Judge Peter Espinoza. The outstanding response
from a diverse cross-section of our community to our Judges' Night
represents another major milestone for our organization and the
Armenian community. We look forward to carrying on this tradition
for years to come".
ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION
http://hetq.am/eng/news/30064/armenian-bar-association-surges-and-soars-at-annual-judges%E2%80%99-night.html
13:20, October 17, 2013
Several hundred dignitaries, public officials, and guests joined the
Armenian Bar Association on October 10, 2013, to celebrate, honor and
recognize the career and service of Los Angeles Superior Court Judge
Peter Espinoza. His first column of respect was comprised of nearly 40
judicial officers from the federal and state courts who had come to
pay homage and respect to one of their own. This truly special event
played out in full regalia during the Armenian Bar Association's Annual
Judges' Night Dinner at the Phoenicia Restaurant in Glendale, CA.
The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Armenian Bar Association
Chairman Garo B. Ghazarian. After welcoming remarks by ArmenBar Board
member Gerard Kassabian, Ghazarian was introduced by Los Angeles
Superior Court Judge and former Armenian Bar Chairman, the Honorable
Zaven Sinanian. Judge Sinanian recognized Ghazarian by stating that
"Garo's whole concept in life is to serve the community, never
giving up, and relentlessly fighting for what is right in life." He
also applauded him for leading the organization toward unprecedented
heights of public service and achievement, while simultaneously serving
on multiple fronts. Sinanian also took a few moments to express his
heartfelt thanks to the evening's guest of honor, Peter Espinoza,
who was a mentor to Judge Sinanian when he first took the bench more
than 10 years ago.
In his opening remarks, Ghazarian stated, "Tonight, we thank Judge
Espinoza and his colleagues on the bench for their public service, for
their activism, for their commitment to the ideal that in order for
our civil society to progress, we must have a strong and independent
judiciary."
In an unprecedented show of Armenian community unity and cohesion,
usually reserved for April 24th commemorations, Chairman Ghazarian
thanked and acknowledged the presence of Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Central Committee Chairman, Dr. Viken Hovsepian, Armenian
Democratic League Central Committee Board member, Dr. Raffi Balian,
Armenian General Benevolent Union Vice-President, World-Wide Board
of Governors, Mr. Sinan Sinanian, and Armenian National Committee
Western United States Chairwoman, Nora Hovsepian.
Ghazarian then called upon Presiding Judge of the Los Angeles Superior
Court, David Wesley, to address the rapt audience. Wesley described
the enormous challenges that face the Californiajudiciary today,
noting the massive budget cuts that have been imposed upon the court
system. But, despite those setbacks in funding, he explained that the
California courts are still seen as a model for judicial excellence
across the country. He thanked the judges in attendance for maintaining
the highest levels of judicial performance in these difficult times.
Another very special guest for the evening was Judge Fred Rotenberg
of the Los Angeles Superior Court, currently sitting in Glendale,
California. Judge Rotenberg was one of the guests of honor at the
Inaugural Judges' Night of the Armenian Bar Association last year.
Judge Rotenberg thanked the Armenian Bar Association for bestowing
on him with the public recognition for his work as a judge. He stated
that he shares a common history with the Armenian community in that he,
like many in the audience, saw their parents and grandparents endure
extreme hardship. Judge Rotenberg's mother, Helen, is a Holocaust
survivor and was present at last year's Judges' Night event.
Judge Rotenberg stated that he understands how these experiences impact
a person's life and he is mindful of this in his work as a judge.
In an unexpected moment during the evening, former Mayor of
Pasadena presented Ghazarian with a medal of honor for his efforts
in persuading the City of Pasadena to establish an Armenian Genocide
Memorial in Pasadena's Memorial Park. Mr. Paparian explained that
work on the monument will begin on April 24, 2014, and the memorial
will be consecrated on the occasion of the 100th commemoration of
the Armenian Genocide on April 24, 1915.
There were many civic leaders in attendance at the gala event, among
them the mayor of Glendale, Dave Weaver, the Treasurer of the City
of Glendale, Rafi Manoukian, member of the Glendale City Council and
Board of Directors of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit
Authority, Ara Najarian, Montebello City Councilman, Jack Hadjinian,
the leadership of the Glendale Police Department led by Deputy
Chief Carl Povalitis, and Chief Jim McDonnell, who is the Chief of
the Long Beach Police Department and President of the Los Angeles
County Association of Chiefs of Police. Chief McDonnell spoke of his
background as a child of Irish immigrants and how the diversity of
America, being a nation of immigrants, has strengthened the country.
The highlight of the evening was the honoring of Judge Peter Espinoza.
Ghazarian explained to the audience that the Judges' Night dinner was
originally scheduled to take place a week earlier, but that it was
delayed because Judge Espinoza would still be in Armenia at that time.
Ghazarian fondly recalled that Judge Espinoza, through his activism
in the Chicano movement, his respect for cultural diversity born of
his own roots as a Mexican-American, his understanding of the cause
for civil and human rights brought to the forefront by people such
as Cesar Chavez, has enriched California's judiciary to make it truly
reflective of its citizenry. Ghazarian added that Judge Espinoza has
been so highly respected as a member of the judiciary that California's
governors often consult Judge Espinoza for his recommendations for
new judicial appointments to the bench. Ghazarian then welcomed Judge
Espinoza to the podium to a standing ovation.
Judge Espinoza began his remarks by acknowledging several members of
his family who accompanied him to the event, including his wife, two
of his children and their spouses and a grandchild. He reminisced
about his youth growing up in East Los Angeles and reminded the
audience that beforeHollywood, Glendale and the Valley, the origin of
the first Armenian community in Southern California was in East Los
Angeles and Montebello. He recalled meeting many Armenians in his
childhood and mentioned that he never thought he would ever visit
Armenia at that time. But that trip he never thought he would take,
he explained to the guests, recently became a reality because of the
outstanding work of his daughter, Elizabeth Espinoza. Judge Espinoza's
daughter is a volunteer for the United States Peace Corp and has been
teaching English in the small village of Shatin in southernArmenia
for the past 17 months. Judge Espinoza told the audience that the
recent visit to Armeniaby him and his wife Dyanna, far exceeded his
expectations. He urged everyone in the audience to "come to Armenia"
to experience its rich history, its beauty and to aid the Armenian
people to realize their full potential. He also explained that while
the capital of Yerevan is a major cosmopolitan city that reminded
him of Mexico City, he alerted the audience that life in the Armenian
villages is far different and that the people there need assistance
with infrastructure and other basic necessities.
Espinoza fondly recalled that a highlight of his trip was when he met
and visited with Raffi K. Hovannisian, the founder of the Armenian Bar
Association and this year's leading Armenian presidential candidate.
Judge Espinoza mentioned that he had recently read the best-selling
book, Family of Shadows, written by Raffi's son, Garin, and he very
much wanted to visit Raffi and see for himself who this both modest and
larger-than-life person was. Chairman Ghazarian was able to arrange
a meeting and Judge Espinoza was inspired by Raffi's and his wife's
Armine's commitment to the people of Armenia. He likened Raffi's work
to that of a modern-day Martin Luther King or Cesar Chavez.
Judge Espinoza also recalled that during his trip to Armenia, he
learned that toasting is an important part of a social gathering. In
keeping with that grand tradition, Judge Espinoza gave two beautiful
toasts in honor of his daughter Elizabeth and to Raffi K. Hovannisian.
He asked the guests to raise their glasses in a "genatz" or "cheers."
Upon the conclusion of Judge Espinoza's remarks, the leadership of
the Armenian Bar Association--Ghazarian, Armen K. Hovannisian and
Edvin Minassian--presented Judge Espinoza with an original work of
art from artist, Seroon Yeretsian, eloquently inscribed with poetic
words of gratitude for Judge Espinoza's life work in public service
and the promotion of civil and human rights.
In an interview following the event, Chairman Ghazarian stated:
"I am very proud of the Armenian Bar Association. Once again we were
able to recognize and honor the best and brightest of our judicial and
legal community, like Judge Peter Espinoza. The outstanding response
from a diverse cross-section of our community to our Judges' Night
represents another major milestone for our organization and the
Armenian community. We look forward to carrying on this tradition
for years to come".
ARMENIAN BAR ASSOCIATION
http://hetq.am/eng/news/30064/armenian-bar-association-surges-and-soars-at-annual-judges%E2%80%99-night.html