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Sen. Menendez Celebrates Independence Day with Community
http://asbarez.com/114178/sen-menendez-celebrates-independence-day-with-community-2/
Sunday, September 22nd, 2013
by Ara Khachatourian
Sen. Menendez addresses the community during Armenia's Independence
celebration in Glendlae
The Republic of Armenia is but a link in the chain of our greater
ideals, says Dr. Viken Hovsepian.
GLENDALE-Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Robert Menendez
attended and addressed a community celebration of the 22nd anniversary
of Armenia's Independence on Sunday at the Glendale Youth Center.
In his remarks, Menendez recalled the heroic perseverance of the
Armenian people who took up arms to defend their homeland in 1918,
establishing the Independent Republic of Armenia, and after seven
decades of Soviet rule, once again declared their will to live freely.
The senator also praised the contribution of Armenian Americans to the
fabric of life in the United States, and highlighted the contributions
of the Armenian National Committee of America in advancing the just
aspirations of the Armenian people and advocating for their rights.
Menedez also said that the time has come for the United States to join
the European Union and 19 other countries and recognize the Armenian
Genocide. He recalled Hitler's famous quote `who now remembers the
Armenians' before embarking on the Holocaust. `We remember,' he
declared.
The senator also took time to meet and greet the community members
gathered to mark Armenia's independence.
Sen. Menendez with Dr. Viken Hovsepian
Also speaking during the program was Dr. Viken Hovsepian, the chairman
of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee.
In his remarks Hovsepian highlighted the need to work hard and
sacrifice to preserve independence and advance our national ideals.
`We understood it at its inception and we understand it even better
now that independence is not a date-specific event and that it's a
process which requires hard work and sacrifice,' said Hovsepian, `The
independent Republic of Armenia is but a link in the chain of our
goals and dreams-the chain which symbolizes our ideals for a more
free, more independent, definitely more just and democratic Armenia
which will serve as an anchor to our larger dreams of a complete and
united Armenia.'
`The link by itself is not complete, and the chain missing a single
link stops becoming the chain that it is,' explained Hovsepian who
emphasized the importance of the inclusion and involvement of every
Armenian in the advancement of the Armenian nation.
The community gathered to celebrate Armenia's Independence
`We cannot understand those who consider the efforts for a better
Republic of Armenia to be the monopoly of those living within the
boundaries of our incomplete, 29,000 square kilometers, partial state,
as three-fourths of our Nation lives outside of those territories,'
said Hovsepian.
`Those who live outside of Armrenia played an instrumental role in
battling the Soviet rule over Armenia, and they will go on shaping a
better Armenia in the present times,' said Hovsepian. `Irrespective of
where an Armenian lives, it is his or her service and the level of
dedication that matters and not the soil on which he or she lives on.
It is incumbent upon us to re dedicate ourselves today, on this solemn
and happy occasion, to the service of our nation, and to that link
which we call the Republic of Armenia, in the name of the chain of our
ideals.'
Artak Galstyan, representing Armenia's Consulate General, addresses
the gathering
Representing Armenia's Consulate General, Artak Galstyan addressed the
gathering, highlighting the importance of the day and critical turning
point Armenia's independence was in history.
The program began with the singing of the national anthems, with
Glendale Youth Center's Balabek Barsamyan welcoming the community to
the celebration, which was concluded with a receptio
From: A. Papazian
http://asbarez.com/114178/sen-menendez-celebrates-independence-day-with-community-2/
Sunday, September 22nd, 2013
by Ara Khachatourian
Sen. Menendez addresses the community during Armenia's Independence
celebration in Glendlae
The Republic of Armenia is but a link in the chain of our greater
ideals, says Dr. Viken Hovsepian.
GLENDALE-Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Robert Menendez
attended and addressed a community celebration of the 22nd anniversary
of Armenia's Independence on Sunday at the Glendale Youth Center.
In his remarks, Menendez recalled the heroic perseverance of the
Armenian people who took up arms to defend their homeland in 1918,
establishing the Independent Republic of Armenia, and after seven
decades of Soviet rule, once again declared their will to live freely.
The senator also praised the contribution of Armenian Americans to the
fabric of life in the United States, and highlighted the contributions
of the Armenian National Committee of America in advancing the just
aspirations of the Armenian people and advocating for their rights.
Menedez also said that the time has come for the United States to join
the European Union and 19 other countries and recognize the Armenian
Genocide. He recalled Hitler's famous quote `who now remembers the
Armenians' before embarking on the Holocaust. `We remember,' he
declared.
The senator also took time to meet and greet the community members
gathered to mark Armenia's independence.
Sen. Menendez with Dr. Viken Hovsepian
Also speaking during the program was Dr. Viken Hovsepian, the chairman
of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee.
In his remarks Hovsepian highlighted the need to work hard and
sacrifice to preserve independence and advance our national ideals.
`We understood it at its inception and we understand it even better
now that independence is not a date-specific event and that it's a
process which requires hard work and sacrifice,' said Hovsepian, `The
independent Republic of Armenia is but a link in the chain of our
goals and dreams-the chain which symbolizes our ideals for a more
free, more independent, definitely more just and democratic Armenia
which will serve as an anchor to our larger dreams of a complete and
united Armenia.'
`The link by itself is not complete, and the chain missing a single
link stops becoming the chain that it is,' explained Hovsepian who
emphasized the importance of the inclusion and involvement of every
Armenian in the advancement of the Armenian nation.
The community gathered to celebrate Armenia's Independence
`We cannot understand those who consider the efforts for a better
Republic of Armenia to be the monopoly of those living within the
boundaries of our incomplete, 29,000 square kilometers, partial state,
as three-fourths of our Nation lives outside of those territories,'
said Hovsepian.
`Those who live outside of Armrenia played an instrumental role in
battling the Soviet rule over Armenia, and they will go on shaping a
better Armenia in the present times,' said Hovsepian. `Irrespective of
where an Armenian lives, it is his or her service and the level of
dedication that matters and not the soil on which he or she lives on.
It is incumbent upon us to re dedicate ourselves today, on this solemn
and happy occasion, to the service of our nation, and to that link
which we call the Republic of Armenia, in the name of the chain of our
ideals.'
Artak Galstyan, representing Armenia's Consulate General, addresses
the gathering
Representing Armenia's Consulate General, Artak Galstyan addressed the
gathering, highlighting the importance of the day and critical turning
point Armenia's independence was in history.
The program began with the singing of the national anthems, with
Glendale Youth Center's Balabek Barsamyan welcoming the community to
the celebration, which was concluded with a receptio
From: A. Papazian