Tweet
Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: 818.500.1918
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ancawr.org/
PRESS RELEASEd April 23, 2014
Contact: Elen Asatryan
Cell: 818.523.8389 Office: 818.500.1919
CITY OF PICO RIVERA HONORS ARTSAKH; ESTABLISHES FRIENDSHIP CITY WITH
TOWN OF KARVACHAR
PICO RIVERA, CA - On April 22, 2014, the Pico Rivera City Council
unanimously passed a resolution honoring the Republic of Artsakh
(Nagorno Karabagh) and its citizens, announcing the town of Karvachar,
Artsakh and the City of Pico Rivera as "Friendship Cities", reported
the Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region (ANCA-WR).
The resolution goes on to recognize the sacrifices, dedication and
resolve shown by the residents of Karvachar and the Republic of
Artsakh in the face of extreme adversity.
"We stand proud with the City of Pico Rivera for the unanimous passage
of this critical resolution spotlighting the shared values with the
people of Karvajar and thank the councilmembers and the community
organizations who worked hard to bring it to fruition," stated ANCA WR
Executive Director, Elen Asatryan. "We are confident that this will
be the beginning of a long, prosperous partnership between the two
cities and look forward to working with them in fostering that
relationship for years to come," added Asatryan.
Prior to the unanimous vote, representatives of the Armenian community
comprised of the ANCA San Gabriel Valley, the Armenian Cultural
Foundation and Armenian Mesrobian School, addressed the City Council
thanking the City of Pico Rivera for the many years of support,
hospitality, and service to the Armenian community and more
particularly to the Armenian Mesrobian School, the first Armenian
elementary school established in the United States. The community
spokespeople went on to present the historical importance of the town
of Karvachar and its contribution to the development of Christianity
in that area of the world. Montebello Councilmember Jack Hadjian
joined the community organizations and also spoke in support of the
resolution.
One after another, community members educated the crowd as they shared
how during the brutal era of the Soviet Union, under the dictatorship
of Josef Stalin, Artsakh was dismembered from its homeland of Armenia
and transferred to the Soviet Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan without
any regard for the fact that the region had been an integral part of
Armenia for thousands of years and that over 80% of the population of
the area was inhabited by Armenians.
The speakers also spoke about the suffering and tragedies of the
Armenian people under Azerbaijani dictatorial rule. The oppressive
policies of the Azarbaijani rulers culminated in the targeted
massacres of Armenians in Sumgait, Kirovabad and Bakue from 1988-1990,
the displacement of over 300,000 Armenians living in Azerbaijan and
the declaration of war against the people of Armenia and Artsakh. The
people of Artsakh having no other choice defended their homeland in
the face of incredible odds requiring the selfless sacrifice of
volunteer soldiers and their families.
After the vote, all councilmembers echoed how proud they were to have
passed this long overdue resolution, which they saw as a continuation
of the strong partnership the city shares with the Armenian community.
This year the town of Karvachar marks the 21st anniversary of its
liberation. Karvachar is a key strategic point for the Republic of
Artsakh because it provides a strong link between Armenia and the
Artsakh Republic. Its liberation was vitally important because it
secures the Northern and the Northeastern borders of Armenia and
Artsakh.
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.
###
Photo Caption 1: ANCA San Gabriel Board Member Levon Kirakosian
Addresses Pico Rivera City Council in Support of the Friendship City
Resolution.
Photo Caption 2: Pico Rivera City Councilmembers Discussing the Pico
Rivera Karvachar Friendship City Resolution
Photo Caption 3: Karvachar, Artsakh Map
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: 818.500.1918
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.ancawr.org/
PRESS RELEASEd April 23, 2014
Contact: Elen Asatryan
Cell: 818.523.8389 Office: 818.500.1919
CITY OF PICO RIVERA HONORS ARTSAKH; ESTABLISHES FRIENDSHIP CITY WITH
TOWN OF KARVACHAR
PICO RIVERA, CA - On April 22, 2014, the Pico Rivera City Council
unanimously passed a resolution honoring the Republic of Artsakh
(Nagorno Karabagh) and its citizens, announcing the town of Karvachar,
Artsakh and the City of Pico Rivera as "Friendship Cities", reported
the Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region (ANCA-WR).
The resolution goes on to recognize the sacrifices, dedication and
resolve shown by the residents of Karvachar and the Republic of
Artsakh in the face of extreme adversity.
"We stand proud with the City of Pico Rivera for the unanimous passage
of this critical resolution spotlighting the shared values with the
people of Karvajar and thank the councilmembers and the community
organizations who worked hard to bring it to fruition," stated ANCA WR
Executive Director, Elen Asatryan. "We are confident that this will
be the beginning of a long, prosperous partnership between the two
cities and look forward to working with them in fostering that
relationship for years to come," added Asatryan.
Prior to the unanimous vote, representatives of the Armenian community
comprised of the ANCA San Gabriel Valley, the Armenian Cultural
Foundation and Armenian Mesrobian School, addressed the City Council
thanking the City of Pico Rivera for the many years of support,
hospitality, and service to the Armenian community and more
particularly to the Armenian Mesrobian School, the first Armenian
elementary school established in the United States. The community
spokespeople went on to present the historical importance of the town
of Karvachar and its contribution to the development of Christianity
in that area of the world. Montebello Councilmember Jack Hadjian
joined the community organizations and also spoke in support of the
resolution.
One after another, community members educated the crowd as they shared
how during the brutal era of the Soviet Union, under the dictatorship
of Josef Stalin, Artsakh was dismembered from its homeland of Armenia
and transferred to the Soviet Socialist Republic of Azerbaijan without
any regard for the fact that the region had been an integral part of
Armenia for thousands of years and that over 80% of the population of
the area was inhabited by Armenians.
The speakers also spoke about the suffering and tragedies of the
Armenian people under Azerbaijani dictatorial rule. The oppressive
policies of the Azarbaijani rulers culminated in the targeted
massacres of Armenians in Sumgait, Kirovabad and Bakue from 1988-1990,
the displacement of over 300,000 Armenians living in Azerbaijan and
the declaration of war against the people of Armenia and Artsakh. The
people of Artsakh having no other choice defended their homeland in
the face of incredible odds requiring the selfless sacrifice of
volunteer soldiers and their families.
After the vote, all councilmembers echoed how proud they were to have
passed this long overdue resolution, which they saw as a continuation
of the strong partnership the city shares with the Armenian community.
This year the town of Karvachar marks the 21st anniversary of its
liberation. Karvachar is a key strategic point for the Republic of
Artsakh because it provides a strong link between Armenia and the
Artsakh Republic. Its liberation was vitally important because it
secures the Northern and the Northeastern borders of Armenia and
Artsakh.
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy
organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination
with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the
Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country,
the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community
on a broad range of issues.
###
Photo Caption 1: ANCA San Gabriel Board Member Levon Kirakosian
Addresses Pico Rivera City Council in Support of the Friendship City
Resolution.
Photo Caption 2: Pico Rivera City Councilmembers Discussing the Pico
Rivera Karvachar Friendship City Resolution
Photo Caption 3: Karvachar, Artsakh Map