PRESS RELEASE
December 9, 2014
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Web: www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY HONORS ELIZABETH HANESSIAN AT ANNUAL HOLIDAY RECEPTION
WASHINGTON, DC - On Sunday, November 23rd, the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly) held its annual Holiday Reception at the Embassy of
Armenia in Washington, D.C., reported the Assembly. This year, the Assembly
honored Elizabeth Alice Hanessian, and her late husband, Dr. John
Hanessian, Jr., for their role in the founding of the Armenian Assembly and
their contributions to the Armenian American community. A capacity crowd
remembered and reflected on the life, success, and dedication of the
Hanessians to the advancement of Armenian American issues in our nation's
capital.
Assembly Board Member Aram Gavoor served as the afternoon's Master of
Ceremonies. He discussed the role of Dr. Hanessian, to whom he referred as
a `founding father' of the Assembly in the early 1970's. Gavoor praised
those dedicated Armenian Americans who traveled to Washington from across
the United States to discuss forming an `Assembly' of Armenian American
organizations.
`Elizabeth Klanian Hanessian is a great lady, a dedicated and loving mother
of four boys, and the rock and support behind her husband, John Hanessian,
and his legacy,' stated Assembly Board Member Annie Totah before presenting
the award. In her remarks, Totah described Elizabeth and John's
relationship as a `moving love story,' and offered historical background
into their lives during the founding of the Armenian Assembly.
`I am very proud of him, and love him for everything he did in his
lifetime,' stated Alice Hanessian upon accepting the award.
Hratchia Tashchian, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to
the United States, offered remarks on behalf of Ambassador Tigran Sargsyan.
`[The] Armenian Assembly of America is one of the most important
organizations of the Armenian Diaspora,' he said. `Being established as a
nonpartisan organization, it proved to be very efficient in consolidating
the potential of the Armenian Diaspora. It is not accidental, therefore,
that today the Assembly plays a pivotal role in presenting and promoting
Armenian interests in the United States of America,' Tashchian said.
The program included an uplifting invocation by Rev. Fr. Vartanes
Kalayjian. Der Vartanes led the crowd in prayer before enjoying the
delicious Armenian cuisine and refreshments graciously provided by the
Assembly Capital Regional Council (CRC). The musical interlude provided by
famed pianist Naira Babayan drew avid applause, as guests heard selections
from Alexander Arutiunian and Aram Khachadurian. Also on hand from the
national Daughters of Vartan were Grand Matron Lisa Kradjian and Naira
Serobyan.
The Assembly would like to thank Clara Andonian and Doris George, Co-Chairs
of the Assembly's CRC, and all the members, namely: Naira Babayan,
Nadya
Carson, Seda Gelenian, Anahid Ghazarian, Yer. Anahid Kalayjian, Nora
Maghrablian, Anahid Nishanian, and Marguerite Satian. The Assembly also
thanks event co-hosts Naira Babayan and Anahid Nishanian for their
generosity and support.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR: # 2014-055
Photo Caption 1 (L-R): Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Assembly
Board Member Aram Gavoor, Esq., Elizabeth Alice Hanessian, Ambassador
Tigran Sargsyan's wife Gohar Sargsyan, Assembly Board Member Annie
Totah,
Christopher Hanessian (back), and Deputy Chief of Mission Hratchia
Tashchian.
Photo Caption 2: Assembly Board Member Annie Totah presents an award to
Elizabeth Alice Hanessian.
Photo Caption 3 (L-R): Daughters of Vartan Grand Matron Lisa Kradjian,
Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, Assembly Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny, Sonia Ketchoyian, and Nairi Serobyan.
Available online: http://bit.ly/1ywtqc2
December 9, 2014
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
Web: www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY HONORS ELIZABETH HANESSIAN AT ANNUAL HOLIDAY RECEPTION
WASHINGTON, DC - On Sunday, November 23rd, the Armenian Assembly of
America (Assembly) held its annual Holiday Reception at the Embassy of
Armenia in Washington, D.C., reported the Assembly. This year, the Assembly
honored Elizabeth Alice Hanessian, and her late husband, Dr. John
Hanessian, Jr., for their role in the founding of the Armenian Assembly and
their contributions to the Armenian American community. A capacity crowd
remembered and reflected on the life, success, and dedication of the
Hanessians to the advancement of Armenian American issues in our nation's
capital.
Assembly Board Member Aram Gavoor served as the afternoon's Master of
Ceremonies. He discussed the role of Dr. Hanessian, to whom he referred as
a `founding father' of the Assembly in the early 1970's. Gavoor praised
those dedicated Armenian Americans who traveled to Washington from across
the United States to discuss forming an `Assembly' of Armenian American
organizations.
`Elizabeth Klanian Hanessian is a great lady, a dedicated and loving mother
of four boys, and the rock and support behind her husband, John Hanessian,
and his legacy,' stated Assembly Board Member Annie Totah before presenting
the award. In her remarks, Totah described Elizabeth and John's
relationship as a `moving love story,' and offered historical background
into their lives during the founding of the Armenian Assembly.
`I am very proud of him, and love him for everything he did in his
lifetime,' stated Alice Hanessian upon accepting the award.
Hratchia Tashchian, Deputy Chief of Mission of the Republic of Armenia to
the United States, offered remarks on behalf of Ambassador Tigran Sargsyan.
`[The] Armenian Assembly of America is one of the most important
organizations of the Armenian Diaspora,' he said. `Being established as a
nonpartisan organization, it proved to be very efficient in consolidating
the potential of the Armenian Diaspora. It is not accidental, therefore,
that today the Assembly plays a pivotal role in presenting and promoting
Armenian interests in the United States of America,' Tashchian said.
The program included an uplifting invocation by Rev. Fr. Vartanes
Kalayjian. Der Vartanes led the crowd in prayer before enjoying the
delicious Armenian cuisine and refreshments graciously provided by the
Assembly Capital Regional Council (CRC). The musical interlude provided by
famed pianist Naira Babayan drew avid applause, as guests heard selections
from Alexander Arutiunian and Aram Khachadurian. Also on hand from the
national Daughters of Vartan were Grand Matron Lisa Kradjian and Naira
Serobyan.
The Assembly would like to thank Clara Andonian and Doris George, Co-Chairs
of the Assembly's CRC, and all the members, namely: Naira Babayan,
Nadya
Carson, Seda Gelenian, Anahid Ghazarian, Yer. Anahid Kalayjian, Nora
Maghrablian, Anahid Nishanian, and Marguerite Satian. The Assembly also
thanks event co-hosts Naira Babayan and Anahid Nishanian for their
generosity and support.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and
awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR: # 2014-055
Photo Caption 1 (L-R): Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Assembly
Board Member Aram Gavoor, Esq., Elizabeth Alice Hanessian, Ambassador
Tigran Sargsyan's wife Gohar Sargsyan, Assembly Board Member Annie
Totah,
Christopher Hanessian (back), and Deputy Chief of Mission Hratchia
Tashchian.
Photo Caption 2: Assembly Board Member Annie Totah presents an award to
Elizabeth Alice Hanessian.
Photo Caption 3 (L-R): Daughters of Vartan Grand Matron Lisa Kradjian,
Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, Assembly Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny, Sonia Ketchoyian, and Nairi Serobyan.
Available online: http://bit.ly/1ywtqc2