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REP. SCHIFF TO HOST CAPITOL HILL EVENT HONORING AMERICA'S RELIEF EFFORTS TO VICTIMS OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
States News Service
February 18, 2014 Tuesday
WASHINGTON
The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Adam Schiff:
On March 3, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a lead sponsor of the Armenian
Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution (H.Res.227), will host a
Capitol Hill event honoring America's relief efforts to the victims
of the Armenian Genocide, a campaign that helped launch a century
of unparalleled U.S. leadership in meeting humanitarian needs around
the world. This event will serve to educate Capitol Hill lawmakers,
staff and the community about Americas efforts to help Armenians
after they were targeted for genocide, and the continuing need to
provide relief to those suffering around the globe.
The spirit of American care and compassion for the victims of the
Armenian Genocide is perhaps best symbolized by the Armenian Orphan
Rug, a work of art crafted by young survivors and gifted to the White
House by the Near East Relief a charitable organization inspired by
President Wilson and chartered by an Act of Congress. Regrettably, this
symbol of American generosity has yet to be released for display by the
White House, which caused the cancellation of a planned Smithsonian
Institution exhibit of the Rug in December of 2013. It is our hope
that the White House will agree to provide the rug for this event, but
in the absence of a commitment, the event will go forward nonetheless.
Americas role in helping Armenian survivors of the first genocide of
the 20th Century is a story worth telling and remembering, said Rep.
Adam Schiff. Its also important to remind policymakers of the
significant role the United States played in assisting the victims of
the Ottoman Empire during the dark days of World War I. The Armenian
Genocide, which occurred almost 100 years ago, was an event of such
catastrophic significance that all nations have a duty to educate their
citizens on what took place. Events like this highlighting Americas
important humanitarian role can only help to convince my colleagues
of the importance of finally recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
In a letter to the President last year urging the display of the rug,
Schiff and 32 other Members of Congress wrote: The Armenian Orphan Rug
is a piece of American history and it belongs to the American people.
For over a decade, Armenian American organizations have sought the
public display of the rug and have requested the White House and the
State Department grant their request on numerous occasions.
Unfortunately, Armenian Americans have yet to have their requests
granted. We urge you to release this American treasure for exhibition.
The Armenian Orphan Rug measures 11' 7" x 18' 5" and is comprised
of 4,404,206 individual knots. It took Armenian girls in the Ghazir
Orphanage of Near East Relief 10 months to weave. The rug was delivered
to President Coolidge on December 4, 1925, in time for Christmas,
with a label on the back of the rug, which reads "IN GOLDEN RULE
GRATITUDE TO PRESIDENT COOLIDGE." According to Missak Kelechian, an
expert on this topic, the gift of the Armenian Orphan Rug was widely
covered in U.S. media, including in the New York Times in 1925 and the
Washington Post in 1926. Additional information about the history of
the Armenian Orphan Rug is available in Dr. Hagop Martin Deranian's
book, "President Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug," published on
October 20, 2013, by the Armenian Cultural Foundation.
More information about the speakers and event will be available in
coming weeks, and it is currently scheduled for Monday, March 3rd at
5:00 pm in 2103 Rayburn House Office Building (subject to change).
States News Service
February 18, 2014 Tuesday
WASHINGTON
The following information was released by the office of California
Rep. Adam Schiff:
On March 3, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), a lead sponsor of the Armenian
Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution (H.Res.227), will host a
Capitol Hill event honoring America's relief efforts to the victims
of the Armenian Genocide, a campaign that helped launch a century
of unparalleled U.S. leadership in meeting humanitarian needs around
the world. This event will serve to educate Capitol Hill lawmakers,
staff and the community about Americas efforts to help Armenians
after they were targeted for genocide, and the continuing need to
provide relief to those suffering around the globe.
The spirit of American care and compassion for the victims of the
Armenian Genocide is perhaps best symbolized by the Armenian Orphan
Rug, a work of art crafted by young survivors and gifted to the White
House by the Near East Relief a charitable organization inspired by
President Wilson and chartered by an Act of Congress. Regrettably, this
symbol of American generosity has yet to be released for display by the
White House, which caused the cancellation of a planned Smithsonian
Institution exhibit of the Rug in December of 2013. It is our hope
that the White House will agree to provide the rug for this event, but
in the absence of a commitment, the event will go forward nonetheless.
Americas role in helping Armenian survivors of the first genocide of
the 20th Century is a story worth telling and remembering, said Rep.
Adam Schiff. Its also important to remind policymakers of the
significant role the United States played in assisting the victims of
the Ottoman Empire during the dark days of World War I. The Armenian
Genocide, which occurred almost 100 years ago, was an event of such
catastrophic significance that all nations have a duty to educate their
citizens on what took place. Events like this highlighting Americas
important humanitarian role can only help to convince my colleagues
of the importance of finally recognizing the Armenian Genocide.
In a letter to the President last year urging the display of the rug,
Schiff and 32 other Members of Congress wrote: The Armenian Orphan Rug
is a piece of American history and it belongs to the American people.
For over a decade, Armenian American organizations have sought the
public display of the rug and have requested the White House and the
State Department grant their request on numerous occasions.
Unfortunately, Armenian Americans have yet to have their requests
granted. We urge you to release this American treasure for exhibition.
The Armenian Orphan Rug measures 11' 7" x 18' 5" and is comprised
of 4,404,206 individual knots. It took Armenian girls in the Ghazir
Orphanage of Near East Relief 10 months to weave. The rug was delivered
to President Coolidge on December 4, 1925, in time for Christmas,
with a label on the back of the rug, which reads "IN GOLDEN RULE
GRATITUDE TO PRESIDENT COOLIDGE." According to Missak Kelechian, an
expert on this topic, the gift of the Armenian Orphan Rug was widely
covered in U.S. media, including in the New York Times in 1925 and the
Washington Post in 1926. Additional information about the history of
the Armenian Orphan Rug is available in Dr. Hagop Martin Deranian's
book, "President Coolidge and the Armenian Orphan Rug," published on
October 20, 2013, by the Armenian Cultural Foundation.
More information about the speakers and event will be available in
coming weeks, and it is currently scheduled for Monday, March 3rd at
5:00 pm in 2103 Rayburn House Office Building (subject to change).