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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 15, 2014
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ORPHAN RUG TO GO ON PUBLIC DISPLAY AT WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER
NEXT MONTH
WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is pleased
to announce that the White House is finalizing plans to prominently display
the Armenian Orphan Rug, also known as the Coolidge Rug, at the White House
Visitor Center November 18-23, 2014, reported the Assembly. The carpet will
be showcased as part of an exhibition entitled "Thank you to the United
States: Three Gifts to Presidents in Gratitude for American Generosity
Abroad," according to a statement from the White House shared in advance
with the Assembly.
The Assembly has been working with Members of Congress and the White House
to secure the release of the iconic carpet, woven by orphaned girls of the
1915 Armenian Genocide. The Coolidge Rug gained notoriety last year when a
planned exhibition of the carpet at the Smithsonian Institute was
cancelled. Media reports at the time alleged that the government of Turkey
ultimately blocked the planned exhibit.
Last November, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and David Valadao (R-CA)
spearheaded a letter to the White House, signed by over 30 Members of
Congress, urging the release of the Armenian Orphan Rug for public display.
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) also weighed in with a letter to the White House.
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) said the following
regarding today's announcement: "The White House has taken an important
step in recognizing historical accuracy by displaying the Armenian orphan
rug. The rug was presented to President Coolidge on behalf of the Armenian
people to honor the U.S. assistance provided during the Armenian genocide.
As a result, this cultural treasure has become a symbol of the strong and
historic ties between the United States and Armenia."
For over a decade, the Assembly has called on the White House and the State
Department to facilitate the release of the Armenian Orphan Rug for public
display. Following the cancelled exhibition at the Smithsonian, the
Assembly embarked on a #ReleaseTheRug campaign and has been working closely
with Dr. H. Martin Deranian, author of "President Calvin Coolidge and the
Armenian Orphan Rug," in raising awareness of this historic carpet. In
addition, the Assembly has displayed in Massachusetts and Florida a "Sister
Rug" woven by the same orphans. A presentation of the "Sister Rug" is also
planned for California on November 6, 2014.
In 1925, Dr. John H. Finley, editor-in-chief of the New York Times and
vice-chairman of the congressionally chartered Near East Relief
organization, presented a rug made by orphans of the Armenian Genocide to
President Calvin Coolidge. The rug was made in appreciation of America's
generosity in aiding the survivors of the first genocide of the 20th
Century. It was previously displayed at the White House in 1984 and 1995,
but not since.
"The Armenian Orphan Rug, given to President Coolidge as a symbolic thank
you for America;s humanitarian relief effort in helping to save the
survivors of the Armenian Genocide, is a treasured piece of American
history," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "As such we
welcome today's announcement by the White House and look forward to the
permanent display of this historic rug," Ardouny continued.
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 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
###
NR: # 2014-047
Available online at: http://bit.ly/ZEOJZM
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 15, 2014
Contact: Taniel Koushakjian
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ORPHAN RUG TO GO ON PUBLIC DISPLAY AT WHITE HOUSE VISITOR CENTER
NEXT MONTH
WASHINGTON, DC - The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) is pleased
to announce that the White House is finalizing plans to prominently display
the Armenian Orphan Rug, also known as the Coolidge Rug, at the White House
Visitor Center November 18-23, 2014, reported the Assembly. The carpet will
be showcased as part of an exhibition entitled "Thank you to the United
States: Three Gifts to Presidents in Gratitude for American Generosity
Abroad," according to a statement from the White House shared in advance
with the Assembly.
The Assembly has been working with Members of Congress and the White House
to secure the release of the iconic carpet, woven by orphaned girls of the
1915 Armenian Genocide. The Coolidge Rug gained notoriety last year when a
planned exhibition of the carpet at the Smithsonian Institute was
cancelled. Media reports at the time alleged that the government of Turkey
ultimately blocked the planned exhibit.
Last November, Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and David Valadao (R-CA)
spearheaded a letter to the White House, signed by over 30 Members of
Congress, urging the release of the Armenian Orphan Rug for public display.
Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) also weighed in with a letter to the White House.
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) said the following
regarding today's announcement: "The White House has taken an important
step in recognizing historical accuracy by displaying the Armenian orphan
rug. The rug was presented to President Coolidge on behalf of the Armenian
people to honor the U.S. assistance provided during the Armenian genocide.
As a result, this cultural treasure has become a symbol of the strong and
historic ties between the United States and Armenia."
For over a decade, the Assembly has called on the White House and the State
Department to facilitate the release of the Armenian Orphan Rug for public
display. Following the cancelled exhibition at the Smithsonian, the
Assembly embarked on a #ReleaseTheRug campaign and has been working closely
with Dr. H. Martin Deranian, author of "President Calvin Coolidge and the
Armenian Orphan Rug," in raising awareness of this historic carpet. In
addition, the Assembly has displayed in Massachusetts and Florida a "Sister
Rug" woven by the same orphans. A presentation of the "Sister Rug" is also
planned for California on November 6, 2014.
In 1925, Dr. John H. Finley, editor-in-chief of the New York Times and
vice-chairman of the congressionally chartered Near East Relief
organization, presented a rug made by orphans of the Armenian Genocide to
President Calvin Coolidge. The rug was made in appreciation of America's
generosity in aiding the survivors of the first genocide of the 20th
Century. It was previously displayed at the White House in 1984 and 1995,
but not since.
"The Armenian Orphan Rug, given to President Coolidge as a symbolic thank
you for America;s humanitarian relief effort in helping to save the
survivors of the Armenian Genocide, is a treasured piece of American
history," stated Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "As such we
welcome today's announcement by the White House and look forward to the
permanent display of this historic rug," Ardouny continued.
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 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
###
NR: # 2014-047
Available online at: http://bit.ly/ZEOJZM