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ARMENIAN GENOCIDE CENTENARY MARKED ON CAPITOL HILL
April 23, 2015 - 14:35 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Members of Congress joined with Armenian Americans
from throughout the U.S. at the Capitol Hill observance of the Armenian
Genocide Centennial, an evening of moving tributes and equally powerful
calls for the President Obama to reject Turkey's gag-rule and press
Ankara toward a truthful and just resolution of this crime against
humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Hundreds gathered for the solemn observance in the historic Cannon
Caucus Room, organized by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
with the participation of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia,
the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Armenian American
organizations.
Master of Ceremonies, Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian,
expertly guided the evening which included poignant remarks by
Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar
(D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and over
20 U.S. Representatives, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
(D-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and Robert Dold (R-IL) and Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI),
Katherine Clark (D-MA), Ed Royce (R-CA), Crescent Hardy (R-NV),
Jim Costa (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Tim
Walz (D-MN), Danny Davis (D-IL), John Sarbanes (D-CA), Adam Schiff
(D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Judy Chu (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA),
Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Dave Brat (R-VA). Other
Members who attended the observance did not offer remarks, including
Representatives Joe Heck (R-NV), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Rep.
Janice Hahn (D-CA), Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), Rep. John Conyers
(D-CA) and Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA).
"100 years have passed since the start of the Armenian Genocide and
the time is long past due to acknowledge the atrocities committed
against the Armenian people for exactly what they were - genocide,"
said Congressman Pallone. "Tonight, as we commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we remember the lives of the
one and a half million Armenians who were needlessly slaughtered by
Ottoman Turks during the 20th century's first genocide. As we join
together to renew our commitment to prevent and end injustices where
they exist, Turkey must also come to terms with its own history and
prevent a shroud of denial from covering up one of the most horrific
tragedies in world history."
"Whether the Armenian Genocide happened is not a matter of opinion
-- it is established fact," said Congressman Dold. "As the world's
greatest advocate for freedom, the United States' has an obligation
to fully acknowledge one of humanity's most horrific crimes. An
unequivocal statement of recognition would not only reinforce our
own resolve, but it would also help prevent future genocides by
reaffirming that we will not tolerate affronts to human dignity."
The convocation for the evening was offered by His Eminence Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of the Eastern United States and the closing prayer was offered
by the Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church
in Wynnewood, PA. Moving remarks were offered by Armenian Ambassador
to the U.S. Tigran Sargsyan and Nagorno Karabakh Representative to
U.S. Robert Avetisyan. ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian and
Armenian Assembly Board Member Annie Totah shared their message
with attendees.
This year's Capitol Hill Observance included a special focus on
American philanthropy during the Armenian Genocide. Featuring high
quality reproductions of archival photographs and documents, the
27-panel exhibition - titled, "They Shall Not Perish: The Story of
Near East Relief" - chronicled the launch and legacy of the Near East
Foundation (formerly known as Near East Relief). As America's first
collective display of humanitarian aid overseas in direct response to
reports of genocidal acts against Armenians and other minorities of the
Ottoman Empire, NEF's relief efforts over fifteen years raised more
than $116 million (over $2 billion in today's dollars) and mobilized
hundreds of volunteers to save more than one million lives and care
for 132,000 orphans.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/191082/
From: Baghdasarian
April 23, 2015 - 14:35 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - Members of Congress joined with Armenian Americans
from throughout the U.S. at the Capitol Hill observance of the Armenian
Genocide Centennial, an evening of moving tributes and equally powerful
calls for the President Obama to reject Turkey's gag-rule and press
Ankara toward a truthful and just resolution of this crime against
humanity, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
Hundreds gathered for the solemn observance in the historic Cannon
Caucus Room, organized by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues
with the participation of the Embassy of the Republic of Armenia,
the Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic and Armenian American
organizations.
Master of Ceremonies, Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian,
expertly guided the evening which included poignant remarks by
Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Amy Klobuchar
(D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and over
20 U.S. Representatives, including Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi
(D-CA), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ)
and Robert Dold (R-IL) and Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI),
Katherine Clark (D-MA), Ed Royce (R-CA), Crescent Hardy (R-NV),
Jim Costa (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Tim
Walz (D-MN), Danny Davis (D-IL), John Sarbanes (D-CA), Adam Schiff
(D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Judy Chu (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA),
Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Dave Brat (R-VA). Other
Members who attended the observance did not offer remarks, including
Representatives Joe Heck (R-NV), Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Rep.
Janice Hahn (D-CA), Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), Rep. John Conyers
(D-CA) and Rep. Karen Bass (D-CA).
"100 years have passed since the start of the Armenian Genocide and
the time is long past due to acknowledge the atrocities committed
against the Armenian people for exactly what they were - genocide,"
said Congressman Pallone. "Tonight, as we commemorate the 100th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, we remember the lives of the
one and a half million Armenians who were needlessly slaughtered by
Ottoman Turks during the 20th century's first genocide. As we join
together to renew our commitment to prevent and end injustices where
they exist, Turkey must also come to terms with its own history and
prevent a shroud of denial from covering up one of the most horrific
tragedies in world history."
"Whether the Armenian Genocide happened is not a matter of opinion
-- it is established fact," said Congressman Dold. "As the world's
greatest advocate for freedom, the United States' has an obligation
to fully acknowledge one of humanity's most horrific crimes. An
unequivocal statement of recognition would not only reinforce our
own resolve, but it would also help prevent future genocides by
reaffirming that we will not tolerate affronts to human dignity."
The convocation for the evening was offered by His Eminence Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of the Eastern United States and the closing prayer was offered
by the Very Rev. Fr. Oshagan Gulgulian of Sts. Sahag and Mesrob Church
in Wynnewood, PA. Moving remarks were offered by Armenian Ambassador
to the U.S. Tigran Sargsyan and Nagorno Karabakh Representative to
U.S. Robert Avetisyan. ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian and
Armenian Assembly Board Member Annie Totah shared their message
with attendees.
This year's Capitol Hill Observance included a special focus on
American philanthropy during the Armenian Genocide. Featuring high
quality reproductions of archival photographs and documents, the
27-panel exhibition - titled, "They Shall Not Perish: The Story of
Near East Relief" - chronicled the launch and legacy of the Near East
Foundation (formerly known as Near East Relief). As America's first
collective display of humanitarian aid overseas in direct response to
reports of genocidal acts against Armenians and other minorities of the
Ottoman Empire, NEF's relief efforts over fifteen years raised more
than $116 million (over $2 billion in today's dollars) and mobilized
hundreds of volunteers to save more than one million lives and care
for 132,000 orphans.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/191082/
From: Baghdasarian