Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
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PRESS RELEASE
March 9, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org
ASSEMBLY ANNUAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING BUILDS ON DECADES OF PROGRESS
Delray Beach, FL – Building on more than three decades of activism, the
Armenian Assembly of America held its annual Board of Trustees Weekend March
6-7 in Delray Beach, Florida. Assembly leaders, members and supporters
from across the nation attended, participating in business meetings,
question and answer sessions and social events.
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues member Rep. E. Clay Shaw, Jr. (R-FL)
and former South Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Richard Harpootlian,
also a new Assembly Fellow Trustee, were among the featured speakers.
In a major announcement, Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian said
that he is renovating a three-story historical building he gifted to the
Assembly to house its Yerevan offices and that the premises, located near
Republic Square, should open in two years.
Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar said of Hovnanian’s most recent
philanthropy: “This action is another example of his generosity, passion and
vision in support of the Assembly’s mission.”
A full day of highly successful business meetings at the Delray Beach
Marriott, the site of all weekend events, gave participants the opportunity
to voice their thoughts and views on the Assembly’s future direction and
relations with other non-partisan Armenian organizations. Hovnanian
underlined the importance of building on the working relationship with the
Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the Eastern and Western Diocese
of the Armenian Church, and the cooperation between the organizations in the
Assembly’s upcoming National Conference and Banquet in Washington, DC.
Another weekend highlight was the passing of the baton from outgoing Board
of Directors Chairman Peter Vosbikian to the incoming Chair Anthony
Barsamian, who formerly served as vice chair.
Vosbikian said he leaves confident in Barsamian’s leadership. “Anthony and I
have been working side by side over the past twelve months and I can assure
you he has already hit the ground running,” he said.
Vosbikian also saluted outgoing and longtime Board of Directors members
Edgar Hagopian of Michigan and Sam Hagopian of Texas, who he said never
hesitate “to do what is right for the people of Armenia and Karabakh.”
Vosbikian also acknowledged Dork Alahydoian and Flora Dunaians, both of whom
were not present, for their years of service on the Board of Directors.
Assembly leaders also helped welcome several new members to the Board of
Directors including Bryan Ardouny of Montana, Berge Ayvazian of
Massachusetts, Corinne Heditsian of Rhode Island and Lisa Kalustian of
California.
Also of special interest was a presentation by Assembly Life Trustee Dr.
Noubar Afeyan, who spoke about an exciting new project, dubbed “Armenia
2020.” The purpose of the project, which has already invested $2 million
in research, polling and review meetings, is to develop possible scenarios
for Armenia’s long-term economic development.
As is customary, the weekend closed with a Saturday night banquet where
Assembly Fellow Trustee Hovsep Hovsepian donated an 85-year-old hand-drawn
silk map of historic Armenia, a family heirloom, to the Armenian Genocide
Museum and Memorial (AGMM).
The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
NR#2004-027
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
Caption: Assembly Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair Hovnanian, right, and
incoming Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian, left, presenting a
plaque to outgoing Chairman Peter Vosbikian in appreciation for his
outstanding service to the Assembly.