PRESS RELEASE
Office of Sarkis Assadourian M.P.
120 Confederation
House of Commons, Ottawa, Canada
Contact: Daniel Kennedy
Tel: 613 995 4843
Ottawa April 22, 2004
Historic Day on Parliament Hill
M.P. Sarkis Assadourian, Hosts Reception Honouring Sara Corning
M-380 Sees Recognition of the Armenian Genocide by Parliament
April 21, 2004 will go done in history as a remarkable day for the
Canadian Armenian Community. Following a memorable reception held in
honour of the late Sara Corning a native of Nova Scotia responsible
for the rescue of thousands of, Armenian children, from the port of
Smyrna in the summer of 1922 hosted by Sarkis Assadourian (Brampton
Centre, Lib.): Chairman of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship
Group members of the Canadian Armenian Community were thrilled to be
present in the galleries of the House of Commons as M-380 received the
resounding approval of the Members of Parliament.
Motion-380 seconded by Assadourian called on the House of Commons to
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and condemn this act as a
crime against humanity. Assadourian has introduced similar motions and
Private Members Bills over his 10 years as M.P. and was overjoyed to
finally see the House of Commons grant recognition of the
Genocide. Assadourian hosted a victory reception in his Parliament
Hill office following the historic vote attended by supporters
including His Excellency Ara Papian Armenian Ambassador to Canada.
Assadourian thanks the supporters of the Canada Armenia Parliamentary
Friendship Group notably AGBU, Armenian Democratic Liberal Party,
Armenian Social Democratic Party, CABC Ontario Armenian Apostolic
Church Diocese, Armenian World Alliance as well as the support and
co-operation of the Armenian Assembly of America and documentation
provided by the Zorian Institute in the pursuit of this historic
milestone.
“Armenians everywhere will celebrate this great day that saw the
relatives of Sarah Corning receive an enunciate from His Holiness
Karikian ll, Catholocos of All Armenia, honouring the efforts of their
ancestor on behalf of the Armenian orphans and later that same day the
historic recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the House of
Commons. I dedicate this victory to the late Kirk Margarian (George
Town Boy) and through him all victims and survivors of genocide.
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For further information contact: Daniel Kennedy 613-995-4843