Armenian National Committee of Albany
7 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12205
ancofalbany@hotmail.com
PRESS RELEASE
May 14, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Antranig Karageozian
ancofalbany@hotmail.com
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE COMMEMORATED IN UPSTATE NEW YORK
TROY, NY–On April 23, over 100 individuals from around upstate New
York gathered at Troy City Hall to commemorate the Armenian Genocide,
reported the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Albany. Among the
dignitaries who participated in the remembrance were Congressman
Michael McNulty (D-NY), Troy Mayor Harry Tutunjian, and Watervliet
Mayor Robert Carlson.
During the commemoration, Congressman McNulty spoke about the
devastating impact of the Armenian Genocide, which is still felt by
Armenians worldwide–89 years after the fact–and commended Armenian
Americans for being able to establish prosperous communities across the
US. The Congressman, a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, also touched upon his record of support on issues of concern
to Armenian Americans, noting that he is a current cosponsor of the
House Genocide Resolution (H.Res.193). Congressman McNulty closed his
remarks by informing the gathering that he would continue to support
Armenian Genocide recognition efforts.
Mayor Harry Tutunjian, the first-term mayor of the City of Troy,
described the recent progress on the international recognition of
the Armenian Genocide–the recognition of this great crime against
humanity by the Canadian Parliament, Switzerland, New York Times,
and several states across the United States. He continued by stating
that Armenians are a proud people who work hard and do not give up.
The Mayor further remarked that Armenians are looking for a better
future but refuse to forget the past.
Following Mayor Tutunjian, Watervliet Mayor Robert Carlson presented
a proclamation recalling the 1.5 million Armenians who perished during
the first genocide of the 20th Century.
Community leaders also spoke during the ceremony at Troy City Hall.
Among those speaking were: Co-Chairman of the ANC of Albany Antranig
Karageozian, Chairman of the Albany Homenetmen Leo Ohanian, and
Chairman of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) “Shoushi” Albany
Chapter Aramig Barkamian. Following the commemoration, the Albany
Homenetmen Chapter hosted a memorial dinner. During the dinner,
Raffi Mahserdjian of the ANC of Albany presented a slide show on the
Armenian Genocide.
The ANC Albany also hosted several other events, including a movie
night on April 24. Apo Torosyan’s “Discovering My Fathers Village”
and J. Michael Hagopian’s “Germany and the Secret Genocide,” were
shown at Holy Cross Armenian Apostolic Church. Over 75 community
members attended the screening. Following the movies, Stepan and His
Band performed a concert of revolutionary songs.
On April 25, after the annual Requiem Service, in memory of the
victims and survivors of the Armenian Genocide, at Holy Cross,
the Albany AYF held a memoriam where each AYF member read brief
descriptions of specific events, which occurred during 1915 and 1923.
Finally, on April 26, Congressman John Sweeney (R-NY), several State
Assembly members, and the Armenian American community of upstate New
York attended a rally at the State Capitol building steps.
“Unfortunately, and sadly, the Armenian Genocide was a precursor to
some of the worst horrific treatments of human beings in mankind’s
history: the Holocaust, Cambodia, and Rwanda are all the unwanted
stepchildren of the Turkish massacre of the Armenians” stated
Congressman Sweeney, one of two Congressional Members who is of
Armenian descent.
A member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Congressman
Sweeney has and continues to support numerous Armenian American
concerns. A cosponsor of H.Res.193, he most recently cosigned a
Congressional letter urging President George W. Bush to keep his
campaign pledge to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as
“genocide” in his annual April 24 statement.
Closing the rally was Assemblymember Ronald Canestrari (D-Albany)
who presented the Armenian American community with a resolution,
passed by the New York State Senate and Assembly, in recognition of
the Armenian Genocide.
“All our events could not have been successful if it wasn’t for the
support of the community,” said ANC of Albany Co-Chairman Antranig
Karageozian. “Although we are a small community, we remain active. All
the Armenian American organizations work well together which makes
us a strong
community.”
“We thank Congressmen Michael McNulty and John Sweeney, Mayor Tutunjian
and Carlson, along with all the State Assembly members, who took the
time out of their busy schedules and attended the various commemoration
events. We also thank these officials for their continued support of
the recognition of the Armenian Genocide,” continued Karageozian.
“As Mayor Tutunjian commented, we look towards the future but we
do not forget the past. Hitler once said ‘Who now remembers the
Armenians?’ Each year, the community in upstate New York can answer
him unequivocally that we do and we will not forget,” concluded ANC
of Albany Co-Chairman Leo Ohanian.
The Armenian National Committee is the largest Armenian American
grassroots political organization in New York and nationwide. The ANC
actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian
American community.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress