Armenian National Committee of America
888 17th St., NW, Suite 904
Washington, DC 20006
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
E-mail: anca@anca.org
Internet:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 21, 2004
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
KERRY HONORS 86TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE FOUNDING OF THE
FIRST ARMENIAN REPUBLIC
WASHINGTON, DC — In a statement released to the Armenian American
community, presumptive Democratic Presidential nominee John Kerry
marked the founding of the First Armenian Republic, established on May
28th, 1918, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
In his statement, Sen. Kerry noted that, “the first Republic of Armenia
rose 86 years ago from the ashes of the Armenian genocide, but was
partitioned soon afterwards. Yet, Armenians yearned for independence,
and seven decades later realized their dream of self- determination.”
“Armenian Americans welcome John Kerry’s celebration of the 86th
anniversary of the first Republic of Armenia,” said Aram Hamparian,
Executive Director of the ANCA. “As a Senator with a twenty-year track
record of advocating for issues of importance to Armenian Americans,
John Kerry understands the tremendous challenges – first among them
the horrific toll of the Armenian Genocide – that the Armenian people
overcame in 1918 on the road to the establishment of the Armenian
Republic.”
In April of this year, Sen. Kerry joined the Armenian American
community in marking the 89th Anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
In a statement issued on April 22nd, Senator Kerry called “on
governments and people everywhere to formally recognize this
tragedy. Only by learning from this dark period of history and
working to prevent future genocides can we truly honor the memories
of those Armenians who suffered so unjustly.” In the days prior to his
statement, Senator Kerry joined 22 of his Senate colleagues in calling
on President Bush to “refer to the mass slaughter of Armenians as
genocide in your commemorative statement.” He was amongst the earliest
cosponsors of the Genocide resolution (S.Res.164), which marks the
15th anniversary of the U.S. implementation of the Genocide Convention.
Senator Kerry’s complete record on Armenian American concerns is
posted on the Armenians For Kerry website
. The website includes previous statements by the Senator and provides
ways for Armenian American supporters to become active in the Kerry
campaign through donations or other volunteer efforts.
The congratulatory letter regarding the First Armenian Republic was
read at a Greater Washington, DC area celebration last Saturday night,
hosted by the ARF. The complete text of the statement follows.
#####
Letter from John Kerry Honoring Armenia’s First Independence
Tonight I join Armenian-Americans in proudly celebrating the Republic
of Armenia’s day of independence. The first Republic of Armenia
rose 86 years ago from the ashes of the Armenian genocide, but was
partitioned soon afterwards. Yet, Armenians yearned for independence,
and seven decades later realized their dream of self- determination.
I am proud of my work with the Armenian-American community including
my support for ending Azerbaijan’s blockades of Armenia and Nagorno
Karabakh, for the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act in 1996 and for
extending “permanent normal trade relations” (PNTR) to Armenia.
This evening I would also like to pay tribute to the Armenian-
Americans who have contributed so much to our great country.
Your hard work and strong values make our country a better place for
all Americans.
I hope you have a wonderful celebration and, of course, a very happy
birthday.