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
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: ckojoian@aaainc.org
ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES HOLIDAY SEASON WITH MEMBERS, ACTIVISTS
Year-End Parties Held Across the U.S.
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America held a series
of holiday events across the U.S. this month, thanking friends and
members for their support throughout the year and encouraging their
continued activism in strengthening the U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Karabakh
relationships in the year ahead.
On December 12, supporters in the nation’s capital were briefed by
Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD), who spoke
about the importance of grassroots activism and reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide.
“We have an obligation not to give up,” Van Hollen told supporters
at the Armenian Embassy. “We must make sure that the world never
forgets.”
The afternoon program, which was led by Board of Directors Vice
Chair Annie Totah and Capital Region Host Committee Members Clara
Andonian and Doris George, included remarks by Armenia’s Ambassador
to the U.S. Dr. Arman Kirakossian and Assembly Executive Director
Ross Vartian. The event, which was organized by members of the
Assembly’s Capital Region Host Committee, also included a slide
presentation of presidential photos by White House photographer Joyce
Naltchayan Boghosian.
>>From his home base in Massachusetts, Board of Directors Chairman
Anthony Barsamian participated in events in Arlington and Charlestown,
as well as an event in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Starting in Rhode
Island on December 7, Barsamian joined Board of Directors Member
Corinne Heditsian and RI District Chair Nathalie Yaghoobian in honoring
outgoing District Chair Jake Harpootian. A Fellow Trustee since 1991,
Harpootian was credited with rallying local activists and advocating
for congressional support of Armenian-American issues. That event
was organized and led by Development Co-Chair Lu Ann Ohanian and the
New England Regional Council.
The Council’s two other events were held at the Armenian Cultural
Center in Arlington and at the Meze Restaurant in Charlestown.
The first event held on December 8, welcomed Board of Trustees
President Carolyn Mugar and local officials including State
Representative Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown.) The second event,
dubbed the “The Next Leadership Group Party,” was a holiday mixer
for young professionals. Held on December 9, the event was organized
by Assembly supporter Joanne Tashjian and her children, Christopher,
Joy and Noelle. The events in New England also included a year-end
update from Executive Director Vartian.
The Assembly’s Great Lakes Regional Council hosted its annual holiday
event at Council Chairman Edgar Hagopian’s Roche Bobois store in
Novi, Michigan on December 5. More than 80 people turned out for the
event which included legislative briefings by Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) and Board Chairman
Barsamian. Guests also included State Representative Shelly Taub
(R-Bloomfield Hills) and several other community leaders. The Great
Lakes Regional Council assisted in planning the evening.
On the West Coast, Los Angeles-area supporters kicked-off the
season with a reception at the Four Season’s Hotel on December 3.
Assembly Western Office Chairman Richard Mushegain and Board Member
Lisa Kalustian welcomed 60 area supporters to the event, which included
a briefing by Mushegain on the Assembly’s legislative achievements
in 2004.
Also in California, Assembly Life Trustees Roger Strauch and Dr. Julie
Kulhanjian Strauch opened their suburban Piedmont home on December 5,
helping the Assembly and its members celebrate another successful year.
Among the highlights of the evening was a presentation by Roger Strauch
on the organization’s achievements in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Deputy Executive Director Peter Abajian was also on hand to provide
a report on the Assembly’s national activities.
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.
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NR#2004-107
Photographs are available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following
links:
ss/2004-107/2004-107-1.JPG
CAPTION: Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Jr. (D-MD) accepts a book
on Armenia from Capital Region Host Committee Members L to R: Clara
Andonian, Annie Totah and Doris George at the Armenian Embassy on
December 12.
CAPTION: L to R: Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian,
Assembly Fellow Trustee Jake Harpootian, Development Co-Chair Lu Ann
Ohanian, Rhode Island District Chair Nathalie Yaghoobian and Executive
Director Ross Vartian during a holiday celebration in Pawtucket,
RI on December 7.
CAPTION: Assembly Endowment Fund Contributors Armen and Aida
Norhadian, far left and second from right, along with L to R: Fellow
Trustee Raffi Krikorian, Affiliate Member Hovann Simonian, supporters
Ani Krikorian and Fellow Trustee Gagik Galstian at the Four Season’s
Hotel in Los Angeles on December 3.
–Boundary_(ID_F8xsUkDbmUSlgG463FfBxQ)–
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress