Saturday will be a day of remembrance for Armenians living in the state.
New Britain Herald, CT
April 21 2005
State Rep. John C. Geragosian, D-25th District, and the Connecticut
Armenian Community will hold a ceremony in recognition of the 90th
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide at 11 a.m. in the chambers of
the House of Representatives. A reception in the Capitol’s Hall of
Flags will follow.
Geragosian said this day of remembrance is “more a story about triumph
over adversity. As we mark this solemn day, we marvel at the strength
of the Armenian people.”
Genocide is the organized killing of a people for the express purpose
of putting an end to their collective existence.
Keynote speaker will be Col. Moorad Mooradian. A United States Army
officer, Col. Mooradian was professor of history and international
relations at the United States Military Academy at West Point from
1967-69 and 1970-73. As an academic professional, Mooradian established
the Conflict Studies program in the Department of Sociology at Yerevan
State University and presently serves as director of the university’s
Conflictology Center. He is a weekly contributing author for three
Armenian American newspapers, and is currently writing a book on how
the conflict with the Turkish Republic may be resolved. Mooradian
retired from the Army in 1988 after 30 years of service.
“It’s important for the sake of humanity that we never forget the
atrocities perpetrated upon the Armenian people,” Geragosian said.
“Their suffering changed the course of events for the entire world
for the remainder of the 20th century. It’s also a moral imperative
that the Congress and President Bush endorse a resolution to recognize
the genocide and suffering of the Armenian people.”
The Armenian Genocide is commemorated every April 24. According to
the Armenian National Institute, on the night of April 24, 1915, the
Turkish government placed under arrest over 200 Armenian community
leaders in Constantinople. Hundreds more were apprehended soon after.
They were all sent to prison in Anatolia where most were executed.
Between 1915 and 1923, one-and-one-half million Christian Armenians
were killed by the Ottoman Empire. Five hundred thousand more Armenians
were driven into permanent exile where they were imprisoned, forced
into death marches and massacred. They were driven to remote areas
where they were left to die of starvation. Armenian women and children
were raped and mutilated.
Gov. M. Jodi Rell will issue a formal statement to commemorate the
anniversary. As a tribute to martyrs of the genocide, the Armenian
flag will fly above the Capitol. Connecticut’s Congressional delegation
and all Constitutional Officers have been invited to attend.
Honored survivors are Armenia Babaeghian, Hrant Babaeghian, Margaret
Bagdigian, Zarouhi Badrigian, Margaret Chiloyan, Sona DerSarkissian,
Harry George, Armenuhi Haroutunian, Sooren Hovhannissian, Veronica
Jamgochian, Yegsa Mazadoorian, Eskineg Najarian, Maritza Ohanessian,
Helen Ohanian, and Antranig Varjabedian.
The 90th Commemoration Committee includes Julie Ashekian, Arpi
Emirzian, Joshua Flores, Rep. John C. Geragosian, Raymond Z.
Harasymiw, David Velez, Jeff Kane, Rev. Father Krikoris Keshishian,
Aram Sumpad Khachoyan, Jack Krikorian, Deacon Mitchell Mouradjian,
Evelyn Mukjian-Daly, Greg Norsigian, Col. George Rustigian, Guy
Simonian and Rev. Father Gomidas Zohrabian.