Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: ckojoian@aaainc.org
ASSEMBLY REAFFIRMS COMMITMENT TO LANDMINE CLEARANCE IN ARMENIA
Organization Leaders Saluted at MLI’s Washington Gala
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America was commended by
the Marshall Legacy Institute (MLI) on May 10 for continuing to lead
efforts to help rid Armenia of deadly landmines that kill and maim
countless people and livestock each year.
MLI Board of Directors President Perry F. Baltimore III expressed
his appreciation to the Assembly and Board of Directors Vice Chair
Annie Totah during the organization’s annual “Clearing the Path Gala,”
at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington, DC.
The recognition followed an Assembly-led effort to raise $100,000 to
procure mine detection dogs for use in a State Department-sponsored
demining project in Armenia. Assembly Life Trustees Gerard L. Cafesjian
and Associate Trustee Greg Parseghian were among the leading supporters
of the project, to which the State Department contributed $300,000.
“The Assembly is honored to be part of such a worthy cause,” said
Totah, an MLI benefactor and Board of Directors Member. “The true
credit, however, goes to the twelve mine handlers and their trained
dogs, who are headquartered near Etchmiadzin, and are all doing a
great job in saving lives and returning the land to productive use.”
The event included a keynote address by Her Majesty Queen Noor of
Jordan, an international humanitarian activist and an outspoken voice
on issues of world peace and justice. Former presidential advisor and
ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulous served as master of ceremonies.
Awards were presented by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Congressman
Richard Neal (D-MA). Diana Enzi, who is married to Senator Michael
Enzi (R-WY), received the Community Service Award for establishing the
Children Against Landmines Program (CHAMPS) in Wyoming. The program
fosters global citizenship and gives schoolchildren the opportunity
to sponsor and name their own mine detection dog.
“The Assembly commends all the 2005 honorees for their leadership,
creativity and dedication in ridding the world of these hidden
explosives,” said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
MLI, a Washington-based non-profit, provides mine detection dogs,
management training and mine awareness education to reduce suffering
and restore hope to people, especially children, in war-torn countries.
The organization’s two major programs are CHAMPS and the K9 Demining
Corps Campaign (K9DC).
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#2005-049
Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
049-1.jpg
CAPTION: L to R: Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY), Assembly Board of
Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah, Liana Mkrtchian, Armenian Embassy
Counselor Arman Israelian, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny
and Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair Rep. Frank
Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Board of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah,
Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan, Diocesan Legate Bishop Vicken
Aykazian and Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair
Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ).
CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny,
Diocesan Legate Bishop Vicken Aykazian, Master of Ceremonies George
Stephanopoulous, Armenian Embassy Counselor Arman Israelian and Board
of Directors Vice Chair Annie Totah.
CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, former
U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Michael Lemmon, Assembly Board of Directors
Vice Chair Annie Totah, Esther Coopersmith, Michele Lemmon and former
National Security Advisor and Marshall Legacy Institute Chairman the
Honorable Anthony Lake.
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