Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
July 13, 2005
CONTACT: Peter Abajian
Email: [email protected]
Assembly Youth Commemorate Genocide Through Clean Up at
Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Monument
Yerevan, Armenia – While Americans were celebrating Independence Day
last week, young people participating in the Armenian Assembly’s Young
Leadership Mission were busy clearing brush near the Tsitsernakaberd
Genocide Monument to honor the victims and survivors of the Armenian
Genocide during this 90th commemorative year.
Three teams of children ranging in age from 5 to 17, including six who
live in Armenia, picked up trash, pruned trees and cleared brush at a
park adjacent to the Genocide Monument to prepare for the planting of
additional trees. The cleanup effort, which lasted two hours, was
held in cooperation with the Armenia Tree Project, the Armenian
Assembly and the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Monument.
“I am so thankful that the Armenian Assembly helped arrange this
effort,” said Ani Boghosian, 16, who lives in Etchmiadzin. “We need
to keep our country clean every day, not just on special days like
this.”
Assembly Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian, who is also in
Armenia, said the cleanup proved to be a success. “This project gave
youngsters a chance to reconnect with their roots, remember their
ancestors, and best of all, appreciate their homeland.”
“It was fun!” said five-year-old Vanna Kizirian of Redondo Beach,
California.
“I am so pleased that the children who participated in this cleanup
effort, both residents of Armenia and the United States, value the
efforts they made to improve a historically significant and
emotionally charged place,” added Gayane Tatoulian, whose children
Ariana, 14, and Jenna, 11, took part in the effort. “Whenever these
kids think about the Genocide Monument, they are going to remember
their hard work today.”
The Armenian Assembly’s Young Leadership Mission brought together the
Assembly’s intern alumni, young professionals and families with
children for a unique opportunity to experience their ancestral
homeland with an eye to the future.
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.
NR#2005-078
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
Caption: Children participating in the Armenian Assembly’s Young
Leadership Group Mission to Armenia took part in a community cleanup
project aimed at honoring the victims and survivors of the Armenian
Genocide.