AAA: Assembly Continues Support of MLI’s Landmine Clearance Efforts

Armenian Assembly of America
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PRESS RELEASE
May 8, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CONTINUES SUPPORT OF MLI’S LANDMINE CLEARANCE EFFORTS

Attends Annual Benefit Gala in Washington

Washington, DC – In support of the Marshall Legacy Institute’s (MLI)
ongoing mission to save the lives of people in landmine-contaminated
countries such as Armenia, the Assembly on May 3 attended the
organization’s annual “Clearing the Path Gala” in Washington, DC.

Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah and
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny attended the fourth annual
awards and benefit gala, which honored individuals who have worked to
rid the world of these hidden explosives. For the third consecutive
year, former presidential advisor and ABC News anchor George
Stephanopoulos served as master of ceremonies.

The Assembly was a full partner of the MLI event, having led an effort
to raise $100,000 to procure six mine detection dogs for use in a
State Department-sponsored demining project in Armenia.

“The Assembly is honored to play a leadership role in such a worthy
cause,” said Totah, an MLI Board of Directors Member and benefactor.
“We must do all that we can to help rid Armenia of these hidden
explosives that kill and maim countless people and livestock each
year.”

Awards were presented by Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY) and his wife
Diana Enzi, Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and his wife Marcelle Leahy,
MLI Board of Directors Chairman, the Honorable Anthony Lake, MLI Board
of Directors President Perry F. Baltimore, III and MLI Chairman
Emeritus General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan.

MLI, a Washington-based non-profit organization, 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 group’s two major programs are the Children
Against Mines Program (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#2006-046

Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

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CAPTION: L to R: Senator Michael Enzi (R-WY), Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah, Counselor (Consular) Armen Yeganian of the Armenian Embassy, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny at the MLI’s fourth annual “Clearing the Path Gala” in Washington.

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CAPTION: Standing, L to R: Counselor (Consular) Armen Yeganian of the Armenian Embassy, Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Vardan Barseghian, Counselor Arman Israelian of the Armenian Embassy, MLI Chairman Emeritus General (Ret.) Gordon R. Sullivan, Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah, Counselor George Kocharian of the Armenian Embassy, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. Seated, L to R: Maria Yeganian, Lianna Lazarian and Anna Kocharian.

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CAPTION: Standing, L to R: Counselor George Kocharian of the Armenian Embassy, Anna Kocharian, ABC News anchor George Stephanopoulos, Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Representative of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic Vardan Barseghian, Lianna Lazarian, and Counselor Arman Israelian of the Armenian Embassy. Seated, L to R: ARMENPAC Executive Director Jason Capizzi, Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah, Counselor (Consular) Armen Yeganian of the Armenian Embassy and Maria Yeganian.

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