California Courier Online, September 28, 2006

1 – Commentary
In Next Elections, Armenian Caucus
Can Become Majority in Congress
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

2 – AEF Celebrates Renovation of 150 Schools
In Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk
3 – AMAA Awards $110,000 in Scholarships
4 – Los Angeles Armenian Students Arrive in Nebraska
In Cross-Country Walk to Raise Awareness of Genocide
5- Ayrapetyan’s Dollar Essay Wins $5,000 Prize
6 – Orange County Armenians Prepare for
Sept.30-Oct. 1 Festival in Laguna Hills
7 – Historic Armenian Textiles
To Begin Exhibit in Glendale
8 – George Krikorian Breaks Ground For
New Theatre Multiplex in Pico Rivera
9 – Ani Kavafian, Antonio Lysy Launch
Dilijan Series’ Second Season at Zipper Hall
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1 – Commentary
In Next Elections, Armenian Caucus
Can Become Majority in Congress

By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier

In the past eleven years, 163 members of the House of Representatives have
joined the bipartisan "Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues." The Caucus
addresses the concerns of the Armenian American community and helps improve
relations between the United States and Armenia.
With a new concerted effort by Armenian Americans, the Armenian Caucus could
easily surpass 218, which would constitute a majority of the 435 House
members. The Congressional elections on November 7 provide the perfect opportunity
to reach this goal, thus providing the Armenian American community with a
powerful political base in Washington, D.C.
Last Saturday, Cong. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.), the co-chair of the Armenian
Caucus, visited Glendale and briefed the Armenian community on several Armenian
issues now pending in the U.S. Congress. Earlier this month, Cong. Joe
Knollenberg (R- Mich.), the other co-chair of the Caucus, also met with Armenians in
Southern California. The co-chairs and the members of the Caucus have played a
key role in pushing for the successful consideration by the House of
Representatives of various Armenian issues over the years, ranging from foreign aid to
Armenian Genocide resolutions.
The Armenian Caucus is currently the second largest ethnic Caucus in the
House, after the India Caucus which has 182 members. Given the many tight races
in the upcoming elections, congressional candidates are eager to court the
support of voters. This is the ideal time to ask the candidates to promise that
they would join the Armenian Caucus, should they win a seat in the House. Unless
they pledge to join the Caucus, no candidate, whether Republican or Democrat,
should receive the votes, campaign contributions or the endorsement of
Armenian individuals or organizations. Incumbents who are running for re-election
should be asked to join the Armenian Caucus immediately — before November 7 —
as a pre-condition for endorsement or support in the upcoming elections. Most
candidates would eagerly oblige, once they are informed of the existence of
the Armenian Caucus and told that their membership in that Caucus is an
important consideration in gaining the backing of the Armenian American community. To
check if a particular Congressman is a member of the Armenian Caucus or not,
Armenian American voters can contact the Armenian National Committee of America
or the Armenian Assembly of America. Should the congressional candidate make
a pledge to join the Caucus, the above groups should be advised so that they
can to follow up with that candidate and secure his or her membership in the
Caucus after the election.
A new initiative must be launched to form an Armenian Caucus in the U.S.
Senate where an India Caucus exists ever since 2004, but not one for Armenia.
Imagine the political and psychological impact on both the supporters as well as
opponents of the Armenian Cause when 218 or more House and 51 or more Senate
members join the Armenian Caucus. While this would not be an ironclad majority
on every Armenian-related issue, it would provide a tremendous boost to the
political clout of the Armenian American community.
It is also important that the Armenian American community keep an eye on the
growing strength of "the Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish
Americans" which currently has 70 members and "the Azerbaijani Friendship Group" which
has 17 House members. Armenian Americans should be aware of the names of the
members of the Turkish and Azeri caucuses and make sure not to support their
re-election. They should, in fact, vote for candidates running against members
of these two caucuses in the November elections. The list of the Turkish and
Azeri caucus members could be obtained by contacting the ANCA and the Armenian
Assembly.
Having a majority of House and Senate members join the Armenian Caucus by
this November would solidify the recent political gains registered by the
Armenian American community, particularly after the showdown in the Senate with the
Bush administration over the nomination of Richard Hoagland, the nominee for
Ambassador to Armenia, following the dismissal of Amb. John Evans for uttering
the words Armenian Genocide. The "hold" placed on the confirmation of Amb.
Hoagland forced the State Department to have a greater respect for the political
clout of the Armenian American community.
After the November elections, should the Armenian Caucus acquire a majority
in both the House and the Senate, the Bush administration as well as Turkey
and Azerbaijan would think twice before challenging the interests of the
Armenian American community in the U.S. Congress.
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2 – AEF Celebrates Renovation of 150 Schools
In Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk
GLENDALE – The Armenian Educational Foundation will celebrate the renovation
of 150 schools in Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk since 1999 at its 2006 gala
dinner dance, Dec. 3 at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Pasadena.
Proceeds will go towards the renovation of additional schools in remote
villages.
Program includes dinner, music, dance and recognition of 150 school sponsors
and supporters.
Since 1950, the Armenian Educational Foundation, Inc. (AEF) has been the
backbone of the Armenian educational movement worldwide. It has lent a helping
hand to thousands of students and to hundreds of schools throughout the world.
During its 56 years of giving, the AEF has proven to be one of the most enduring
and productive educational organizations in the Diaspora.
The AEF’s fundamental aim has always been the advancement of the Armenian
heritage through support of education. Its great successes have earned the
organization widespread respect, recognition and appreciation.
Over the past half century, the AEF has grown into a thriving organization
with a diverse membership of dedicated individuals. The AEF welcomes anyonewho
shares the commitment of its founding members, and who will bring to the
organization new energy and fresh ideas.
For further information, contact the AEF office in Glendale at (818) 242-4154
or
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3 – AMAA Awards $110,000 in Scholarships
PARAMUS, NJ – The Chairman of the Armenian Missionary Association of
American (AMAA) Scholarship Committee, Robert Hekemian, Jr., just recently
reported the awarding of $110,000 in direct scholarship grants to college and
university students for the 2006-07 academic year. This year, 72 students applied
and, upon verification of need and academic qualifications, 65 students were
awarded scholarships.
In addition, $10,000.00 was awarded to university students in Armenia and
$300,000 has been provided to various institutions of higher learning, and
charitable organizations for distribution. These institutions include Haigazian
University of Beirut, in Lebanon and California State University in Fresno.

The Scholarship Committee, in cooperation with the AMAA Publication
Committee, this year evaluated the essays submitted by the students with their
applications and chose the best essays. Additional grants from the James Jameson Essay
Contest Fund were awarded to the following students: Aram Levon Shemassian,
Charles Kaladjian, Karine Manukyan, Jessica Vitale and Gregory Chavoor. Their
essays were qualified to be the best five. The scholarships, which were granted
this year, were awarded from 70 AMAA endowment funds established for this
purpose.

"I just wanted to let you know that I have received the response to my AMAA
Scholarship application and now I am the proud recipient of an AMAA
Scholarship," writes one applicant in her thank you note to the AMAA. "Thank you so much=80¦
it means a lot to me to know that there are people who are interested in
helping struggling students like myself."

As the rising cost of education in the United States becomes a profound
concern, many undergraduate students who desire to secure a better future, rely on
scholarship aid. Armenian Missionary Association of America (AMAA), sharing
this same concern, established its scholarship program to help needy and
promising undergraduate students. Over the past 35 years of its existence, this
scholarship program has helped thousands of college and university students. So far
AMAA has provided three million dollars in direct scholarship aid.

The AMAA was founded in Worcester in 1918 and incorporated in New York in
1920, with the purpose of strengthening and supporting the Armenian people in
their Christian faith and to encourage religious education as well as literary
and philanthropic work everywhere. Since its founding, the AMAA has expanded
its programs to 22 countries around the world.
The AMAA is a 501 (c) 3 tax-exempt organization (Fed No. 13-5670954).
Tax-free donations should be made out to Armenian Missionary Association ofAmerica
and sent to: AMAA, 31 West Century Road, Paramus, NJ 07652.
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4 – Los Angeles Armenian Students Arrive in Nebraska
In Cross-Country Walk to Raise Awareness of Genocide
By Kristin Zagurski
Omaha World-Herald, Neb.
OMAHA, NE – Six Armenian college students passed through Omaha Sept. 15 on
their walk across America to raise awareness of genocide.
The students — Ed S. Majian, 22; Albrik Zohrabyan, 23; Hasmig Tatiossian,
23; Vahe Abovian, 30; Sarkis Nazaryan, 28; and Levon Sayadyan, 24 — began their
walk June 27 in Los Angeles.
They walk 30 miles a day, followed by a recreational vehicle in which they
sleep. They plan to end their journey Oct. 30 in Washington, D.C., where a rally
will be held.
The group — walking under the name Journey for Humanity – is holding rallies
in other major cities along its way, including one in Des Moines at the Iowa
State Capitol. That rally is being held in conjunction with the local chapter
of Save Darfur.
In the Omaha area, the students met with staff members of U.S. Reps. Jeff
Fortenberry and Tom Osborne and Sen. Chuck Hagel. They also talk to citizens
along their way, telling them about the ongoing genocide in the Darfur region of
Sudan.
The group’s main goals are bringing change to help Darfur and encouraging
people to recognize past genocide — specifically the Armenian genocide of 1915,
Majian said. Amid the chaos of World War I, Turkey killed an estimated 1.5
million Armenians.
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5 – Ayrapetyan’s Dollar Essay Wins $5,000 Prize
By Bethania Palma
Whittier Daily News
WHITTIER, CA – What would it be like to be a dollar bill?
Eight-year-old David Ayrapetyan can tell you. In fact, he did just that in a
recent essay contest and won a $5,000 savings bond in the process.
Ayrapetyan entered an Allstate Foundation and Southern California Junior
Achievement joint "Money Smart" competition, in which he was asked to pretend that
he was a dollar bill and describe his day-to-day experiences as such.
"It was his first time and we just wanted to try," said David’s mother, Anna
Ayrapetyan. "We submitted the essay to Junior Achievement and they sent us a
letter, inviting us to a reception at headquarters in Los Angeles."
It was there that David learned he had won. He received a standing ovation
after reading his essay.
David’s essay compared dollar bills to humans, pointing out that they both
have a finite time in which to produce something constructive. In David’s story,
the dollar bill in question goes through several hands before it makes its
way to a homeless woman, who forgoes buying food for herself in order to donate
to hungry children in Africa.
"He really followed the directions of the essay. He gave some interesting
facts about how long a bill stays in currency, what percentage of currency is one
dollar bills, so he did his research,: said Tim Hackett, director of
development for Junior Achievement. "He was also able to put in some thingsabout
charity, giving the bill to a homeless woman. She even turned that into charity,
so it was really heartwarming and excellent."
Ayrapetyan said David’s second-grade teacher, Nancy Studebaker, at Wallen L.
Andrews Elementary first informed them of the contest and encouraged David to
try.
Anna Ayrapetyan said that she plans to help David use the money for his
college education.
"It’s a really valuable thing," said Hackett. "We’re giving these kids a real
opportunity to invest in their future. By the time he’s 30 years old, it
could really be something."
Hackett said the overall creativity and originality of the essay was what
stood out to judges.
"He’s really a brilliant kid," he said. "He’s really smart."
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6 – Orange County Armenians Prepare for
Sept.30-Oct. 1 Festival in Laguna Hills
LAGUNA HILLS, Calif. – Orange County’s flourishing Armenian community is
coming together to support education. A festival will be held Sept. 30-Oct.1 at
the Laguna Hills Community Center, 25555 Alicia Pkwy., Laguna Hills
Over 20 Armenian-American organizations have joined together to plan this
event.
The musical venue includes all types of music from Armenia, including modern
popular, folk dance, and chorale musig and singers throughout the weekend. The
dance program includes authentic dance ensembles performing in traditional
costumes, line folk dancing and lessons for the brave-hearted.
Food will be plentiful with authentic and familiar favorites. Several
varieties of appetizers, shish kebab, rice and boulghour pilaf, and desserts,
including several varieties of baklava, will be available.
Special planning has been made for children’s programs and activities
throughout the weekend including a large supervised kids’ fun zone and playgrounds
with slides, swings, clowns, contests, games and prizes.
Participating groups will be present in booths for more information about
their activities and organizations. Additional booths will be available for
products and services from Orange County-based providers.
Admission is $3 for adults, and $1 for kids.
Participating organizations include: The Ari Guiragos Minassian Armenian
School, AYF "Ashot Yergat" Chapter, Armenian Christian Fellowship of OC, Armenian
Cultural Foundation, Armenian General Benevolent Union, AGBU-OC Saturday
School, AGBU-OC Young Professionals, Armenian National Committee of Orange County,
Hamazkayin Armenian Cultural Association, Armenian Relief Society "Karni "
Chapter, ARS "Karni" Chapter Saturday Armenian School, ARS "Sevan" Chapter,ARS
"Sevan" chapter Saturday Armenian School, Forty Martyrs Armenian Apostolic
Church, Forty Martyrs Church Ladies Auxiliary, Orange County Homenetmen
"Sartarabad" Chapter, St. Mary Armenian Church, UCI Armenian Students Association.
For more information, visit the website at
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7 – Historic Armenian Textiles
To Begin Exhibit in Glendale
GLENDALE – The Armenian Dress &Textile Project (ADTP), with initial funding
from The Glendale Historical Society, announces Visits among Ancestors:
Memories and Treasures at the Doctor’s House Museum and Gazebo in Glendale’s Brand
Library Park, 1601 West Mountain Street, Glendale. The exhibit will run
consecutively on Sundays from 2 to 4 pm starting Oct. 8 and ending November5.
ADTP’s purpose is to add to the growing collection of dress and textile,
currently housed in Los Angeles, and to expose to the Armenian and non-Armenian
public how women’s dowry items, textiles, clothing/costumes and stories area
means to identify one’s family ties and history.
This exhibit will feature newly loaned and donated clothing, textiles, and
personal belongings of Armenian families, obtained both locally and nationwide,
who emigrated from central and western Turkey and came to the United States
early in the 20th century.
ADTP founder Tina Demirdjian and ADTP textile experts Sofi Khachmanyan and
Carol Tuntland will provide the interpretive tours. Additionally, this exhibit
pays special tribute to and is in memory of Mirielle Kalfayan, poet, friend,
and supporter of ADTP.
The Armenian Dress &Textile Project (ADTP) began in 1998 after the discovery
of 100-year-old family dowry items and costumes from Turkey. This material
culture had survived the Armenian Genocide of 1915, overseas migration, and
time. ..
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8 – George Krikorian Breaks Ground For
New Theatre Multiplex in Pico Rivera
By Araceli Esparza
Whittier Daily News
PICO RIVERA, Calif. – After years of delays, Pico Rivera residents moved a
step closer Thursday to watching digitally projected Hollywood blockbusterson
wall-to-wall screens while relaxing in high-backed seats.
City officials and Krikorian Premiere Theaters President George Krikorian
broke ground on a 14-screen Cineplex.
The Krikorian Metroplex Entertainment Center will become Pico Rivera’s first
and only movie theater when it opens at Paramount and Whittier boulevards next
summer.
The theater will be the entertainment anchor of a planned retail complex
designed to boost the local economy and provide dozens of new jobs, city officials
said at a ceremony marking the start of construction.
"This is an exciting day, but can you imagine the excitement a year from now
when this place opens?" Mayor Pro Tem Ron Beilke said.
"This community has been absent a theater for many years," said Krikorian.
Nikki Kealalio, a marketing representative for Krikorian, said the new venue
will be similar to others the company has opened throughout the Southland.
It will total 69,000 square feet and have stadium seating, high-backed
rocking chairs, wall-to-wall screens and digital projectors.
Pico Rivera Mayor Pete Ramirez called it "first class."
Krikorian paid Pico Rivera $3.4 million for the property, about $8 million
less than the actual valuation of the land-$12 million,Ramirez said.
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9 – Ani Kavafian, Antonio Lysy Launch
Dilijan Series’ Second Season at Zipper Hall
LOS ANGELES – After a series of well-received performances in its initial
season, the Dilijan Chamber Music Series is gearing up for its second season
with an opening concert on October 1, at Zipper Hall in downtown Los Angeles.
Featured artists include internationally renowned violinist Ani Kavafian,
founding Artist Member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, and widely
acclaimed cellist and UCLA professor Antonio Lysy. They will be joined by
Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition Gold Medalist pianist Robert Thies,
LA Chamber Orchestra Principal Violist Roland Kato, and the Dilijan Series
Artistic Director violinist Movses Pogossian. The program will consist of
Beethoven’s String Trio in G Major, Arno Babajanian’s Violin Sonata (1959), and
Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quintet in F Minor.
Highlights of the 2006/07 season include three world premieres commissioned
by the Dilijan Series, appearances by distinguished musicians such as oboist
Allan Vogel, clarinetists Michele Zukovsky and Gary Bovyer, violinist Ida
Levin, violists Paul Coletti and Brian Dembow, cellists Peter Stumpf and Tim
Landauer, and pianist Norman Krieger, among others. The final concert of the
season, in commemoration of the 92nd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,
features world renowned violist Kim Kashkashian in a program of music by Tigran
Mansurian.
Founded by members of the Glendale, California-based Lark Musical Society,
the Dilijan Chamber Series is dedicated to showcasing masterpieces of Western
classical music, as well as popularizing Armenian chamber music. Tickets for
each concert are available by calling (818) 572-5438, or at the door.
Inquiries can be addressed to movses.dilijan@larkmusicalsociety.com.
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