Armenia Fund USA, Inc.
152 Madison Ave, S-803
New York, NY 10016, U.S.A.
T/1-212-689-5307
F/1-212-689-5317
E-mail: info@armeniafundusa.org
Famed Attorney Mark Geragos Calls for Support to Armenia Fund USA at
Pre-Telethon Gala Dinner at Harvard Club
NEW YORK, New York – An air of excitement and anticipation filled
the well-appointed dining room as renowned attorney Mark Geragos
approached the podium to address more than 130 guests at Armenia Fund
USA’s pre-telethon gala dinner. Set in the prestigious Harvard Club,
New York City, the evening’s event was held on November 10, 2006 and
honored Nagorno-Karabakh President Arkady Ghoukassian accompanied by
Mrs. Ghoukassian. Attended by many dignitaries, the guest list included
Archbishop Khajag Barsamian, Primate of the Eastern Diocese; Archbishop
Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy; Armenia’s Ambassador
to the United States Tatoul Markarian; and Permanent Representative
of Armenia to the United Nations Ambassador Armen Martirosyan.
Master of ceremonies Mark Momjian, currently a partner in the
Philadelphia law firm of Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis, opened the
evening introducing guest speaker Mark Geragos. Mr. Geragos, presently
the managing partner of the preeminent law firm Geragos&Geragos,
has been a passionate supporter of the Fund’s activities, and has
recently joined the Board of Trustees of Hayastan All-Armenian Fund
in Yerevan. He has many times made special appearances at Armenia
Fund’s Thanksgiving Telethons that have become an annual tradition for
Armenians around the world. In his address, Geragos pointed to more
unified efforts to help Armenia Fund deliver much needed development
to Karabakh. Also, another highlight of Mr. Geragos’ speech was
his sharing about the class action lawsuits, both successful with
more pending, which are recovering millions of dollars to heirs of
Armenians killed in the Ottoman Empire.
President Arkady Ghoukassian, visiting the United States in connection
with the Thanksgiving Telethon, also welcomed the guests and related
warm appreciation on behalf of the people of Karabakh. The President
emphasized the need for winning the war against poverty in the region
and for opening the road to more serious investments in Karabakh.
Following the President’s address, Chairman of Armenia Fund USA Kevork
Toroyan spoke of recent developments in 18 villages of Mardakert where
rural communities were among the first beneficiaries of the newly
established agricultural cooperative for subsistence farmers. About 900
farming households will have access to badly needed mechanized services
and technical advice from US agricultural experts. This would represent
a significant portion of Mardakert’s population. The project, which
is part of the "Rebirth of Artakah" Regional Development Initiative
for Nagorno-Karabakh, targets rural poverty by raising the average
family income through improved agricultural practices and technical
assistance. More than this, 30 families are currently benefiting from
a pilot 3-year community development program co-managed by Armenia
Fund USA and Heifer International.
The pilot program will provide seeds, fertilizers, cows and technical
assistance in animal husbandry. Armenia Fund USA and its international
affiliates are also constructing 3 schools, a hospital, and a major
water-pipeline in the Mardakert region.
The proceeds of the 9th International Armenia Fund Telethon, to be
aired on November 23, 2006, Thanksgiving Day, will go toward the
regional development of Hadrut. The project encompasses all key
aspects of socio-economic development – access to education, proper
healthcare, and clean water, as well as sustainable infrastructure to
support irrigation water systems, roads and agricultural development.
Armenia Fund USA, with its international affiliates, has had strong
and measurable impact on the development of Karabakh and Armenia since
independence. The organization remains the largest contributor to
socio-economic development projects there since 1992, having invested
more than $150 million in large-scale infrastructure.
ABOUT ARMENIA FUND USA, founded in 1992, was one of the first of
Hayastan All-Armenian Fund’s 19 international affiliates and serves
constituents in all states east of the Mississippi. As a non-profit,
non-governmental, nonsectarian organization, the Fund represents all
Armenian constituents.
Armenia Fund USA is the largest contributor among the 19 international
affiliates – supporting strategic infrastructure projects in Armenia
and Karabakh. The Fund has adopted a policy to go "Beyond Bricks and
Mortar" to provide sustainability for projects it sponsors.