SENATOR ROBERT MENENDEZ HONORED AS ANC-NJ MAN OF THE YEAR

ArmRadio.am
15.02.2007 16:16

More than two hundred supporters of the Armenian National Committee
of New Jersey (ANC-NJ) were on hand this weekend for the granting of
the grassroots organization’s prestigious Man of the Year award to
US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ).

The ceremony took place at the Rockleigh Country Club in Rockleigh, New
Jersey. The elegant program was attended by a cross-section of Armenian
American leaders from the New York metropolitan area, Church leaders
representing Armenian Apostolic, Evangelical, and Catholic communities,
and, from the Republic of Armenia, a very special guest, the Honorable
Vahan Hovhannisyan, Deputy Speaker of the Armenian Parliament.

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian introduced the Senator, noting
his long history of support for the democratic aspirations of the
Garden State’s Armenian community. Hamparian reviewed the Senator’s
strong support for expanded US-Armenia ties, his devotion to the proper
recognition of the Armenian Genocide, his energetic protests of the
unfair firing of the former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall
Evans, for speaking truthfully about this crime, and – most recently
– the Senatorial "hold" he has placed on the President’s new nominee
for this post, Dick Hoagland, over his denial of this crime against
humanity. To thunderous applause and an extended standing ovation,
ANC-NJ chairperson Ani Tchaghlasian invited Senator Menendez to accept
his award.

In accepting the award, Sen. Menendez offered heartfelt remarks,
stating that, "despite denials by the Turkish Government, despite the
current Administration’s position, we know, we know, the atrocities
committed between 1915 and 1923 constitute genocide." Noting that
countless historians had characterized the events of 1915 to 1923 as
genocide, he reminded those gathered of his unwavering support for
truth and justice.

"When I saw what happened to the previous Ambassador, and when I
saw what Ambassador Hoagland referred to in his proceedings, I was
glad to have arrived in the United States Senate in time to send a
very clear message, and use my power as an individual Senator of the
United States to put a hold on his nomination. I will continue that
hold on his re-nomination." Interrupted repeatedly by applause, the
Senator concluded his powerful remarks by thanking his supporters,
in particular the Armenian National Committee of New Jersey.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress