Armenian National Committee of Canada
Comité National Arménien du Canada
130 Albert St., Suite/Bureau 1007
Ottawa, ON
KIP 5G4
Tel./Tél. (613) 235-2622 Fax/Téléc. (613) 238-2622
E-mail/courriel:national.office@anc-canad a.com

PRESS RELEASE
June 5, 2007
Contact: Kevork Manguelian

ANCC Celebrates its National Office’s First Anniversary in Ottawa

Mr. and Mrs. Mardig Jorjezian Pledge $115,000 Annual Contribution

Ottawa-The Armenian National Committee of Canada (ANCC) celebrated the first
anniversary of the opening of its national office in Ottawa with a
cocktail-reception at the Canadian House of Commons.

More than 25 members of Parliament, among them Hon. Jason Kenney, Secretary
of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity; Hon. Randy Kamp,
Parliamentary Secretary for the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans; MP Gary
Goodyear, chairperson of the Canada-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group;
MPs Jim Karygiannis, Nicole Demers, Keven Sorenson, Bill Blaikie, and former
MP’s Madeleine Dalphoned-Guiral and Eleni Bakopanos joined Canadian-Armenian
community members from Montreal, Laval, Toronto, Ottawa Vancouver, and
Cambridge to celebrate the momentous occasion.

Archbishop Khajak Hagopian, Very Reverent Meghrig Parikian, Father Hrair
Nicolian, the Holy See representative Father Thomas Cassidy, members of the
diplomatic corps, civil servants, journalists, various NGOs and ethnic group
representatives were also present to mark the first anniversary.

During the celebration, Mardig Jorjezian, an ANCC friend and benefactor from
Vancouver, was honoured as the ANCC’s "2007 Man of the Year," for his
generous annual contribution of $115, 000. Dr. Vagharch Ehramdjian, ANCC
Chairman, presented Mr. and Mrs. Jorjezian the Gomidas Award as a token of
appreciation for Jorjezian family’s commitment and dedication to the
Armenian Cause. In attendance were also Talin and Michael, daughter and son
of Mr. and Mrs. Jorjezian. The Gomidas statue is the work of internationally
renowned Armenian sculptor Yevkiné De Greef.

Paul Douzjian, a long-serving member of the Armenian National Committee of
Canada, was also honoured with a citation. "It is our sincerest wish that
you continue to work with us for many long years," said Jean Meguerditchian,
president of the ANCC when he presented the citation to Mr. Douzjian.

"Let’s not kid ourselves," said Mr. Kenney on the Canadian government’s
recognition of the Armenian Genocide. "It’s clear that it’s you who did all
the work. You were the ones who came to Parliament Hill for such a long
time. And I’m sorry it had to be for such a long time."

In addition to Mr. Kenney, Mr. Arman Akopian, chargé d’affaires of the
Republic of Armenia, MPs Karygiannis, Nicole Demers, and Gary Goodyear
congratulated the ANCC and its hundreds of volunteers for their unwavering
commitment and dedication for the cause of human rights and justice. They
also highlighted the non-partisan nature of the Armenian Cause and genocide
recognition.

Excerpts from a documentary highlighting the history of the Armenian
National Committee of Canada and the work of the national office were
screened.

The evening concluded with the ANCC executive director Aris Babikian
thanking participants. "Our office in Ottawa and my colleagues across the
country will do our utmost to reach out to any and every Canadian needing
our support, to try to build bridges, and sensitize our future generations
against the scourge of hatred, intolerance and xenophobia. We are confident
that with your understanding, support, assistance, and generous donations,
such as that of the Jorjezian family, we will help make Canada the envy of
the world," concluded Babikian.

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The ANCC is the largest and the most influential Canadian-Armenian
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of
offices, chapters, and supporters throughout Canada and affiliated
organizations around the world, the ANCC actively advances the concerns of
the Canadian-Armenian community on a broad range of issues.

Regional Chapters/Sections régionales

Montréal – Laval – Ottawa – Toronto – Hamilton – Cambridge – St.
Catharines – Windsor – Vancouver