Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
November 9, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY HONORS HRANT DINK’S LEGACY AT 35TH ANNIVERSARY GALA
IN CALIFORNIA
Beverly Hills, CA – More than 400 Armenian Assembly supporters from
across the country gathered at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on November
3rd to pay tribute to one of the most prominent Armenian voices in
Turkey, the late Hrant Dink. Dink’s widow Rakel was on hand to accept
the Assembly’s Distinguished Humanitarian Award posthumously bestowed
upon Dink.
Mrs. Dink, who traveled from Turkey to accept the award, delivered a
moving and thought-provoking speech, recalling that her husband fought
tirelessly for Turkish-Armenian rapprochement. He was searching for a
way to help both Armenians and Turks heal and move forward while
acknowledging the truths of history, Mrs. Dink said, speaking in
Armenian.
She then noted that past events or traumas can only be overcome by
understanding and forgiveness, and that her husband was always
"telling people to empathize with others, to try to understand and
share their pain. He did this with "enormous courage, perseverance,
excitement and love," she said. [The English version of Dink’s speech
is attached.]
Mrs. Dink also discussed efforts in the U.S. to reaffirm the Armenian
Genocide. She noted that the U.S. lawmakers who are considering the
Armenian Genocide resolution all know the truth, but that they are
simply putting politics before ethics.
Assembly Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar presented the
Assembly’s Distinguished Humanitarian Award to Mrs. Dink. Reflecting
on the life and work of the slain editor, Mugar noted that Hrant Dink
was: "an Armenian hero whose life inspired, and whose martyrdom shook
millions of people around the world."
"As a true intellectual, Hrant Dink believed in the innate goodness of
people and the ultimate power of that goodness over the darker aspects
of human character. He was a passionate believer in the power of
conviction and was an outspoken opponent of extremism and violence in
all forms," Mugar continued.
Prior to the award presentation, guests watched a touching video which
offered a glimpse into the private life Dink shared with his loved
ones. Also that evening, information was provided regarding the
newly-established International Hrant Dink Foundation which, among
other things, seeks to advance dialogue between different cultures,
provide scholarships to students in need, and establish an Armenian
research institute in Turkey.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly 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.
###
NR#2007-131
Editor’s Note: To read the English version of Rakel Dink’s speech
please click on the following link:
es/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PDFs_for_releases/Rakel_Din k_Remarks.pdf
***The Armenian version will follow.
Photograph can be viewed on the Assembly’s Web site at the following
links:
aaainc/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/2007-131_Photo_1 .jpg
Caption: L to R: Board of Trustees Member Richard Mushegain, Board of
Trustees Treasurer Edele Hovnanian, Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair
Hovnanian, Rakel Dink, Anna Hovnanian, Board of Trustees Member Peter
Vosbikian and Board of Trustees Counselor Van Z. Krikorian at the
Assembly’s 35th Anniversary Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on
November 3rd.
s/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/2007-131_Photo_2.jpg
Captio n: Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar presents Rakel Dink
with the Assembly’s Distinguished Humanitarian Award honoring her
husband, the late Hrant Dink.
es/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/2007-131_Photo_3.jpg
Capti on: Clockwise: Life Trustees Irene and Peter Vosbikian, Anna
Hovnanian, Dink’s nephew Haycan Dink, Rakel Dink, Board of Trustees
Chairman Hirair Hovnanian, Anahid Harutyunyan Chairman of the
Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan and Armenia’s Consul General
Armen Liloyan.