PRESS RELEASE
Date: February 12, 2008
Armenian National Committee of Illinois
1701 N. Greenwood, Glenview, IL 60026
Contact: Nairee Hagopian
Tel: 312-615-7698
ANC of Illinois Hosts Fundraiser for Congressman Lipinski
Palos Heights, IL- On February 1, 2008, the Armenian National
Committee of Illinois (ANC of IL) sponsored a fundraiser for
Congressman Daniel Lipinski (D-3). The event was hosted by Mr. and
Mrs. Sarkis and Betty Arakelian and held at Saints Joachim and Anne
Church in Palos Heights, Illinois. Over 40 supporters were in
attendance to thank and honor a Representative who is a strong
supporter of the Armenian American community.
Following the event, ANC of IL Chairman Ari Killian commented: "It
is a pleasure honoring an elected official who is committed to
issues that are important to Armenian Americans." The ANC of
Illinois recently endorsed Congressman Lipinski for the February 5th
primaries, which Lipinski won with over 53% of the votes.
In November of 2007, Congressman Lipinski gave a powerful floor
speech addressing the Armenian genocide and presenting its history,
denial, and need for remembrance stating: "…today we have the
opportunity to speak of the annihilation of the Armenians . We can
finally characterize the systematic murder of 1.5 million Ottoman
Armenians as genocide, and rightfully condemn those atrocious
killings that occurred 90 years ago. The prevention of future
genocides may depend on it." (Full speech can be read below).
Congressman Lipinski’s assignments include Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure, Committee on Science and
Technology, and Committee on Small Business. Lipinski is a co-
sponsor of House Resolution 106 Affirmation of the United States
Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and is a member of the
Armenian Caucus.
Lipinski was elected in 2004. He is a Chicago native and currently
lives in Western Springs, Illinois with his wife Judy.
The Armenian National Committee of Illinois is part of the largest
and most influential Armenian American grassroots political
organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and
affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively
advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.
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Photo Caption: Standing L to R: ANC activists Greg Bedian,
Dr. Raffi Hovanessian, Sarkis & Betty Arakelian and Kevork
Arakelian Sitting L to R: Ari Killian, Cong. Lipinski, Judy Lipinski, Shohag
Hovanessian
Full text of Congressman Lipinkski’s Floor Speech
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address one of the darkest events of
the 20th century, an event that we must not let be forgotten.
During the First World War and in the final days of the Ottoman
Empire, one of t he worst atrocities in human history occurred.
Even among the chaos and violence of World War I, this atrocity
stood out, horrifying foreign witnesses, and prompting Theodore
Roosevelt to call it, "the greatest crime of the war." This crime
against humanity was the Armenian genocide.
Although large-scale violence against Armenians had
previously occurred, the events from 1915 to 1918 were truly
unprecedented. During this period, approximately 1.5 million
Armenians were systematically killed by the Ottoman Government,
while the surviving Armenians were left without homes, jobs,
possessions, and, most importantly, their loved ones.
Yet, despite overwhelming evidence that the Ottoman Government
actively sought to destroy the Armenian population, this genocide,
the first of the 20th century, has been overlooked by the United
States. This is simply wrong. Because, to end genocide, we must
stand up to it whenever and wherever it occurs. If we do not, we
only embolden those who would commit genocide elsewhere.
In 1939, while explaining his plan to destroy the Polish
population, Adolph Hitler stated, "Who, after all, today speaks of
the annihilation of the Armenians?" And many of my Polish
brothers and sisters died.
Mr. Speaker, today we have the opportunity to speak of the
annihilation of the Armenians. We can finally characterize the
systematic murder of 1.5 million Ottoman Armenians as genocide, and
rightfully condemn those atrocious killings that occurred 90 years
ago. The prevention of future genocides may depend on it.