CONNECTICUT ARMENIANS GATHER AT STATE CAPITOL IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
armradio.am
29.04.2008 10:29
On Saturday April 26, 2008, over 120 Armenians gathered at the
Hartford State Capitol for a commemorative service in recognition of
the Armenian Genocide, reported the Armenian National Committee of
America, Eastern Region.
The program included an invocation from the local Armenian Churches;
recognition of Armenian Genocide survivors in the Connecticut
area; remarks by Rep. John Geragosian (D-25); and presentation of a
proclamation by the Governor; as well as remarks and singing by the
youth and requiem service.
Greg Kuo from the Genocide Intervention Network, gave an informative
update on the actions GI-Net is taking to have the teachings of
genocide in the school system.
Keynote speaker ANCA Eastern Region Director Karine Birazian talked
about taking action and being part of the solution. During her
comments she said, "As Samantha Power, Pulizer Prize winner, for
her book a Problem From Hell has discussed on several occasions,
you can either be a bystander or an upstander. I implore all of you
to become upstanders. And not watch another survivor pass without
proper recognition or watch another Darfurian die. We must continue,
as Armenian Americans, to raise our voices about the truth and ensure
that our children will not have to bear witness to similar atrocities."
Following the special requiem service a "Madagh" was donated by the St.
Stephen’s Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Church of the Holy
Resurrection, and St. George Armenian Apostolic Church where gatherers
met with Birazian.
Earlier that week on April 24 community members gathered at the State
Capitol for an annual Armenian flag raising ceremony. Following the
events Geragosian commented: "For years we have been told that it is
‘not a good time’ to press for such a resolution. "Enough is enough;
it’s time for us to come to grips with what many nations the world
over have already recognized–the 1915 massacre of Armenian–Turks
was a genocide."
As Majority Caucus Chair, Geragosian was elected to the Connecticut
House of Representatives in 1994. Representing the 25th district
located in New Britain he serves on the Appropriations, Insurance &
Real Estate, and Judiciary Committees.