LEBANESE-AMERICAN FOUNDATION/HOUSE OF LEBANON
by Divan of the Western Diocese
n-foundation-house-of-lebanon/
Apr 23 2009
On April 20, 2009, under the auspices of His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church of North America, the Lebanese-American Foundation/House of
Lebanon held a banquet at the Hampar Primate’s Reception Room of the
Arshag and Eleanor Dickranian Diocesan Complex in Burbank, California.
Master of Ceremonies for the evening Raffi Kendirjian offered the
opening remarks wherein he said: "I believe that tonight’s gathering
was long overdue. Thanks to the initiative of His Eminence Archbishop
Hovnan Derderian and the efforts of Dr. Shammas and Mr. Hamzeh from
the Lebanese American Foundation, we have the opportunity tonight
to get to know one another and exchange our experiences." Upon the
conclusion of his remarks Mr. Kendirjian introduced the Chair of
the Diocesan Council Joseph Kanimian, Esq., to address the guests on
the festive occasion. Joseph Kanimian, Esq., greeted the guests and
reflected on the generosity and charity shown by the Lebanese people
to the Armenian refugees fleeing the dreadful Armenian Genocide in
Turkey during the early years of the 20th century.
Several other distinguished guests spoke during the evening, including
His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, His Excellency Husam Diab,
Consul General of Lebanon in Los Angeles, The Honorable Armand Arabian,
Retired California Supreme Court Justice, The Honorable James Kaddo,
Retired Superior Court Judge, and The Honorable Dennis Zine, LA City
Councilmember. There were many other distinguished guests present
during this historic event.