ARMENIAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA
HOSTS OF THE THIRD ANNUAL BANQUET IN SUPPORT OF
80 BIGELOW AVENUE – WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS -02472
PRESS RELEASE
August 27, 2009
Contact: Nairee Hagopian
Phone: 312-615-7698
ACAA ANNOUNCES HONOREES FOR ANNUAL BANQUET IN SUPPORT OF ANCA
EASTERN REGION
–Bandazian and Kerneklian Named Vahan Cardashian Awardees
NEW YORK, NY- The Armenian Cultural Association of America (ACAA)
announced the honorees for the Third Annual Banquet and Awards
Program in support of the Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region and its tradition of service to the Armenian-
American community. The ACAA will host the event, which will take
place on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Espace in New York City.
As a key part of the banquet’s awards program, the Vahan Cardashian
Award will be presented to the brother-sister pair of Bedros
Bandazian and Melanie Kerneklian, both from Richmond, Virginia, who
have dedicated a lifetime of steadfast activism to the ANCA at both
local and leadership levels. Influential figures in their state’s
political and community life, having served volunteer appointments
to a number of state-wide projects and commissions, Bandazian and
Kerneklian are among the founders of the Richmond ANC and have led
countless grassroots educational campaigns in support of Armenian
issues.
Both awardees were instrumental in a campaign aimed at introducing
the teaching of the Armenian Genocide into the Virginia standards
of learning, an effort that was featured in the PBS documentary
series Frontline in March 2002. Both played critical roles in
spearheading the Virginia Governor’s Commission on Armenian Affairs
under different governors. Alongside many leadership
accomplishments within the ACAA, ANCA and ANCA Endowment, Bandazian
established a longstanding record of Virginia gubernatorial
proclamations related to the Armenian Genocide and has been pivotal
in founding the acclaimed Armenian Heritage Cruise, an event that
has become a prominent cultural tradition in the Armenian-American
community over the last decade. During her tenure as a lead staff
member to then Virginia State Delegate Eric Cantor (currently
minority whip of the U.S. House of Representatives), Kerneklian was
a driving force in educating the Virginia legislature on the
Armenian Genocide. The Turkish government, supported by its lobby
and Virginia’s tobacco and defense corporations, responded to these
grassroots educational efforts with heavy-handed political
maneuvers. Ultimately, these educational efforts resulted in the
legislature’s passage of an Armenian Genocide resolution in 2000.
"We are pleased to honor Bedros Bandazian and Melanie Kerneklian
with the Vahan Cardashian Award," said ACAA spokesperson George
Aghjayan "These are two individuals who have repeatedly
demonstrated the power of grassroots education and activism –
especially in a small Armenian community. Their contributions to
the ANC and the Armenian community are an inspiration."
The Vahan Cardashian Award is given annually to an ANCA supporter
who demonstrates longstanding dedication and active involvement in
the Armenian-American community and its issues. The award is named
for Yale-educated lawyer Vahan Cardashian who set aside his
successful New York practice to dedicate himself to the
establishment of the American Committee for the Independence of
Armenia (ACIA), predecessor organization to the Armenian National
Committee, and to advocate for the plight of the Armenian nation.
Established in 1969, the Armenian Cultural Association of America
(ACAA) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization that assists and
supports impoverished people of Armenian origin; welfare
institutions that aid those of Armenian origin; and educational and
charitable organizations that encourage and develop the Armenian
cultural heritage. The ACAA also aids students, authors, artists
and researchers who are pursuing intellectual efforts in Armenian
culture and education, and publishes educational, scientific and
literary books that raise the educational, cultural and
intellectual standards of the community. The ACAA sponsors projects
both in the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian Diaspora. It also
serves as a repository of historic Armenian national documents and
archives.