Armenian National Committee of Burbank
361 East Magnolia Boulevard, Suite C
Burbank, California 91502
Web:
Tel: (818) 562-1918
PRESS RELEASE
April 30, 2010
Contact: Michael Kiaman
Tel: (818) 562-1918
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL DRAWS OVER 400 TO BURBANK CITY HALL
BURBANK, CA—The Armenian National Committee of Burbank (ANC Burbank)
organized its annual candlelight vigil commemoration of the Armenian
Genocide on Tuesday, April 27th. Over 400 people attended the event which
took place on the steps of Burbank City Hall.
"The ANC of Burbank hopes to renew the effort to not only commemorate the
tragic events of this horrific time in our collective history, but to also
reaffirm that in order to truly respect the lives lost we must acknowledge
this truth at the national level," noted Armond Aghakhanian, the chair of
the event’s organizing committee. "Our community welcomes the continued
support of the Burbank City Council in sustaining this fight to uphold the
truth."
The vigil took place following the Burbank City Council session in chambers
where Aghakhanian and Naira Chehras, a senior at Burbank High School,
received a proclamation from City of Burbank Mayor Gary Bric, acknowledging
the 95th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
Aghakhanian also thanked Mayor Bric for a letter he wrote to President
Barack Obama highlighting the push for formal US reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide.
During the vigil, the crowd was addressed by several community leaders
including Chehras, Zareh Sinanyan (ANC PAC), Michael Kiaman (ANC Burbank),
Shahan Boghigian (Armenian Youth Federation "Varak" Burbank Chapter), and
Aram Ohanian (ARF Badenagan "Kaytz" Chapter).
The Armenian National Committee of Burbank advances the social, economic,
cultural, and political rights of the area’s Armenian American community and
promotes increased Armenian American civic participation at the grassroots
and public policy levels.
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FULL TEXT OF BURBANK MAYOR GARY BRIC’S LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA:
Honorable Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
On April 27, 2010, the City of Burbank will recognize the Armenian Genocide
Remembrance, and every year we are reminded that the United States of
America is a champion of espousing human rights around the world, and as
such, bears the responsibility to help ensure America’s historic leadership
and humanitarian values on which our country was founded, including the
lessons learned from the past, are never forgotten.
This year marks the ninety-fifth anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; which
is an important issue to many of our constituents. Our legislative
representatives including: Congressman Adam Schiff, Congressman Brad
Sherman, Congressman Howard Berman, Senator Barbara Boxer and Senator Diane
Feinstein, all support the formal recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Gary R. Bric
Mayor, City of Burbank
cc: Congressman Howard Berman
Congressman Adam Schiff
Congressman Brad Sherman
Senator Barbara Boxer
Senator Diane Feinstein
Michael S. Flad, Burbank City Manager