Click here for high quality photos:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10155588928106898&type=1&l=0ef797f876
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 8, 2018
Contact: Danielle Saroyan
Telephone: (202) 393-3434
Web: www.aaainc.org
HUNDREDS OF GUESTS FROM ACROSS THE U.S. CELEBRATE ANNIE SIMONIAN
TOTAH AT THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY’S NATIONAL GALA
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Hundreds of guests
hailing from sixteen different states across the U.S. attended the Armenian
Assembly of America's (Assembly) Gala honoring Annie Simonian Totah in
Washington, D.C., closing out the Assembly's National Advocacy Conference.
Assembly President Carolyn Mugar and Co-Chairs Anthony Barsamian and Van
Krikorian presented Totah with the Assembly's Distinguished Humanitarian Award
for her 40 years of advocacy for the betterment of Armenia, Artsakh, and
U.S.-Armenia relations.
Totah also received the Movses Khorenatsi Medal from the
government of Armenia presented by Armenia Ambassador to the United States, His
Excellency Grigor Hovhannissian. The Movses Khorenatsi Medal is awarded for
outstanding achievements in the spheres of culture, art, literature, education,
social sciences, and sports. Ambassador Hovhannissian shared congratulatory
remarks from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan thanking her for her devotion to
Armenia and recognizing the Assembly's leadership as a "forward-thinking
organization [that] continues to be at the forefront of many critical
issues."
"I am truly touched and grateful to receive these two
prestigious awards and to have the benefit of sharing the evening with so many
wonderful friends and colleagues," Assembly Board Member and honoree Annie
Totah remarked. "I very much appreciate the honors and accolades bestowed
upon me and it will be my privilege, my will of duty to continue with my
advocacy work. I would also like to thank the many generous and wonderful
sponsors and guests for helping ensure the success of our three day
extravaganza," Totah concluded.
Special guests, including Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Member, Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA); House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer
(D-MD); and Armenian Caucus Co-Chair and Founder Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ),
reflected on their experience working with Totah, and her tireless efforts.
"If you were to look up 'Armenian excellence' in the
dictionary, you would see a beautiful photo of Annie," stated Senator
Markey. "She has spent her life fighting for recognition for the Armenian
people and the Genocide. And tonight, we finally give her the recognition which
she deserves, presenting her with the Distinguished Humanitarian Award. Annie
has always been a trailblazer," he continued. "Congratulations,
Annie. Nobody deserves it more," he concluded.
Senator Markey also spoke about the Armenian Assembly's extensive
work with Congress, noting the organization's efforts in displaying the
"orphan rug" and supporting Armenian Genocide legislation in the
Senate. He noted Armenia's peaceful transition and its strong democracy
showcased this year, especially at a time when neighboring nations' democratic
values are "heading backwards."
"This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Nagorno Karabakh
Liberation Movement. This anniversary is an important reminder of how far the
Armenian people of the region have come, but also how far we have yet to go.
Since Azerbaijan launched its brutal offensive against Nagorno Karabakh, it is
our duty to stand with the Armenian communities who remain to rest; it is our
duty to end this sort of gruesome aggression against Armenian peoples; it is
our duty to call out this violence for the crime that it is. As long as
Azerbaijan continues to violate the ceasefire agreement and attack Armenians,
the United States should cut off all military aid to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan
spends more on its military than the entire national budget of Armenia,"
Senator Markey exclaimed during his remarks.
House Majority Whip Congressman Steny Hoyer spoke highly of the
Armenian American community, and especially his experience working with Totah
over the past three decades to strengthen U.S.-Armenia relations, where, he
explained, she has been involved with "every step of the way." He
described her as a "force of nature" and "a woman of great inner
strength that time and faith have not diminished, whose heroic heart has
blessed us all, and who continues to strive, to seek, to find, and not to
yield."
"Annie has been involved in every aspect of the Armenian
Caucus," stated Rep. Pallone. "She was very influential to get
Members to join in the very beginning. Needless to say, I don't think there was
ever a time when we were not trying to get the Armenian Genocide resolution
passed when she wasn't there – at the committee, outside the committee room,
calling Members." He added: "I cannot think of a time when she has
not been involved."
Congressman Pallone also shared a statement in the congressional
record on behalf of Totah, stating in part: "For over 40 years, Ms. Totah
has been a leading defender of human rights, and a local advocate of Armenia,
Artsakh, and the Armenian American community." On the House Floor,
Congressman Pallone said: "I rise today to congratulate the Armenian
Assembly's 2018 Distinguished Humanitarian Award honoree, Ms. Annie Simonian
Totah…I have known Annie throughout my entire congressional career and I can
say without hesitation that Annie's passion, dedication, and commitment to
Armenia and Artsakh is unparalleled."
In addition to the Prime Minister of Armenia, the Assembly also
received congratulatory letters from Senate Democratic Leader Charles
"Chuck" Schumer (D-NY), the leadership of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues, the President of Armenia, Dr. Armen Sarkissian and the
President of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic, Bako Sahakyan.
"I am grateful for the opportunity to express my admiration
for the outstanding work of the Armenian Assembly of America and Mrs. Annie
Simonian Totah," Senator Schumer's letter stated. "Thank you for your
commitment and dedication in promoting democracy and representing the interests
of Armenian-Americans. I know the Armenian Assembly of America will continue
these efforts for many years to come," he continued.
"Your voice is powerful and as the Co-Chairs and Vice-Chairs
of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, it gives us great pleasure to commend the
Armenian Assembly for its nonpartisan advocacy and successes over these many
years, especially in strengthening the relationship between the United States
and Armenia. We applaud the Assembly's steadfast commitment in support of a
strong and vibrant homeland free from blockades, at peace with its neighbors
and secure in its borders," the leadership of the Congressional Caucus on
Armenian Issues said in a joint letter.
"I extend my congratulations to the Armenian Assembly of
America on the occasion of its national Advocacy Conference and Gala in
Washington, D.C., and for honoring a longtime champion of many causes on behalf
of the Armenian people in their homeland and in the diaspora," stated the
President of Armenia, Dr. Armen Sarkissian. "We attach a great importance
to the activities of the Armenian Assembly of America, the organization, which
I know from the first days of its foundation. I am pleased to join you as you
honor one of your long-time leaders, Annie Simonian Totah. She has been a
pillar of the Armenian American community for many decades and her activism on
many fronts has been a major service to our country and our people."
"From the very beginning of the Karabakh Movement, the
Assembly has stood shoulder to shoulder with us, and as we struggled for our
very existence, the Assembly opened new corridors in the diaspora for our
survival. In fact, the Armenian Assembly of America has an anchor in Washington
for the Armenians of Artsakh," Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh) President Bako
Sahakyan explained in his congratulatory letter. "Artsakh is proud of its
long-standing friendship with the Assembly and is deeply grateful for its
hospitality and leadership in America. With individuals like Annie Totah, and
organizations like the Assembly, we are confident that the diaspora will
continue to stand with us in defense of our freedoms and people," he
added.
The evening concluded with light-hearted and personal stories from
three of Annie's children – Nicole, Elliot, and Karina, reflecting on their
mom's dedication over the years, and her steadfast determination.
"On behalf of the Armenian Assembly, I would like to thank
our special guests and all of our donors and supporters, including partner
organizations AGBU and the Eastern and Western Diocese of the Armenian Church
of America, for making the National Advocacy Conference a success and the Gala
such a wonderful evening," stated Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.
"I would also like to thank our amazing Master of Ceremonies, Aram
Bakshian, who kept the evening flowing smoothly with our featured speakers and
the beautiful performance by Milena Oganesyan, giving the guests a special
opportunity to experience Armenian dancing featured at this year's Smithsonian
Folklife Festival."
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the
largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#: 2018-044
Click here for more, high quality photos: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10155588928106898&type=1&l=0ef797f876
Available online at: http://bit.ly/2A0wNOF
JPEG image
1.jpg
JPEG image
3.jpg
JPEG image
4.jpg
JPEG image