Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
March 20, 2009
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, ACTIVISTS AND GENOCIDE SCHOLAR
ADDRESS ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY NATIONAL ADVOCACY CONFERENCE
Newly uncovered Armenian Genocide photos revealed
Washington, DC – Earlier this month, the Armenian Assembly of America
(Assembly), under the leadership of Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Hirair Hovnanian and Advocacy Conference Co-Chairs, Annie Totah, Rachel
Kaprielian and Peter Kezirian, Jr., held its 2009 National Advocacy
Conference in Washington, DC.
In spite of the economic hardships facing our nation and the surprise
March winter snowstorm that blanketed much of the East Coast, trustees,
members, advocates and young professionals converged on the nation’s
capital to discuss issues of importance to the Armenian-American
community and to meet with Members of Congress, ensuring that our voices
are heard, loud and clear in the hallways of Congress.
"It was heartwarming to see so many people joining us," said Co-Chair
Totah. "We thank everyone for their loyalty, year after year, and for
their support of Armenian issues, and for continuing to move forward the
mission of the Armenian Assembly of America and of our homeland."
On Sunday, the Assembly welcomed and registered hundreds of supporters
from all over the country and overseas for the three-day Advocacy
Conference and Banquet.
Hirair Hovnanian Pledges Matching Funds up to $1 Million
Later that afternoon, the Assembly held a Board of Trustees
Meeting-Luncheon, where Chairman Hirair Hovnanian and Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny reviewed the activities of the Assembly and discussed
plans for the future. Hovnanian announced the launch of a special
fundraising campaign. He pledged to match all 2009 contributions to the
Assembly up to $1 million.
Sunday evening there was a Welcome Reception where all the attendees
mingled with old friends and made new ones. Special guests included:
Armenia’s Minister of the Diaspora Hranush Hakobyan; Armenia’s
Ambassador to the U.S. His Excellency Tatoul Markarian; Deputy Chief of
Mission Varuzhan Nersessian; as well as Dr. Hilmar Kaiser, a scholar who
specializes in late Ottoman era social and economic history, with
special emphasis on the Armenian Genocide.
All attendees expressed their excitement to be in the nation’s capital
and to be part of the Assembly’s advocacy event.
Conference Panels
On Monday morning, the formal portion of the Advocacy Conference
comprised of a panel discussion, several speakers and an exhibit
featuring newly uncovered photographs of the Armenian Genocide.
The first panel, "Genocide Education, Denial, Prevention & Human
Rights," which was moderated by Massachusetts State Representative Peter
Koutoujian, featured Ms. Nancy Kaufman, Jewish Community Relations
Council of Greater Boston; Mr. Andrew Tarsy, Facing History and
Ourselves Foundation and Ms. Kathryn Porter, Leadership Council for
Human Rights.
Mr. Tarsy discussed the importance of cooperation between Armenian and
Jewish organizations, stating, "It was genocide. It should be called
genocide. And our national and our international Jewish organizations
should be calling it genocide and should be building relationships of
peace and fellowship with our Armenian friends."
During her remarks, Ms. Kaufman said: "Given our long-standing activism
in greater Boston on the issue of genocide education and prevention, it
was not difficult for us to take a very firm and supportive position of
the Armenian Community around the issue of calling the atrocities
perpetuated against the Armenians in the early part of the last century
what they were: Genocide," adding, "I am suggesting to you today, that
when we say ‘never again,’ those two words must resonate in a world that
too often forgets — where governments are still permitted to deny the
facts of history and are not willing to come to terms with their dark
past."
Ms. Porter concluded, "We must pressure the Turkish government to say
the words. What is not said, what is unheard, cannot be atoned. …I
believe that if we had truly addressed the Armenian Genocide, these
[subsequent] crimes against humanity would not have happened."
Congressmen Speak
Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) both
participated in the Featured Speaker Luncheon. Both Members of Congress
discussed their commitment to seeing the historical fact of the Armenian
Genocide reaffirmed by the United States. Rep. McGovern stated, "In the
name of historic truth – and in honor of the historic role so many
American diplomats and relief workers played in saving lives and
condemning the genocide as it was taking place – the United States has a
special role and obligation to recognize the Armenian Genocide." He also
noted that the activists in attendance were "genuine leaders and
partners in community, state and national efforts to educate your fellow
Americans about the other genocides of the 20th and 21st Centuries."
Rep. McCotter added, "One of the most important things that our Armenian
community did for me was to introduce me to survivors, and to look them
in the eye and to hear them ask for help to get recognition for their
suffering, that is why I am here today. And that is why I continue to be
active in the Armenian community; because when you look at your fellow
human beings and understand what they’ve been through, and to see the
world, for whatever reason, in denial as to their pain, and refusing,
for strategic purposes or otherwise to give them their due. Not only is
it hurtful from an empathetic sense but it is also ominous because where
the sins of the past are not recognized, the sins of the present and the
future will occur. And we see that in our world today."
Later that afternoon, Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA) discussed the
forthcoming U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, U.S. aid to
Armenia and how to ensure that transportation routes in the South
Caucasus "reflect a desire for peace rather than a desire to isolate."
He went on to state that "It is important that the first genocide of the
20th century be recognized. Not only that we do it while some of the
survivors are still with us, but that we do it for the government and
the people of Turkey. …The first step of a great future is to
acknowledge the good and the bad of the past. We owe it to our friends
the Turks to recognize the Armenian Genocide and to get them to do the
same."
The last presentation of the day was made by Ms. Zaida Arguedas, of the
League of Women Voters (LWV), who spoke about "Democracy, Coalition
Building & Advocacy." After describing the partnership between the
Assembly and the LWV, Arguedas said, "It is very hard to achieve
anything if we don’t work in coalitions…We need to bring coalitions,
groups of like-minded organizations [together] in order to have a
stronger voice."
Last year, the Assembly and LWV launched a project in Armenia that
provides local NGOs with the skills necessary to successfully build and
maintain coalitions. This program is made possible through the
collective efforts of the League of Women Voters, the Assembly and the
NGO Center Civil Society Development NGO.
Armenian Genocide Photographic Exhibit
The Armenian Genocide Photographic Exhibit, featuring newly uncovered
photos of the Armenian Genocide, was introduced Monday by Dr. Kaiser.
During the photo presentation, Kaiser said, "What you see in this
exhibition is material that has one thing in common. All of these photos
come from a German source…These photos are all documented. For most of
them we even have the negatives…[A]ll of the sources are accompanied
by text so we know where the photo was taken, by whom, what it
represents and what was said."
The exhibit was made possible through the generosity of Vartkess and
Rita Balian, Hirair and Anna Hovnanian and Carolyn Mugar.
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 501(c) (3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2009-020