ASSEMBLY BOARD OF TRUSTEES CONVENE FOR ANNUAL MEETING IN FLORIDA
YEREVAN, MARCH 10. ARMINFO. The Armenian Assembly of America held
its annual national meeting in Boca Raton, Florida last week to
review operations in Washington, Los Angeles and Yerevan, launch new
initiatives and honor those who have served the Armenian cause with
distinction. ARMINFO was informed in the press office of AAA, the
33rd annual Board of Trustees meeting was held March 4-5 at the Boca
Raton Resort and Club and included two full days of business meetings.
As the first order of business, Board of Trustees Chairman Hirair
Hovnanian welcomed participants and thanked them for their involvement
in the meeting. Reflecting on the standard for the Assembly’s
three decades of service to the Armenian people, Hovnanian said
it was imperative to continually “strive for perfection in all the
Assembly does.” He also challenged each member to grow the Assembly
exponentially, so that the organization can better support the citizens
of Armenia and Karabakh to face the enormous challenges ahead. Looking
ahead, participants reviewed the Assembly’s legislative priorities
which include: maintaining robust assistance to Armenia and Karabakh,
maintaining U.S. military assistance parity for Armenia and Azerbaijan,
further promoting U.S.-Armenia trade relations, confronting Turkish
and Azerbaijani blockades and reasserting the basis for Nagorno
Karabakh’s self-determination. In addition, the Assembly reiterated
its pledge to secure U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide
and actively participate in community-wide commemorations of the 90th
anniversary. To achieve these goals and others, including assisting
Armenian communities in war-torn Iraq, Assembly leaders said they will
need to rely more strongly on members and activists across the country.
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues Co-Chair Frank Pallone, Jr.
(D-NJ), who attended and participated in the events, addressed
supporters during the Friday night welcoming reception. Pallone
discussed the recent public declarations by U.S. Ambassador to
Armenia John Evans, who candidly affirmed the Armenian Genocide
during his visit with Armenian communities across the U.S. Pallone
said Evans’ remarks did not contradict U.S. policy, but rather
articulated the same message that the Bush Administration has set
forth in the President’s annual April 24 proclamations. Pallone again
pledged to pursue U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Also
during the meeting, the following Trustees Officers were re-elected
for 2005: Chairman Hirair Hovnanian, President Carolyn Mugar, Vice
President Gerard L. Cafesjian, Vice President Robert A. Kaloosdian,
Vice President Noubar Afeyan, Vice President Joyce Stein, Secretary
Peter Vosbikian, Counselor Robert A. Kaloosdian and Solicitor Albert
Momjian. Edele Hovnanian was elected Treasurer, a position previously
held by Afeyan. Assembly officials also welcomed two new members to
the Board of Directors – Associate Trustee Lu Ann Ohanian of Belmont,
Massachusetts and former Director John