Schiff honors memory of victims of Armenian Genocide with Burbank community

News.am, Armenia
Schiff honors memory of victims of Armenian Genocide with Burbank community Schiff honors memory of victims of Armenian Genocide with Burbank community

16:21, 20.04.2019
                  

Congressman Adam Schiff with representatives of a number of Armenian organizations on April 16 attended the event commemorating the victims of the Armenian Genocide, which was organized by the Burbank City Council, Asbarez reported.

According to the source, organizations in attendance included the Armenian National Committee of America-Burbank, the Armenian Youth Federation Burbank “Varak” and “Gaidzag” chapters, Homenetmen “Sipan” chapter, and Armenian Relief Society “Araz” chapter.

The commemoration ceremony led by Mayor Emily Gabel-Luddy and members of the Municipal Council began at 6:00pm local time with a proclamation commemorating the Armenian Genocide.

Representatives present included: CA State Senator Anthony J. Portantino, CA Assembly Member Laura Friedman, and LA County Supervisor Katherine Barger joined the solemn occasion. A short remembrance program followed, joined by Congressman Adam Schiff and ANCA – Burbank leaders.

“It is a moral imperative to speak truth to power because genocide tragically is not a thing of the past, but very much a thing of the present,” stated Congressman Schiff. “We join tonight with our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers in the Armenian community to say we recognize the Armenian Genocide and we are devoted to making sure that this never happens again.”

“The Armenian Genocide is still all too relevant today. Unlike other major 20th century genocides, it has still not been acknowledged by the perpetrators, no reparations made, no reconciliation reached,” stated ANCA – Burbank chair Silva Kechichian. She continued “Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide not only serves to honor the victims and educate the public at large, but it also takes an important stand against historical revisionism, which only leads to a repetition of these unjust chapters of history.”

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS