California Courier Online, July 29, 2004
1 – Commentary
Speaker Hastert Misleads Twice,
Opposing Armenian Genocide Bills
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
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2 – Evereg-Fenesse Educational Society
Celebrates 125th Anniversary on Labor Day
3 – St. James Church Honors
Pastor For Elevation
4 – AYF Plans Annual
‘Little Armenia’
Clean-Up, Sept. 25
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1 – Commentary
Speaker Hastert Misleads Twice,
Opposing Armenian Genocide Bills
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
Four years ago, when Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert
(Republican-Illinois) needed the votes of Armenian-Americans in a tight
congressional race in Glendale, California, to secure the Republican
majority in the House of Representatives and his own position as Speaker,
he promised to bring the then pending Armenian Genocide Resolution – which
had been languishing in the House for two years – to a floor vote before
the November 2000 elections.
However, a couple of weeks before the elections and just minutes before the
resolution was scheduled for a vote by the full House, Speaker Hastert, at
the request of Pres. Clinton, reneged on his promise and pulled the
Resolution from the floor, blocking its assured passage.
Hastert then shamelessly made a second deceptive promise. “The U.S. House
of Representatives will undoubtedly return to consideration of this
important issue,” he said. In 2003, after the House Judiciary Committee
adopted a Resolution on the U.N. Genocide Convention that included a
passing reference to the Armenian Genocide, Hastert blocked its
consideration by the full House.
To make matters worse, two weeks ago when the House adopted an amendment
proposed by Cong. Adam Schiff (Democrat-Calif.) to the foreign aid bill,
prohibiting the Turkish government from using U.S. foreign assistance to
lobby Congress against legislation recognizing the Armenian Genocide,
Hastert revealed his most antagonistic position yet on the congressional
recognition of the Armenian Genocide.
In a joint statement with Majority Leader Tom DeLay (Republican-Texas) and
Majority Whip Roy Blunt (Republican-Missouri), Speaker Hastert attacked not
only the Schiff amendment, but also, even more surprisingly, the U.N.
Genocide Convention Resolution (H.Res. 193) that mentions the Armenian
Genocide. Here is the full text of the statement issued by the House
Republican leadership:
“We are strongly opposed to the Schiff Amendment to the Foreign Operations
Appropriations bill, and we will insist that conferees drop that provision
in conference. We have contacted the Bush Administration, and they have
indicated their strong opposition to the amendment. We have also conveyed
our opposition to Chairman Kolbe and he has assured us that he will insist
on it being dropped in the conference committee.
“Turkey has been a reliable ally of the United States for decades, and the
deep foundation upon which our mutual economic and security relationship
rests should not be disrupted by this amendment.
“On its face, the amendment is meaningless. Current U.S. law already
prohibits foreign governments from using American foreign aid to lobby. But
we understand the political motivation behind the amendment, and for that
reason, we will insist that it be dropped.
“Our relationship with Turkey is too important to us to allow it to be in
any way damaged by a poorly crafted and ultimately meaningless amendment.
“Furthermore, we have no intention of scheduling H.Res. 193, as reported
out of the Judiciary Committee in April, during the remainder of this
Congress.”
In addition to the House Republican leadership, the Bush Administration
also opposed the Schiff amendment, even though Pres. Bush, as a candidate,
had promised to support the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. Richard
Boucher, the Spokesman for the State Dept., issued the following statement:
“The Administration strongly opposes this amendment which seeks to restrict
U.S. assistance to Turkey.
“It should not become law. The amendment is detrimental to the cause we all
seek: reconciliation between Turkey and Armenia in pursuit of regional
peace and economic cooperation. Turkey and Armenia have been pursuing these
goals through direct meetings.
“Turkey, our key NATO ally, and Armenia, our close friend, are partners in
the Global War on Terror and in advancing democracy, prosperity and
stability in the Caucasus. Our goal is to bolster cooperation between these
two countries rather than to separate them.
“We welcome the statement by House Speaker Hastert, Majority Leader DeLay
and Majority Whip Blunt citing their strong opposition to this amendment
and their commitment to insisting that the amendment be dropped in
conference. We welcome the Leadership’s recognition of the important
relationship with our reliable ally and friend Turkey and of the need for
continued close economic and security relations between our countries.”
In the next three months, as Armenian-Americans prepare to cast their votes
in the congressional and presidential elections, they should reward all
those who supported the recognition of the Armenian Genocide and punish
those who opposed it. This is not a partisan issue. The Schiff amendment
would have not passed without the support of many Democrats as well as
Republicans in the House.
In this particular episode, the good guys who backed this measure were:
* Cong. Adam Schiff (Dem.-CA) made extraordinary efforts to secure the
passage of his amendment that for the fourth time, and not the first (as
some members of the media have mistakenly reported), puts the U.S. House of
Representatives on record in recognition of the Armenian Genocide. The
other three times were in 1975, 1984, and 1996.
* Cong. Frank Pallone, Jr. (Dem.-N.J.) strongly supported Schiff’s efforts
with remarks on the House floor and subsequently sent a strongly worded
letter to Speaker Hastert blasting him for blocking both the Schiff
Amendment and the Genocide Resolution (twice).
* Cong. Joseph Crowley (Dem.-NY) delivered very strong remarks on the House
floor in support of the Schiff amendment.
* Cong. George Radanovich (Rep.-CA) joined Congressmen Schiff and Pallone
in co-signing a letter urging other House members to sign a “Dear
Colleague” letter to Speaker Hastert.
Here is the list of the bad guys who opposed the Schiff amendment:
* Speaker Hastert (Rep.-Ill.), a repeat offender.
* House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (Rep.-Tex.).
* House Majority Whip Roy Blunt (Rep.-Missouri).
* Cong. Jim Kolbe (Rep.-Arizona), the Chairman of Foreign Operations
Appropriations Subcommittee, issued a statement opposing the Schiff
amendment after its passage, when the Republican leadership put the heat on
him for not blocking it on the floor. He said: “As the chair of the pending
conference committee on the Foreign Operations bill, I will insist this
meaningless language be removed in conference.”
* The Bush Administration for opposing both the Schiff Amendment and the
Genocide Resolution.
I urge everyone to send a WebFax via to Speaker Hastert,
Majority Leader DeLay and Majority Whip Blunt expressing your
disappointment at their opposition to the Schiff amendment. I would also
urge all Armenian-American organizations to sign a joint letter being
currently circulated to Speaker Hastert asking him to reconsider his
opposition to the Schiff amendment and the Genocide Resolution.
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2 – Evereg-Fenesse Educational Society
Celebrates 125th Anniversary on Labor Day
By Mireille Kalfayan
PASADENA, Calif. – The Evereg-Fenesse Mesrobian-Roupinian Educational
Society is celebrating its 125th Anniversary, on September 3, 4, and 5,
2004 (Labor Day weekend), during its 17th Triennial International
Convention at the Sheraton Universal Hotel.
One would wonder why young, modern, educated Diaspora-born Armenians would
dedicate themselves to propagate this “old country” organization, and
maintain its ancestral traditions with the same awe and affiliation as
their immigrant parents and grandparents?
Is it in respect or nostalgia of our childhood memories at hyrenagitz
(compatriotic) picnics and dances, or of our parents’ and grandparents’
dedication to safeguard old traditions and history, or simply fascination
of the mystery of its long abiding spirit in our veins?
For a daughter of Everegtsi mother and Fenessetsi father, asked to write
about the history and growth of this organization, unfolding the mystery
revealed a culture deep in tradition and its relentless urge for education.
Starting from its geography, its history and legends, to its inception in
the diaspora, Evereg-Fenesse presents the magical mystery of faith and
survival of all Armenians. Here is Our Story.
Geography & History
Evereg is located south of Ceasaria, separated by Erjias Lehr (Arkeos as
the Greeks called it), the highest mountain of the region, covered always
with snow. It is believed that Noah’s Ark had first hit this mountain and
the Nahabed having said, “Arachinnen eh ahs,” his words had been converted
into “Erjias.” Before the Turkish expansion, in the years around 1285,
Evereg had been inhabited by Greeks who had built towers on the mountain
and waterways down to the towns. It was conquered by Turkish generals Dev
Ali, Kheder Elias, and Sheikh Ali, and all its Greek inhabitants massacred.
Dev Ali’s followers settled on the mountain, taking over the towers and its
waters, calling the town Develi.
When war was over, skilled workers were needed for rebuilding. Armenians,
being known for their skills, came and settled there, but half an hour
south of Develi, in the valley where the Greeks had built a church and a
waterway running down to it from the mountain. The church had been
destroyed, but the water was available. The Turks settled on the south of
that waterway. The Armenians settled on the northside, expanding later
over its hills to the other side. Armenian immigrants coming from different
regions were identified by their names; for example, those from Persia were
called Barsamenk, from Tehran, Tarkhanenk, from Tomarza, Domartsook…. These
Armenians co-existed peacefully with the Turks, free to practice their
religion, and living on gardening and commerce.
Two hundred years later, Armenian immigrants from Konya came to settle
above the hills where the Turks’ homes ended, calling it Fenesse. So the
two towns of Evereg and Fenesse, although near each other (about a
10-minute walk) were separated by Turks. Both Evereg and Fenesse prided on
highly skilled craftsmen:
ironsmith, cobbler, carpenter, hairdresser, tailor, weaver, etc. Each had
its own “shooga” with many shops and stores. Each had its own church, both
named St. Toros, with their adjacent schools Evereg-Mesrobian School, and
Fenesse-Roupinian School.
Origins of the Organization
The Evereg Fenesse Farmers Union was first formed in 1861 in Istanbul to
help compatriots in their region. Founded and chaired by Garabed Panossian
and Kevork Kelejian (a “gesaratsi”), it gathered 300 members of cobblers,
painters, “chalmale, shalvarle,” poor people who had come to seek work in
Istanbul. The union
Rented two restaurants and opened one tobacco store, collecting donations –
“passing a hat at the restaurant.” Six months later, it had raised 28,000
ghroosh, for the villages of Evereg and Fenesse. This union dissolved
later.
During 1870’s, when a general movement among the Armenians in Istanbul
aimed at elevating the standards of education in Armenian schools
throughout Turkey, the Everegtsis and Fenessetsis separately raised funds
and sent qualified teachers to their homeland. Thus in 1878, were founded
the Evereg-Mesrobian and Fenesse-Roupinian Educational societies, named
after the schools in these two villages.
With many Everegtsis and Fenessetsis escaping the growing strife in Turkey
and moving to America, Evereg-Mesrobian was founded again in New York on
October 1, 1906, extending chapters later to other states. Many of those
chapters later dissolved except for Detroit which kept sending help to its
school in Turkey till 1914. The society then sent money to its chapter in
Beirut to distribute to needy emigrant families. It also provided tuition
support to elementary school students of Everegtsi or Fenessetsi descent
who attended the AGBU Armenian school in Detroit and to colleges in
Michigan. “When we came to America in 1928 with my husband, there were two
societies, Evereg and Fenesse, but we attended each other’s activities,”
explained 92-year-old Mrs. Nercessian, wife of Nercess Nercessian, a long
time secretary of the society.
When all Armenians from New York and Michigan went to California, they
started working together and suggested joining the societies. One reason,
Mrs. Nercessian explained, was that as most Everegtsi and Fenessetsi
families had intermarried, the funds received from each society by their
members were being duplicated. Considering this and the fact that these two
communities had lived side by side and shared the joys and sorrows of life
together as one community, the need of a merger was felt more and more
strongly. Therefore, on April 17, 1955, authorized representatives of the
Mesrobian and Roupinian Associations met
in New York and signed an Agreement of Unification, drawing a constitution
and by-laws, which was ratified at a joint convention held on September 1,
1956.
The joint Evereg-Fenesse Mesrobian-Roupinian Educational Society still
stands to this day in many chapters in Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, and
Beirut, continuing to raise funds and supporting Armenian education and the
traditions of the culture.
For Information about the Convention, call Margaret Mgrublian at (626)
798-4480, E-mail: [email protected], or Houry Kurkciyan at (818)
346-0893, E-mail: [email protected]
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3 – St. James Church Honors
Pastor For Elevation
LOS ANGELES – The St. James Armenian Church recently held a banquet
congratulating the Rev. Fr. Arshag Khatchadourian on his elevation to Arch
Priest. Over 300 hundred quests were in attendance. Archbishop Hovnan
Derderian, Primate, Armenian Church of North America, celebrated the Divine
Liturgy and honored Fr. Arshag with an encyclical issued by Catholicos
Karekin II.
On this occasion, Archbishop Derderian honored the members of the St. James
Parish Council, the Ladies Society, the Memorial Fund and the Chairmen of
all auxiliary bodies for their dedication to St. James.
Archbishop Derderian also presented Mary Najarian with an Encyclical
Blessing from Catholicos Karekin II for her medical and humanitarian
efforts both here and in Armenia.
In his congratulatory remarks, Archbishop Derderian stated that Fr. Arshag
is the embodiment of the Christian faith, love and hope; commending him for
his continued support and dedication to the church; and that the presence
of the faithful certainly testifies to the outpouring love of his people.
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4 – AYF Plans Annual
‘Little Armenia’
Clean-Up, Sept. 25
LOS ANGELES – The planning and organizing of the Second Annual Little
Armenia Clean Up has begun, the Armenian Youth Federation announced last
week. The Clean Up is scheduled for Sept. 25. The Clean Up is scheduled for
Sept. 25, starting at 8:30 a.m.
The clean up, cosponsored by Council Member Eric Garcetti’s Office, will
follow an opening ceremony, including remarks by Garcetti. Volunteers for
the clean up will work to remove litter and unwanted weeds from the streets
and sidewalks.
The clean up, a project of the AYF Little Armenia Beautification Program,
will include the renewal of the “Welcome to Little Armenia” banners placed
on various major intersections of Little Armenia.
“It is an honor to the Armenian American community to have an area of the
Los Angeles named after our homeland,” said Vicken Sosikian, Chairman of
the AYF Western Region. “Since October of 2000, we have enjoyed this honor,
and feel that we not only need to give back to Little Armenia and its
residents, but also to the city of Los Angeles.”
The AYF counts on the support of the Armenian community to make this
community outreach event a success. Those who are interested in
volunteering for the clean up or contributing to the effort in anyway
should email the AYF at [email protected].
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