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WEBSITE AT <;HTTP://WWW.ASBAREZ. COM 1) ANCA Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Remembrance Draws 40 Members of Congress 2) Prominent Leaders Mobilize in Support of the Armenian Cause 3) Government Approves Aid to Plane Crash Victims' Families 4) Turks Lobby against French Bill Prohibiting Genocide Denial 5) ANCA-WR Takes Part in California Democratic Party Convention 6) Armenian President Awards German Author 7) ANCA Helps Raise Awareness on Southland Campuses 8) Families of Migrant Workers Stunned by Sudden Loss 9) Prelate Expresses Condolences for Lives Lost in Armavia Plane Crash 10) AYF Offers Condolences to Friends And Family of Crash Victims 11) Schiff Names Seta Simonian 'Woman of the Year' for California's 29th District 12) Chamlian Students Bring Home Awards 13) ATP Plants Trees in 75 Armenian Communities This Spring 14) Restitution of Armenian Rights Is The Foundation of Genocide Recognition: By Seto Boyadjian, Esq. 15) We're All Immigrants: By Garen Yegparian 16) System Of A Down Press for Armenian Genocide Recognition During Three-Day Washington, DC Advocacy Tour 1) ANCA Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Remembrance Draws 40 Members of Congress --Record Audience on Hand as System Of A Down is Recognized for Ground-breaking Genocide Recognition Efforts WASHINGTON, DC--Forty members of the US Senate and House of Representatives joined with over 500 Armenian Americans from across the country last week, at the Armenian National Committee of America's (ANCA) annual observance of the Armenian genocide, in a powerful display of bipartisan support for American recognition of the Armenian genocide. "Armenian Americans join with Armenians around the world in expressing our appreciation to each of our Congressional friends who took part in this solemn remembrance of the Armenian genocide," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We join with them in recommitting ourselves to ending the denial of this crime--first in America and then in Turkey--and, ultimately to ending the longstanding denial of justice to the Armenian nation." In addition to the strong Congressional turnout, the program featured the diplomatic representatives of Armenia and Karabagh, Armenian Church leaders, leading figures in the Washington, DC foreign policy community, and a broad range of ethnic and human rights activists. Broad Bipartisan Participation Marks 12th Annual Capitol Hill Observance of Armenian Genocide The two-hour Capitol Hill Observance of the Armenian genocide featured the participation of a diverse group of Congressional leaders from across the country. New Jersey Senators Frank Lautenberg (D) and Robert Menendez (D) joined perennial attendee, Maryland Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) in marking the occasion with moving speeches commending Armenian American activism on this key human rights concern. Among the members of the Congressional leadership taking part in the program were House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-CA) and Mike Pence, Chairman of the powerful Republican Study Committee. Chief Deputy Majority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA) met with a group of over 25 Richmond ANC members during the day, but could not attend the observance. Also taking part were John Larson, Vice-Chairman of the Democratic Caucus, and Joe Crowley (D-NY), the Chief Deputy Minority Whip. Featured prominently in the program were the authors of Armenian genocide legislation--George Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA). The Armenian Caucus was represented by Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who founded the 158-member body more than a decade ago. Carolyn Maloney, the Co-Chairwoman of the Hellenic Caucus was on hand as well and offered powerful words of remembrance. Members of the International Relations Committee who participated in the observance were Eliot Engel (D-NY), Darrell Issa (R-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Brad Sherman, and Diane Watson (D-CA). Representative Ben Cardin, who serves as the Ranking Member on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the US Helsinki Commission), also took part. Members of the Foreign Operations Subcommittee, the panel that writes the foreign aid bill, that took part were Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY), Mark Kirk (R-IL), John Sweeney (R-NY), and Steve Rothman (D-NJ). Additional participants included Representatives Howard Coble (R-NC), Jim Costa (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Rush Holt (D-NJ), Mike Honda (D-CA), Sue Kelly (R-NY) , James Langevin (D-RI), Dan Lipinski (D-IL), Edward Markey (D-MA), James McGovern (D-MA), James Moran (D-VA), Joe Schwarz (R-MI), Mark Souder (R-IN), John Tierney (D-MA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Zach Wamp (R-TN), and Curt Weldon (R-PA). Attendees also included several key Armenian American officials including John Jamian, the Department of Transportation's Action Maritime Administrator, Joe Bogosian, the Federation Aviation Administration's Assistant Administrator for International Aviation; and Rolling Hills Estates, CA Councilman Frank Zerunyan; as well as Alecko Eskandarian, the star forward for the DC United soccer team, and David Alpay, the star of Atom Egoyan's film "Ararat." System Of A Down Receives ANCA 'Voice of Justice' Award Among the most moving elements of the program was the presentation of the ANCA's 'Voice of Justice' Award to Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan of the Grammy Award-winning band System Of A Down. Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan, took part in the observance on the final evening of their three-day advocacy tour of Washington, DC. They also participated in an April 24 rally outside the Turkish Embassy, the April 25 Capitol Hill screening of excerpts from Carla Garapedian's powerful new film "Screamers," and a series of Congressional meetings and media interviews. In accepting the award on behalf of System Of A Down, drummer John Dolmayan noted that, "This is a very personal cause for us. We are honored to be here to represent Armenians and also United States citizens. We consider ourselves very fortunate to bring this cause forward to people who may not necessarily have had a chance to understand or learn anything about the Armenian genocide. We also feel it's important to bring up issues that are taking place right now, such as the Darfur genocide. As Armenians, I would like to challenge you to do what you can to help these poor people that are suffering the way we did almost a hundred years ago." Armenian Ambassador; MKR Representative; Clergy Join Armenian American leaders in Urging World Recognition of Armenian Genocide Master of Ceremonies, Glendale, California City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian, opened the observance by inviting His Eminence Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Armenian Apostolic Church of the Eastern US, to offer a prayer and opening remarks. The Archbishop noted that, "We gather today with survivors and members of Congress to remember the truth, because increasingly truth is being violated by falsehood. To this day the Genocide of the Armenians is denied not only by the perpetrators, but also by our own government here in Washington. The same government in whose archives are thousands upon thousands of documents that attest to the annihilation of the Armenians. The denial of our government is the most difficult for us to comprehend and fills our hearts with grief because denial is another assault, another genocide. The words of Martin Luther King, Jr. resonate in our souls--'In the end we will remember not the word of our enemies, but the silence of our friends.'" Kassakhian then introduced each of the twenty-eight members of Congress who offered remarks, as well as honored speakers, including Armenia's Ambassador to the United States Tatoul Markarian, Mountainous Karabagh Republic (MKR) Representative in the US Vardan Barseghian, and ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian. He also introduced ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian, who made the 'Voice of Justice' award presentation to System Of A Down. In his remarks, Ambassador Markarian stressed that, "Recognition of the Armenian genocide cannot be negotiated away, delayed, or conveniently forgotten. . . . The recognition of the Armenian genocide remains, and will remain, on our foreign policy agenda. We will advance it vigorously and with a conviction that this will also help to normalize Turkish-Armenian relations, and bring more security and stability to our region. We will continue to work with our friends and partners towards this goal in Europe, and in particular in the United States." Vardan Barseghian, on behalf of the government of the Mountainous Karabagh Republic, vowed to "educate the world about what happened to us. We will rally support and we will seek justice, until the perpetrators and deniers are condemned and held responsible. And most importantly we will do everything in our power to insure that similar tragedies do not befall Armenians or any other nation." He added that, "Turkey's irresponsible denial of genocidal facts paves way to new atrocities and crimes against humanity." ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, in his remarks, urged the Armenian American community to greater levels of activism, specifically asking all in attendance to insist that the Administration demand that Turkey acknowledge its responsibility for the Armenian genocide, fully repent, and restore to the Armenian nation the fruits of its crime. In his closing remarks, Kassakhian reminded those in attendance that, "Today, in these very halls of Congress, our friends have spoken loud and clear. They have said in one voice, that there will be no silence until there is justice. They have told their colleagues by being here today--in front of us--that we will never forget and their will never be silence until there is justice." Excerpts of Congressional Speeches offered at the annual Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance follow: Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD): "I come every year because I think that the issue you place on the national and international agenda is of great importance... If there should be any question raised about the occurrence of this genocide, it is beyond my understanding... If other nations can speak the truth then our nation must speak the truth on this issue... The Senate [Armenian genocide] resolution has my strongest support." Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ): "There are those who argue that Turkey is an ally, and maybe it is. But, at the end of the day, even an ally should permit us to have our own policy to recognize what history says happened?that 1.5 million Armenians perished. That should be the reality we take as a position for the country. When Hitler asked "who remembers the Armenians?" I answer that we remember the Armenians, the next generation of the Armenians, and all of us who believe in human rights. And this country remembers the Armenians, and that is why we are here today." Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ): "We have to remember that genocide was originally discovered in those years [1915-1923]... and make sure to support legislation to recognize the Genocide, making sure that it is known as an Armenian event and do everything we can to get it passed." Representative David Dreier (R-CA): "We are strongly committed to doing everything we can to making sure there is clear recognition of the Armenian genocide--and that is exactly what I've said to two Turkish Prime Ministers." Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ): "It is so important for you to be here and to show up. The only way a message is going to be sent is if more and more people come out and show up... The effort to deny the Genocide continues and that's why it's so important to be out there in large numbers to counter their actions." Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA): "I long for the day when we not only come to commemorate the Genocide, but to celebrate the passage of Genocide resolutions... Let's not let any of our Armenian parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles down... let's recognize the Armenian genocide now!" Representative George Radanovich (R-CA): "It's particularly exasperating this year--we have a bill out of committee ready to go to the floor, yet we are finding it difficult to move it further and I think after 12 years I wonder and I tire but I know you have been waiting 91 years and it gives me hope we will soon be recognizing the Genocide. Keep working and have faith and America will recognize it." Representative John Sweeney (R-NY): "Without a full acceptance, we have denial, and with denial we perpetuate terrible episodes in history, threatening humanity and mankind, and impede on the march of freedom and liberty. I don't intend on allowing that to happen! I pledge and vow to you as one of your own to keep the fight up and keep on working hard." Representative Rush Holt (D-NJ): "The truth has curative power and reconciliation powers and we thank you for that effort of getting the truth out." Representative Mark Kirk (R-IL): "When we learn the lesson of the Armenian genocide, we say 'never again,' which is very easy to say in a speech in Washington. But I've been there [as a US soldier serving in Bosnia] when we've meant 'never again,' where we took action as the only superpower on the planet to stop a crime. So now when we look at what's happening today, we have a powerful moral lesson that we have learned from the people of Armeniathe one that we have to carry into the classrooms and television sets." Representative James Langevin (D-RI): "If we do not recognize the Armenian genocide it will happen again and again and again." Representative John Larson (D-CT): "I'm often amazed at the ceremonies and annual pilgrimages people make on behalf of their beliefs and their cause. And for those that seek to remember or understand Armenia all you have to do is look around this room it's written on your faces, it's carried in your hearts." Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-NY): "It is time for the American government to officially recognize what happened 91 years ago and join the other countries of the world with official recognition... We must always stand up and speak the truth to counter any denial." Representative Barney Frank (D-MA): "It is extraordinary given what the Armenian people were subjected to, given the fight that still goes on, given the unfair obstacles still put in the way of Armenia, given the importance of reminding the world of this genocide, that you have compassion, wisdom, and commitment to universal values that lead you to your efforts for stopping the atrocities taking place in Darfur." Representative Dan Lipinski (D-IL): "If you look at all the members who have spoken here and those who are still waiting to speak this is a very unique situation. On any other day these Members may have nothing in common, but this is what happens when you come together for truth... You have done a great job in bringing this to everyone's attention in this country and I commend you and urge you to keep it up." Representative Edward Markey (D-MA): "It's time for President Bush to adhere to his campaign promise and tear down that wall of denial and recognize and honor the Armenian genocide." Representative Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI): "We must pierce the myth of this indispensable relationship [between the US and Turkey]... No relations can be built upon a lie... If we are going to have friends and allies in the world that the United states can depend on, there must be honesty both within our relationship and in the United States itself." Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ): "What is going on now--because your movement is getting stronger, your voices are getting louder, your issues are being heard--there is a disinformation, it's always been there but now it's more organized... So now we have to keep the pressure on keep the fight on. Genocide anywhere is wrong." Representative Steve Rothman (D-NJ): "What is the harm in denying the truth? Is there any harm in denying the truth? As human beings we know that this does cause a physical destruction to the body when one denies the truth. Just as I believe that applies to individuals, I believe that it applies to countries and humanity. And so when the world denied the Armenian genocide and continues to deny it, not only did that lead to the Holocaust but it has contributed to the atmosphere in which the world has witnessed the deaths of 400,000 in Darfur. You notice that there are some similarities in the way the Ottoman Empire persecuted the Armenian population and what is going on in Darfur? The forced exile, the systematic deprivation of food and water, and murder through starvation... Denying the truth about genocide is really a second killing, a double genocide. We as Americans cannot stand by when the truth continues to be denied." Representative Sue Kelly (R-NY): "It makes no sense that we cannot officially recognize the Genocide, acknowledge it, ask for an apology and go beyond the issue, allowing the whole region to move together. This cannot happen unless there is an apology!" Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA): "When will Turkey be part of the modern world if it does not recognize the past? Where would Germany be if it denied the Holocaust? Where would America be if we said slavery didn't exist and the native America tribes just drifted away peacefully. Every country needs to recognizes its past in order to move forward to the future. And that is why I have co-sponsored every resolution in the last ten years in the House of Representatives to recognize the first genocide of the last century. But we have seen it again and again. Our International Relations committee passes the resolution--we reformulate the resolution and get it through the Judiciary committee instead. We move that bill through that Committee and then the House leadership won't let it come up to a vote. It's time to raise our voices to even higher levels and say its time for this to come up for a vote. Why is the Congress hiding from its responsibilities?" Representative John Tierney (D-MA): " All of you do us a great service in reminding us the issues that are important to the Armenian community and for us to attend to those issues. Truth about what happened 91 years ago and the fairness of the issues for which you fight are things we need to continually remember. The truth is that it was 'genocide.' We have to end man's inhumanity to man, and we can only do that by acknowledging what has happened in the past, and swearing that we should never remain silent as it happens now in Darfur." Representative Mark Souder (R-IN): "I commend you for your efforts to keep this alive and I hope you get a hard vote." Representative Chris Van Hollen (D-MD): "The lesson of the Armenian genocide is that evil things are not just done by the bad people who perpetuate the crimes, but in a way are allowed to happen by the good people who are not taking the necessary action. The failure of the United States Congress to pass an Armenian Genocide Resolution sends exactly the wrong signal to people around the world about accountability. We have to send the signal that we are going to hold people accountable and the failure to do that has been a stain on the conscious of Congress and the United States." Representative Curt Weldon (R-PA): "I understand it is a responsibility of mine in Congress to stand for your people and for the plight of your nation... I told the President of Azerbaijan that we wanted to be friends with Azerbaijan but that we will not do it at the expense of Armenia and the Armenian community. We want the dignity of Armenia to shine strong in the Caspian region. You have our support and bipartisan support by members of Congress to make sure we never forget the terrible atrocities that occurred 91 years ago and that we never forget the plight of the Armenian people." Representative Mike Honda (D-CA): "A country is only as great as its ability to recognize its past, recognize its mistakes, apologize and move on. The diaspora isn't looking for blood and vengeance, I believe you are looking for reconciliation and recognition so that we can all move forward in this world to insure that future acts of genocide shall cease." Representative Joe Schwarz (R-MI): "I am a student of history and have been interested in Armenian history for many years. One of the goals for Congress and for American foreign policy should be a strong and independent Armenia within the community of the Transcaucasus. We should not let the Azeris, the Georgians, the Russians, the Turks impinge on the bright and prosperous future of Armenia... The United States must recognize the Armenian genocide so that we can get on with the healing." Representative Diane Watson (D-CA): "I come to support you and join with my colleagues in saying that California already has a resolution supporting the Genocide of the Armenians, so we are already ahead of the game. And we want it to spread across this nation, all 50 states, that they then will correct the people out there that would like to deny. Let them know that history speaks for itself, and that the genocide is real... We are going to try to convince our colleagues, regardless of the Turkish influence that appears in these halls, and win out in the end." 2) Prominent Leaders Mobilize in Support of the Armenian Cause --Major Guests to Join ANCA Telethon Broadcast WASHINGTON, DC--Prominent leaders are joining forces with the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) to mobilize the widespread support for the Armenian Cause. Supporters are coming together for the ANCA Telethon on May 21, sharing the belief that it is time to push the community's advocacy efforts to a new level. Scheduled to appear during the Telethon are an unprecedented number of public officials from city and state governments. Also appearing will be members of Congress from across the country in addition to leaders from the Republic of Armenia. Representatives of ANCA chapters around the nation will show the results of their grassroots advocacy during the broadcast with in-depth documentaries about the many different areas of activities surrounding Armenian issues in every community. "During the six-hour Telethon broadcast, our aim is to give viewers a complete picture and understanding of the amazing strides and progress we are making for the Armenian Cause thanks to our grassroots supporters," said Zanku Armenian, spokesperson for the ANCA Telethon. "However, this Telethon will also make it abundantly clear to viewers that the time to invest the necessary financial resources is now so that we may expand our work and meet the challenges facing our cause from a position of strength and power." The goal of the telethon is to raise financial resources that will be used to broaden many of the ANCA's successful programs. Funding would go toward initiatives such as working with school systems to institute Genocide education in curriculums; media relations and outreach initiatives; government relations on the city, state, and federal levels; and professional development and training programs for university students to assist them with careers in areas important to the community and Armenian issues. The Telethon will demonstrate the broad base of institutional support for the Armenian Cause that the ANCA has developed over the years with government leaders on all levels, the media, other American civic organizations, and the community at large. Many representatives from all of these areas will be making appearances during the Telethon to show their support for the community and Armenian issues and to emphasize how important it is continue developing and nurturing the relationships that will continue to drive the tremendous progress on Armenian issues. To make a donation in advance of the May 21 ANCA Telethon or for more information, please call (866) 402-2622 (ANCA) or go to and click on the Telethon logo to make a donation online. 3) Government Approves Aid to Plane Crash Victims' Families YEREVAN (Combined Sources)--Armenia's Government allocated Thursday 129 million drams ($290,000) in financial assistance to the families of all Armenian nationals killed in Wednesday's plane crash in southern Russia. Minister for Local Government Hovik Abrahamian said the money will fully cover the cost of the transportation of the victims' bodies to Armenia and the funeral expenses of their bereaved relatives. A plane carrying 26 bodies arrived at the airport in Yerevan on Friday after an initial delay, apparently due to a lack of coffins. Abrahamian said each of the 85 families will receive 1.5 million drams ($3,400) in cash from the state in addition to $20,000 compensations promised by Armavia Airlines, operators of the ill-fated flight. "Also, some businessmen wanted the government to open a special bank account so that they can provide financial assistance to the families of the dead," he told reporters. "We accepted the proposal." The account (90 00 13 01 70 26) was opened Friday in the treasury of the Armenian Finance and Economy Ministry. Abrahamian also said that families of the more than 20 ethnic Armenian victims that had Russian passports will get similar assistance from the Russian Government. Meanwhile, grieving relatives in Russia cast flowers into the Black Sea on Friday at the spot where the jet plunged into the waters. Nearby, dozens of vessels and helicopters continued efforts to recover from the sea the black box flight recorders that might help establish why the plane crashed. A signal from one of the black was detected at a depth of 680 meters where the rescuers found a great number of debris of the plane. Until the black boxes are found, investigators are blaming the crash on bad weather. Russia, whose investigators are being helped by experts from France, is seeking assistance from other foreign countries to raise the black boxes since its Black Sea fleet is not fully equipped for the task. A bathyscaphe submersible vehicle would have to be sent down to the site to ascertain whether the signals that have been picked up are really coming from a section of the plane. On board the plane were 85 Armenian citizens, 26 Russians, one Georgian and one Ukrainian, according to a list published at Yerevan airport. Six children are thought to be among the 113 killed in the crash. The plane disappeared from radar screens at 2:15 AM on Wednesday (2215 GMT Tuesday) as it attempted a second landing at Adler airport near Sochi, Armenian and Russian officials said. The pilot had begun returning to Yerevan after aborting a first landing attempt, but wheeled round again after being informed that heavy rains had cleared. 4) Turks Lobby against French Bill Prohibiting Genocide Denial (Combined Sources)--Several Turkish organizations published an open letter in French newspapers Friday calling on Parliament not to back a bill that would make it a punishable offense to deny "the existence of the 1915 Armenian genocide." Proposed by members of the opposition Socialist Party (PS), the bill will first be read before Parliament on May 18. If approved, it would authorize a maximum five years in prison and a fine of 45,000 Euros for anyone who denies the Armenians genocide. The same punishment already applies to those who deny that the Holocaust took place. "If it were to be adopted, such a law would forbid any ulterior debate among historians wanting to shed light on the responsibilities of the parties to these tragic events," the Turkish organizations--including unions and business groups--said in their letter. The bill follows a 2001 French law which officially recognized the Genocide. According to the new bill's sponsor PS Deputy Didier Migaud, the original law was insufficient because it did not include any way of punishing deniers. Meanwhile in Turkey, a Turkish civil group began a boycott of French products and services in an attempt to hurt the French economy and lead to rejection of the bill. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Namik Tan said that approval of the bill would cause irreversible damage to Turkish-French ties. Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc sent a letter to his French counterpart on Monday telling him that judging history should be left to historians, not Parliaments. Arinc said that the French bill stifles freedom of expression and freedom of thought. 5) ANCA-WR Takes Part in California Democratic Party Convention SACRAMENTO--Representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region (ANCA-WR) joined officials, delegates, and activists from across California to take part in the California Democratic Party Convention in Sacramento, California April 28-30. ANCA-WR Staff Haig Hovsepian and Lerna Kayserian, along with ANCA Glendale Chapter Executive Director Alina Azizian, and Armenian Youth Federation Central Executive Member Saro Shirinian, met with numerous candidates and government officials who visited the ANCA-WR exhibitor table there. Visitors included State Treasurer Phil Angelides and State Controller Steve Westley, who are both pursuing the Democratic Party candidacy for California Governor. Westley expressed his gratitude to the ANCA-WR for its activities and pledged his commitment to working with the Armenian American community in the future. Treasurer Angelides, who received the 2003 ANCA-WR "California Public Official of the Year" award, has been a champion for human rights and Genocide issues for years. In 1997, he questioned the California Public Employees Retirement System about its investments in the Republic of Turkey, citing the country's gross human rights abuses and military dominance in the region. In October 2000, he wrote to President Bill Clinton imploring the president to properly acknowledge the Armenian genocide. California State Senator Jackie Speier also stopped-by at the ANCA-WR table. A longtime advocate of issues important to Armenian Americans, Senator Speier recently co-authored, along with Senator Chuck Poochigian (R-Fresno), SB1524, legislation that would grant Armenian genocide victims and their descendants access to California Courts to recover bank deposits and looted possessions from commercial entities that have wrongfully withheld them since the Genocide. The Senators had a few years back authored similar legislation that gave authority to recover Genocide era life insurance proceeds in California Courts. Another victory was the 2005 Senate bill permanently designating April 24 the "California Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide." Senator Speier is a candidate for California Lieutenant Governor, and recently served as Mistress of Ceremonies during April 24 commemorations at the Montebello Martyr's monument. Other officials and candidates visiting the ANCA-WR table included California Assembly candidates James Bufford, candidate for the 25th California Assembly District, Paul Lucas, candidate for the 68th Assembly District, and Roxana Folescu, candidate for the 74th Assembly District. Each received the endorsement of the convention along with Anthony Portantino, who is running for the 44th Assembly District seat, and Geraldine Guzman, candidate for the 58th Assembly District. Portantino, a seven year city councilmember and two-time mayor of La Canada-Flintridge, has worked alongside ANCA-WR on numerous occasions and is endorsed by the ANC-Political Action Committee (ANC-PAC). Montebello City Treasurer Guzman, was honored by the ANCA San Gabriel Valley Chapter in 2004 for her public service. While most officials briefly visited to express their support and gratitude for the ANCA, others stopped by to discuss pressing issues. Assemblymember Jerome Horton, who delivered a stirring address at this year's commemoration at the Montebello Armenian Martyr's Monument, spoke at length with Azizian and thanked the ANCA for its continued support. Horton is a candidate for the California State Board of Equalization. He also commended the ANCA for its tireless pursuit of justice for the Armenian genocide and efforts to confront the ongoing genocide in Darfur. These sentiments were echoed by Assemblymember Paul Koretz, who expressed his appreciation for ANCA community activists on this issue. "Each year, the ANCA welcomes this opportunity to ensure our issues are appropriately included in the general conscious of the party," said Haig Hovsepian. "It was a pleasure connecting with so many Californian officials and activists, and we look to expand these relationships in the coming months." The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. 6) Armenian President Awards German Author YEREVAN (Yerkir)--President Robert Kocharian presented a prize Friday to German author Edgar Hilsenrat for his significant contribution to the process of Armenian genocide recognition. The prize, awarded by a presidential decree on April 15, is for Hilsenrat's novel "The Tale of the Last Thought." 7) ANCA Helps Raise Awareness on Southland Campuses LOS ANGELES--In various student-organized events commemorating the Armenian genocide, the ANCA joined southland Armenian Student Associations (ASA) to provide historical background on the issue and brief students about ongoing efforts of Armenian genocide recognition, the importance of activism, as well as Turkey's ongoing campaign of denial. California State University, Northridge On Thursday, April 22, ANC Professional Network Executive Committee member Boghos Patatian, spoke at the annual candlelight vigil organized by the California State University, Northridge ASA. His message highlighted the duty of the college youth in seizing every opportunity to advance the Armenian community and the community-at-large. "This tremendous collection of young people should be commended for their achievements. It is both overwhelming and satisfying that these youth are not indifferent to the Armenian Cause. It is an honor to those who were denied an education because they perished during the Genocide, and the ANCA is proud to be able to help facilitate this through its direction and resources," noted Patatian. "I appreciated his emphasis that April 24 is not just one day, but that the Armenian Cause must be pursued every day of the year," remarked Terenig Topjian about Patatian's address. Topjian, an officer and event organizer with the CSUN ASA, explained that when fellow students approach him asking about the Genocide, his confidence in the impact and importance of such events is simply reaffirmed. He pointed out that the event received coverage by both the CSUN daily newspaper the "Sundial," and local television network KTLA. All Armenian Student Association ANCA Western Region board member Raffi Hamparian, delivered the keynote address at the annual All-Armenian Student Association commemoration on April 22. Organized by over a dozen ASAs throughout southern California colleges, the event, with the theme "A Call to Action," was the subject of a lengthy article in Monday's edition of the UCLA Daily Bruin student newspaper. University of Southern California In addition to many community-wide events on April 24, the ANCA also joined the University of Southern California (USC) for its annual campus commemoration at Tommy Trojan, which featured ANCA Western Region board chairman Steve Dadaian. "Mr. Dadaian highlighted the Republic of Turkey's continued campaign of denial that not only targets our government, but our campuses as well," noted USC ASA officer Ruzan Antossyan, who was the day's emcee. The USC event featured exhibits covering the history of the Genocide as well as ANCA prepared petitions to key members of US House of Representative calling on a vote on pending Armenian genocide legislation. "We reached out to a broad campus audience." Fellow USC ASA officer Mercedes Aline Arslanian enthusiastically said that nearly 300 petitions were signed. "When I see people genuinely interested in the program, and expressing increased interest about the Genocide and what they can do, I know we are succeeding." University of California Irvine ANC Orange County member Ara Malazian delivered the keynote address at the University of California Irvine (UCI) ASA's annual candlelight vigil that featured Genocide survivor Yeghsapet Garabedian, and drew numerous non-Armenian students. Malazian highlighted the importance of keeping the issue of justice for the Armenian genocide at the forefront of the community's thoughts and actions. Though the event was disrupted by a few Turkish students shouting vulgar comments and waving the Turkish flag, campus police readily maintained order. "It means we are making a difference and raising awareness when they have to stoop to such levels," said UCI ASA Vice President Sarkis Abajian. Pointing to Malazian's address that emphasized Turkey's failure in attempting to destroy Armenians, Abajian said, "Sometimes we lose sight of the fact that we did survive and now thrive." And as a result, he explained that Armenians have made progress in pursuing justice for the Armenian genocide. "There was more discussion and awareness about the Genocide on campus this year. There were a lot of non-Armenian students who participated in the vigil. We are pushing forward." Not confined to college campuses, the ANCA also participated in a number of commemorations at local high schools and youth organizations including Grant HS, Calabasas HS, Ferrahian HS, and at the Homenetmen Glendale "Ararat" chapter's assembly. 8) Families of Migrant Workers Stunned by Sudden Loss YEREVAN (RFE/RL)--Sochi may be known as Russia's most popular seaside resort, but most of the mainly Armenian passengers of the fatal flight to the Black Sea city were far from holiday travelers. At least 80 of them were citizens of Armenia. Some were well-to-do individuals that used to hold senior government positions and planned to enjoy themselves at Sochi's beaches and hotels. But the vast majority of others were economic migrants that work in Russia on a seasonal or permanent basis. Much of the large-scale labor migration from Armenia to Russia has a seasonal character and usually takes places in the spring. Mesrop Piliposian, a 24 year old resident of the southern town of Armavir, was due to make a journey familiar to tens of thousands of unemployed Armenians for the first time in his life. His elder brother already worked in southern Russia and promised to find him a job there. His family hoped that he will get married soon. All they want now is to find his body and bring it home. Piliposian's brother and uncle, also in Sochi, began late Wednesday the grim task of trying to identify his body, but have not been successful so far. "Losing him is such a huge pain," the young man's sobbing aunt said as she stood outside his ramshackle Armavir house with several friends and relatives. Hamlet Abgarian, another Armavir resident, traveled to Russia for the same reason. "He hoped to earn some money and come back," said Khoren, a friend of the 36 year old father of two. "He had some friends there. They invited him." Abgarian boarded the Armavia plane bound for Sochi with his 21-year-old neighbor, Vram. The latter had just finished his military service and could not find a job in Armavir. "Vram had one goal: to earn some money and create his own family," said one of his relatives. "It's very hard to do that here." The tragic fate of these and other victims of the plane crash is unlikely to keep other people from various parts of Armenia from traveling to Russia for seasonal or permanent work. Dozens of such people, most of them residents of a village in northwestern Armenia, waited for a delayed Armavia flight to Moscow at Yerevan's Zvartnots on Thursday. Many admitted fearing for their lives after Wednesday's crash but said they have no other choice. We are leaving with fear in our hearts," said one middle-aged man. "But we have to go." "Whether or not you are scared, you have to support your family," argued one of his companions. Another group of men, from Armenia's second largest city of Gyumri, were traveling to Moscow en route to the remote eastern Siberian region of Yakutia. "My mother, father and wife were begging me to stay at home," said one of them. "But how can I support them live if I stay here?" 9) Prelate Expresses Condolences for Lives Lost in Armavia Plane Crash His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, expressed his condolences with heartfelt sympathy to Gagik Giragossian, Consul General of Armenia, for the lives lost in the tragic plane crash of Wednesday's Armavia Airlines flight on its way to Sochi, Russia. On behalf of the Prelacy Religious and Executive Councils, the Prelate also sent a letter of condolence to President Robert Kocharian, and announced that special requiem services would take place in all Prelacy churches on Sunday, May 7. At noon on Friday, special requiem services were conducted at St. Mary's Church in Glendale for the souls of the victims of the plane crash. Representing the Prelate, Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian delivered a message to the faithful and urged them to have a moment of silence at 2:15 PM, the time of the crash, to remember the victims. Following the service, Rev. Razmig Khatchadourian and Peklar Pilavjian, representing the Religious and Executive Councils of our Prelacy respectively, visited the Armenian Consulate and personally expressed condolences on behalf of the Prelacy to the Consul General and the Consulate staff. 10) AYF Offers Condolences to Friends And Family of Crash Victims The Armenian Youth Federation was saddened to hear about the tragic crash of Armavia Airlines. The loss of our brothers and sisters weighs heavily on all our hearts. The members of the AYF Western Region express their condolences to the family and friends of all those who perished in the May 3, 2006 Armavia Airline tragedy. --Armenian Youth Federation - Western Region, Central Executive 11) Schiff Names Seta Simonian 'Woman of the Year' for California's 29th District WASHINGTON, DC--Congressman Adam Schiff named Seta Simonian "Woman of the Year" for California's 29th District at a luncheon on Tuesday, March 21, 2006. Each year, in honor of Women's History Month, Congressman Schiff pays special tribute to the contributions made by outstanding women in our community. "There are few professions more deserving of recognition than that of teacher, and it is a real pleasure to honor Seta for her years of service in Glendale," said Schiff. "She has inspired so many, especially with her devotion to art and music and to promoting and preserving the treasures and the beauty of Armenian culture and heritage." Simonian was born in Aleppo, Syria and at age 11 moved to Beirut, Lebanon. After graduating from the American University of Beirut at the age of 22, she married Hratch Simonian. The Simonians lived and worked in Saudi Arabia for 8 years, then moved to California in 1985. Since 1987, Seta, her husband, and their 2 children, Karin and Sebouh, have resided in Glendale. Soon after moving to California, Simonian cofounded and chaired the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society of Pasadena. She is a current member of Arvest and Artee Cultural Groups of Hamazkayin, and since 1994, has been the chair of the Hamazkayin Music Committee, which collaborates with artists in Armenia and releases authentic CDs and classical Armenian music. She is currently an assistant for the Hamazkayin Student Forum held in Armenia every summer. Simonian was also an anchor at Horizon Armenian TV in Glendale for 3 years. A cofounder of the Committee of Armenian Students in the Public Schools, she is also a member of the Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian Educational Foundation, Armenian International Women's Association, the National Education Association, and the California and Glendale Teachers' Associations. Simonian received her Bachelor's degree in Mathematics from the American University of Beirut, and a Master's in Education Administration from California State University Los Angeles. She has a teaching diploma, a bilingual teaching certificate, and has completed an Armenian Studies program. A wonderful role model for her students, Simonian has been a teacher for over 30 years and is currently teaching math at Wilson Middle School in Glendale. Congressman Schiff represents California's 29th Congressional District, which includes the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, East Pasadena, East San Gabriel, Glendale, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena and Temple City. 12) Chamlian Students Bring Home Awards LA CRESCENTA--Competing against nine other Armenian schools, Chamlian students won the first prize at the Ararat home Quiz Bowl on Armenian History on April 2, 2006. The Chamlian team, composed of Talar Alexanian, Sophia Keshishian, Talar Kossakian, and Daniel Akai, had been training for several weeks with teachers Arax Zarzavatjian and Ani Berberian. This is the fourth time that Chamlian is winning the first prize. "We are really proud of our students "said Teacher Arax Zarzavatjian. "They have worked very hard to bring the trophy home" she added. On the same day, another group of Chamlian students were busy competing with several other Armenian students in the Science Olympiad of AESA (Armenian Engineers and Scientists of America). The finals took place at the Grand Salon on the California State University, Northridge campus. The following Chamlian students won prizes for their work: Garen Arabian and John Azizian (first and third place, respectively, in Physics), Krikor Bornazyan (second place in Biology), and Dveen Babayan (second place in Engineering). 13) ATP Plants Trees in 75 Armenian Communities This Spring YEREVAN--Since the early 1990s, Armenia Tree Project (ATP) has been successfully collaborating with local communities and institutions to plant hundreds of thousands of trees through its Community Tree Planting (CTP) program. The CTP program begins by surveying prospective sites and communities wishing to receive trees. The program uses criteria such as the availability of irrigation water, soil quality, caretakers, and residents' enthusiasm for planting and growing trees. With this flagship program, ATP has collaborated with people at over 500 sites in Yerevan and every region throughout Armenia, including Artsakh. On a daily basis, three ATP monitors--Navasard Dadyan, Arthur Harutunyan, and Seyran Hovhannisyan--evaluate potential planting sites and visit sites that were planted in previous years to check growth rates and provide technical assistance. By the end of March, ATP selected 77 community sites that were eligible to receive seedlings, and had begun the process of helping residents plant nearly 25,000 new trees at schools, senior centers, orphanages, hospitals, kindergartens, and other non-profit institutions. To ensure a high survival rate at CTP sites, ATP publishes training material on tree planting and tree care. Prior to planting, ATP distributes this information to local residents and trains them on topics such as the proper depth for planting new seedlings, how often to irrigate seedlings, and how to monitor the growth of the trees. ATP also distributes hoses, shovels, and other supplies and equipment as needed. Sites in eight regions of Armenia--Armavir, Aragatsotn, Vayots Dzor, Shirak, Ararat, Kotayk, Syunik, and Lori--received fruit and decorative trees from ATP for village orchards, backyards, gardens, and common spaces. "In a few years, the people in these villages will be able to reap fruitful harvests and be in a position to receive great benefits from these trees," emphasized CTP Program Manager Anahit Gharibyan. Last year alone, ATP's trees in various communities had a harvest of over 250,000 pounds of apricots, apples, peaches, plums, and cherries. ATP's nurseries in the refugee villages of Karin and Khachpar produce all of the seedlings that are planted by the CTP program each year. Some of the neighborhoods in Yerevan that received trees include Malatia, Sebastia, Davitashen, Achapniak, and Zeytun Kanaker. ATP also planted trees at the State Medical University, European Regional Academy, and Genocide Memorial Park. The CTP program is planning to plant an additional 125,000 seedlings from one of ATP's other nurseries this spring. ATP was founded in 1994 with the vision of securing Armenia's future by protecting its environment and restoring its degraded forests. ATP advances Armenia's socio-economic development by mobilizing resources for large-scale reforestation, community-based tree planting, environmental education and advocacy, and rural development through job creation. ATP uses trees to improve the standard of living of Armenians, promoting self-sufficiency and aiding those with fewest resources first. Over the past 12 years, ATP has planted and rejuvenated over 750,000 trees. With the establishment of the new Mirak Family reforestation nursery in Margahovit and expansion of the backyard nursery program in the Getik River Valley, ATP's Rural and Mountainous Development (RMD) program is working toward the goal of planting over one million trees in 2006. For additional information about the RMD program and to support ATP, visit their website at <;www.armeniat ree.org. 14) Restitution of Armenian Rights Is The Foundation of Genocide Recognition By Seto Boyadjian, Esq. The Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has penned an article, "Turkey's Historic Journey," in "The World in 2006" annual issue of the English weekly magazine The Economist. Drumming up the significance of his country's membership in the European Union, Mr. Erdogan writes: "Since its foundation, the Republic of Turkey has always sought to become a constructive and responsible member of the international community, working to promote an environment of peace and prosperity." Reading this self-serving statement, we immediately resort to our routine reaction. How can the successor state to the empire that committed the first genocide of the twentieth century become a constructive and responsible member of the international community, when it has--ever since its foundation--constantly refused to acknowledge the act of genocide perpetrated by its predecessor against the Armenian people? How can Turkey have the audacity to claim that it has promoted world peace and prosperity, when it has steadfastly pursued a policy of denial against the Armenian genocide? These seemingly normal reactions are exclusively based on the recognition of the Armenian genocide. It has become commonplace for us to view the issues relating to Turkey from the prism of Genocide recognition. Based on this reasoning, we must emphasize the familiar fact that, at present our claims against Turkey are overwhelmingly based on the Genocide recognition. We have started developing a mindset that the act of Genocide acknowledgment constitutes the objective of our political work targeting Turkey. Needless to say, we should not underestimate the importance of Genocide acknowledgment and the works undertaken toward that end. Yet, at the same time, we cannot ignore the fact that our understanding of the Armenian Cause is not limited to the recognition of the Armenian genocide. The Armenian Cause has its comprehensive definition, wherein the fundamental objective is to obtain complete human, territorial, political, economic and legal restitution for the Armenian people. In this sense, restitution forms the foundational premise for the acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide. Perhaps there is a need to refresh our memory about the development of the work for our political cause. From the beginning the issue of territorial, material, and human restitution has been at the core of the definition of the Armenian Cause and its objective. At the time when Armenia was under Soviet totalitarian rule and the survivors of the genocide, scattered around the world, were occupied with the immediate organization of the diaspora communities, the work for the Armenian Cause fell on the political leadership of the diaspora. During this time, we had not yet achieved the level of popular participation in our political works. People had confined themselves to the commemorative ceremonies of the Genocide and had entrusted the political leadership with the task of pursuing our political claims. However, both the people and the leadership had no doubt that the objective of the Armenian Cause was to achieve territorial, material, and human restitution for the Armenian people. Based on this, for decades the Armenian political leadership pleaded international organizations and major powers through diplomatic relations and memorandums, demanding territorial, material, and human restitution for the Armenian people. In 1965, the Fiftieth Anniversary of the Armenian genocide marked the beginning of the popular claims for restitution. The Armenian people in Armenia and the diaspora not only commemorated the event together, but also appealed in unity to the world for the restoration of its usurped national and territorial rights. The objective of this demand was very clear. From the homeland to the most remote communities of the Diaspora, the Armenian people demanded their lands. For the Armenian people, recognition of the Armenian genocide could not possibly satisfy its claim for rights. The Armenian Cause could only be resolved justly with the complete reestablishment of the usurped rights of the Armenian people--with the return of the occupied Armenian homeland to its rightful owners. The popular struggle to regain our ancestral lands had its natural evolution. Demonstrative activities led to the politicization of the Armenian people. The awareness of conflicting interests became a part of popular political reasoning. In turn, this awareness expanded the quality and reach of our political work. We prepared with the expectation for an extended struggle, where we encountered an unperturbed Turkey and its supporting cast of major powers. Soon, walls of silence were erected against Armenian claims. To break down these walls, young Armenians were compelled to resort to our revolutionary traditions. They were able to open up cracks in the walls and make the voice of Armenian claims heard. After 1985, somewhere and somehow, the priority of our claim for territorial restitution was eclipsed. Instead, we began gradually to focus on the agenda of Genocide recognition. This development took place without fully examining or taking into account the negative consequences or ramification to our territorial demands. We can, of course, reason that the work for Genocide recognition also implies the restitution of territorial, material, and human rights for the Armenian people. Yet how much of this reasoning corresponds to the reality of our efforts for recognition? We have to clarify, emphasize, and publicize its suggested implication in order to register our and Turkey's awareness that complete restitution of Armenian territorial, material, and human rights constitutes the foundation of the Armenian genocide acknowledgment. Otherwise, if we leave the impression that genocide recognition is an end in itself, we will encounter two certain obstacles in the years ahead. The first concerns our new generation. By separating Genocide recognition from its restitutional foundation, our new generation will develop the conviction that the objective of the Armenian Cause will achieve finality through the acknowledgment of the Armenian genocide. Should Turkey accept its genocidal act and apologize to the Armenian people, it will be very difficult for us to reeducate and prepare our young generation for the next phase of struggle for restitution. The second involves Turkey and other concerned powers. In the political and legal world, a claim or a complaint is accepted and decided on by its contents and demands. When our claim lies solely in Genocide recognition, then our claim will be viewed in that context and the rendered decision will be limited to our demand for recognition only. Thus, in the case where Turkey recognizes and accepts the Armenian genocide, our subsequent claim for restitution will become untenable. Both Turkey and other concerned powers will deny our demands based on the reasoning that the issue of restitution was not part of the initial claim for recognition. We should not pretend to be naive. Not only Turkey, but also many countries that claim to be friendly to us, prefer to limit the Armenian Cause to the objective of Genocide recognition. After all, without the prospects of restitution, the acknowledgment of a criminal act is both harmless and uneventful. Paraphrasing the old adage, sticks and stones may break our bones, but words alone will not hurt. Thus, Genocide recognition without restitutional consequences is a toothless proposition that may be acceptable to Turkey and other concerned powers, and sooner rather than later become reality. In that event, we will face a political fait accompli, where we will be forced to start anew our struggle for restitution. So, if acknowledgment of genocide is not a self-serving objective, then we have to define and expound its foundational purpose and openly own and advocate that purpose. To do this, we have to ask ourselves: What objectives do the Armenian people intend to achieve through Genocide recognition? The answer is very short and simple: First, the objective of Armenian genocide recognition is the return of the occupied Armenian homeland by Turkey. Second, Genocide recognition is a means aimed at the reestablishment of justice and restitution of material and legal rights of the Armenian people. Third, through Genocide acknowledgment, truth will be established to heal the collective grief and dignity of the Armenian people. It has not been and will not be an easy task to pursue and achieve these foundational targets of the Armenian Cause. But, without the acceptance and inclusion of these targets, the act of Armenian genocide acknowledgment will be rendered aimless. It is very simple, for tactical concerns, for us to separate these targets from our efforts for Genocide recognition, but we can not turn it into a strategy by prolonging that separation over decades. 15) We're All Immigrants By Garen Yegparian Unless you're living in Africa and have for hundreds of millennia, you're an immigrant- that according to the current scientific understanding of where our species arose. Then we spread from that continent to others, a phenomenon now described by the words emigration and immigration. It seems that extremist elements in American society want to "put immigrants back in their place." How else do you explain the radical/ridiculous bills floating around both houses of Congress? It's just like trying to shove gays back in the closet. Both of these along with numerous other issues such as teaching evolution or gun ownership serve only to rive the body politic. They serve as so called "wedge issues" to "activate the base" of some political faction. Let's face it, human population shifts are a force of nature. You might as well try to stop a hurricane, earthquake, tsunami, or glacial motion. Think of the Huns, Turks, or Europeans as economic forces drove them to leave their native lands seeking hoped-for (not always fulfilled), greener pastures. Or, for that matter, consider our distant ancestors' departures from Africa. So the whole "Mexicans are coming" fear-mongering used by the likes of the (new) Minutemen (what an insult these scum are to the originals in Lexington and Concord) and some members of the House and Senate is really nothing but the vilest of pandering to the basest of human inclinations. Of course this foolishness is given a patina of respectability by cloaking it in the language of "respect for the law." Wasn't this addressed during the French Revolution or thereabouts? You know, the whole notion of the law, in its magnanimous majesty equally forbidding a pauper and rich man from sleeping under a bridge? To argue that a simple, possibly barely literate peasant, who needs to feed his family, must to jump through the hoops of American immigration procedure, to get a minimum wage job, is to argue that living in destitution is a good and acceptable thing. Where were these minutemen's law-loving ancestors when the natives of the Americas were slaughtered by the hundreds of thousands to allow those same ancestors to farm and fish those stolen lands and waters? Where were they when small-pox laden blankets were distributed in an early example of biological warfare? Where were they when the bison were driven to near extinction through slaughter, just to eliminate the food source of the Plains Indians as another means of Genocide? This whole issue ought not exist. It's plain ridiculous. But since it is being driven by the United States' ascendant reactionary forces, we're all stuck with it. So consider the effect this has on our Armenian community, at various levels, all quite insidious. When people's fear of "darkies" is activated, we suffer. When "immigrants" become a target, we take a hit. When "legality" is an issue, a significant chunk of our community is at risk. So many of us, just like Central Americans and others, are in the US not just to support themselves, but also families in the home country. Our "bantoukhd"-s of yore are back. This time, instead of saving the ancestral hearth, home, and farm from corrupt Turkish tax officials, it's to save Armenia from depopulation as a consequence of the neo-liberal economic policies being foisted on the developing world by Washington through the World Bank, IMF, and other agencies and policies. I see precious little difference between the motivations of these two people: the guy from the Mayan high country working in California's agricultural sector at poverty wages because his farming cannot compete with the mega-agribusiness concerns that sell corn at incredibly cheap, government subsidized, rates; the guy from Coomayree (Giumri) working in Los Angeles' jewelry district, off the books, again a at pathetically low pay rate. All I know is, on Tuesday, the day after the big immigrant marches, I had a conversation with a compatriot on the bus to work. He asked if I'd worked the day before, which I had. He'd thought everything in downtown LA was closed, it wasn't. The conversation went on. He asked about the proposed laws being discussed in Congress. When I pointed out that anything passed would apply to and impact us just as much as any Mexican, you should have seen the worried look that settled on his face. What our hateful, petty, and clueless electeds are advocating is, quite simply, making it a felony to work to feed yourself and your family. Why? Because somebody decided to draw a line on a map called a "border" that in today's world is meaningless. Air and water (polluted on one side) along with all kinds of goods travel across this border unhindered (think NAFTA). Only when it comes to human beings do our Washington vermin and their yahoo supporters want to act, arguing that "illegal" immigration costs the country hundreds of millions of dollars. Note: These are the same people who sit idly by as invasive species, along with pollution, moved around the world as a by-product of commerce, cause untold billions of dollars in economic damage. Invasive shellfish clog water supply lines in the Great Lakes. Water-hogging plants brought for ornamentation cause huge damage in arid parts of the country. Pythons in Florida spread unchecked. Hawaii's unique animals are endangered. These are non-issues, evidently, but decent people, following economic incentives are to be criminalized. I sure hope some of us participated in the immigrant demonstrations somewhere. It's outright shameful that we didn't do so intentionally, organizedly, and in large numbers. These massive expressions of popular sentiment and the attendant business closures and boycotts are also instructive. Those who argue that closing down businesses on April 24 is pointless should heed the lessons of the last few days. Unless they're oblivious, they cannot have missed the discussions of how immigrant economic prowess was manifested. Let's smarten up and engage. It's not too late. 16) System Of A Down Press for Armenian Genocide Recognition During Three-Day Washington, DC Advocacy Tour --Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan Meet Speaker Hastert; Visit with Members of Congress; Hold Media Interviews; Host Screening of New Genocide Documentary; and Join Rally at Turkish Embassy WASHINGTON, DC--Serj Tankian and John Dolmayan of the Grammy Award-winning band System Of A Down raised awareness, garnered national press attention on the Armenian genocide, and pressed legislators for action on legislation condemning this crime during their three-day advocacy tour of the nation's capital, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA). Among the highlights of the visit were the following: * An unscheduled meeting with Speaker Dennis Hastert, during which Serj reminded the Speaker about the band's past attempts to arrange a meeting to discuss the Armenian genocide, briefed him about their ongoing positive meetings with legislators, and pointed out that the fate of Armenian genocide legislation rested in the Speaker's hands. The Speaker noted that he hadn't looked at the band's letter yet, but promised to read it. * A series of strategy meetings with legislators on both the House and Senate sides of the Capitol. Among those they met with concerning the adoption of Armenian Genocide legislation were Chief Deputy Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA), Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO); Congressmen George Radanovich (R-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), the lead authors of Armenian Genocide legislation before the US House; Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ), the Co-Chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, and; Representatives Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) and Devin Nunes (R-CA). * The opportunity to meet dozens of legislators, including House Rules Committee Chairman David Dreier (R-CA), at the ANCA's annual Armenian Genocide observance on Capitol Hill on April 26. This remembrance, which drew 40 Senators and Representatives, featured the presentation of the ANCA's 'Voice of Justice' Award to System Of A Down. The band members were joined at this event by David Alpay, the star of Atom Egoyan's groundbreaking film on the Armenian genocide, "Ararat." * The first-ever screening, on April 25, of excerpts from "Screamers," a powerful and innovative new film by Carla Garapedian about the band's efforts to secure justice for the Armenian genocide. The film, which was enthusiastically received by the Capitol Hill audience, was followed by an extensive question and answer session. * A series of media interviews, including an April 25 hour-long on-air discussion about the Armenian genocide on DC-101's "Elliot in the Morning" show, Washington, DC's leading morning radio program. * Stories about their advocacy tour appeared in influential publications across Capitol Hill and around the country, including the Los Angeles Times and the Gannett News Service. Congressional Quarterly, the highly regarded weekly publication, ran a story quoting Serj Tankian stressing that, "for the government to still deny this historical truth is an absolute travesty." The Hill, an influential Congressional publication, quoted John Dolmayan as saying that he would continue his work until Congress recognizes the genocide: "Even a blade of grass can break through concrete, and I'd rather be the grass than the concrete." * Serj and John both took part in an April 24 anti-denial rally outside the Turkish Embassy organized by the ANCA and Armenian Youth Federation. Prominent among the more than 1,000 participants in the rally was Alecko Eskandarian, star forward of the DC United soccer team. Meeting with Speaker Hastert The unplanned meeting with the Speaker came on the heels of more than seven months of efforts by System Of A Down to schedule a meeting with him to discuss Congressional recognition of the Armenian genocide. Last September, Serj and John traveled personally to the Speaker's district office in Batavia, Illinois, along with hundreds of their fans, to deliver a letter requesting a meeting about allowing a vote on Armenian genocide legislation that had recently been overwhelmingly approved by the House International Relations Committee. Despite these repeated efforts over the course of more than half a year, the Speaker's office has not scheduled a meeting with SOAD, nor has he responded positively to a series of meeting requests from the leadership of the Armenian American community. During this time period, however, Foreign Agent Registration Act filings at the Justice Department reveal that the Speaker has met personally with senior Turkish officials and their lobbyist Bob Livingston, who is paid close to $2 million a year to oppose American reaffirmation of the Armenian genocide. Over 15,000 individual ANCA WebFaxes have been sent from across the United States urging the Speaker to allow a vote on the Armenian Genocide Resolution. System Of A Down The members of System Of A Down, Serj Tankian, Daron Malakian, John Dolmayan, and Shavo Odadjian, who are of Armenian descent, all personally lost family members and family history to the Armenian genocide. "Because so much of my family history was lost in the Armenian genocide," said Malakian, "my grandfather, who was very young at the time, doesn't know his true age. How many people can say they don't know how old they are?" Tankian, Dolmayan, and Odadjian all identify their grandparents' memories as the only links they have to their respective family heritages, as most of their families were obliterated during the Armenian genocide. Having won a Grammy Award this year, debuted two #1 Billboard albums in 2005, and having sold over 16 million records around the world, System Of A Down has a tremendous nationwide following and loyal fan base, who have heeded their call to action on social justice issues, including support of legislation recognizing the Armenian genocide. The band's efforts have gained national press attention in hundreds of articles appearing in the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Newsweek, MTV, BBC, VH1, ABC, FOX, WB, and Rolling Stone. All subscription inquiries and changes must be made through the proper carrier and not Asbarez Online. ASBAREZ ONLINE does not transmit address changes and subscription requests. (c) 2006 ASBAREZ ONLINE. All Rights Reserved. ASBAREZ provides this news service to ARMENIAN NEWS NETWORK members for academic research or personal use only and may not be reproduced in or through mass media outlets. From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress