Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
November 14, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CELEBRATES 35 YEARS OF ADVOCACY AT NATIONAL GALA IN
CALIFORNIA
Marks 30th Anniversary of Washington Intern Program
Beverly Hills, CA – With old friends and new, the Armenian Assembly of
America celebrated 35 years of Armenian-American advocacy and 30 years
of the Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program at the 2007
National Gala on November 3rd in Beverly Hills, California.
The Gala evening began with a warm welcome from National Gala
Co-Chairs Albert Cabraloff and Paul Kalemkiarian, who organized the
event with their wives, Co-Chairs Diane Cabraloff and Sandra
Kalemkiarian, along with an energetic planning committee.
Board of Trustees Treasurer Edele Hovnanian conveyed Board Chairman
Hirair Hovnanian’s appreciation to all those who have supported the
Assembly since its inception.
Hovnanian explained her father’s request that she address the Gala,
saying "he felt that it was only appropriate that his words be given
by one of the next generation of leaders."
While reflecting on the Assembly’s past and current accomplishments,
Hovnanian also looked to the future.
"In the face of a changing world that is moving ever faster…it takes
great confidence and courage for the leaders of any institution to
actively promote change and prepare for the future that lays ahead,"
Hovnanian said.
California State Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian (R-Stockton), who served
as master of ceremonies, presented the Assembly with a resolution
honoring the organization for its commitment to Armenians and Armenian
causes over the past three decades. The resolution, which was
spearheaded by Aghazarian, State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto)
and State Assembly Member Paul Krekorian (D-Burbank), was presented to
Edele Hovnanian on behalf of the organization.
The event also paid tribute to Armenian-Turkish editor and civil
rights advocate Hrant Dink, who was assassinated earlier this year by
a Turkish nationalist who labeled him a "traitor" for his public
statements on the Armenian Genocide. Board of Trustees President
Carolyn Mugar presented Dink’s widow Rakel with the Assembly’s
Distinguished Humanitarian Award, honoring the slain editor’s life and
work. The award was designed and gifted by California-based artist
Ani Kupelian.
Mrs. Dink, who traveled from Turkey to accept the honor, delivered a
passionate speech recalling her husband’s dedication to creating peace
and understanding between Turks and Armenians.
Board of Trustees Counselor Van Z. Krikorian, in his remarks,
expressed the privilege of having known Dink, calling him a "great
man," and someone who "gives us all reason to continue with what we
have to do."
In his capacity as Chairman of the Armenian Genocide Museum of America
Building and Operations Committee, Krikorian also noted recent
positive developments in the Museum planning project and credited
Committee Members Denise Darmanian, Edele Hovnanian, Richard Papalian
and Zaven Tachdjian who have "gone above and beyond the call of duty."
The Museum project was displayed during a powerful video presentation
which included designs of the future museum and featured the principal
planners sharing their vision with the public.
Among the dignitaries and special guests at the event were Chairman of
the Constitutional Court Gagik Harutyunyan, Consul General of the
Republic of Armenia Armen Liloyan, Massachusetts State Rep. Rachel
Kaprielian (D-Watertown), Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, Father Anton
Seradarian of St. Gregory Armenian Catholic Church, Reverend Joseph
Matossian of the Armenian Evangelical Union of North America and Very
Rev. Fr. Dajad Yardemian of the Western Diocese of the Armenian
Church.
Board of Trustees Public Affairs Chairman Anthony Barsamian and
Secretary Lisa Kalustian closed the program, after which guests
enjoyed an evening of music and dancing with entertainment provided by
Khatchig Jingirian and Ensemble.
The National Gala was a two-day event which also included an Assembly
breakfast briefing, a Major Donors Dinner and a mixer for Assembly
intern alumni and young professionals. The Assembly’s Board of
Trustees also held a meeting to review the organization’s current and
long-term initiatives.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
###
NR#2007-129
Editors Note: The full text of Mrs. Dink speech can be found at the
following links:
In English:
SS_RELEASES_2007/PDFs_for_releases/Rakel_Dink_Rema rks.pdf
In Armenian:
SS_RELEASES_2007/PDFs_for_releases/Rakel_Dink_Addr ess_-_Armenian.pdf
Link to AGMM video:
Photographs from the Assembly’s National Gala, November 2-3, 2007 can
be found on the Assembly’s Web site at the following links:
ges/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_ 1.jpg
1. Caption: Rakel Dink flanked by Anna and Hirair Hovnanian, Chairman
of the Board of Trustees, at the Armenian Assembly’s 35th
Anniversary Gala on November 3rd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
ges/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_ 2.jpg
2. Caption: Rakel Dink flanked by California State Assemblyman Greg
Aghazarian (R-Stockton) and Massachusetts State Representative
Rachel Kaprielian (D-Watertown).
ainc/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2 007-129_3.jpg
3. Caption: L to R: Longtime Assembly Supporters and National Gala
Committee Members Elizabeth Agbabian, Savey Tufenkian and Flora
Dunaians at the 35th Anniversary Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
ges/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_ 4.jpg
4. Caption: L to R: Assembly Fellow Trustee and Dink family friend
Antranik Zorayan with Rakel Dink at the Major Donors Dinner at
Mastro’s Steakhouse.
c/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007 -129_5.jpg
5. Caption: Led by Chairman Hirair Hovnanian, the Armenian Assembly
Board of Trustees convened on November 2 at the Beverly Hilton
Hotel to review operations in the Washington, Los Angeles and
Yerevan offices. L to R (top row): Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny with Board Members Richard Mushegain, Peter Vosbikian,
Anthony Barsamian, Van Krikorian, (bottom row) Lu Ann Ohanian, Lisa
Kalustian, Hirair Hovnanian, Carolyn Mugar and Edele Hovnanian.
/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007- 129-6b.jpg
6. Caption: In celebration of the 30th Anniversary Terjenian-Thomas
Assembly Internship Program, Intern Alumni came together for a
special reunion at Trader Vic’s Lounge in the Beverly Hilton
Hotel. L to R: Zohrab Ghanimian, Karoon Panosyan, Tania Sahakian,
Levon Kevorkian, Nareeneh Sohbatian, Joseph Piatt, Talene Hachigian
and Shant Norhadian.
/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007- 129_6.jpg
7. Caption: L to R: Gala Committee Member Savey Tufenkian, Sue
Garabedian, Annie Balikian, Board of Trustees President Carolyn
Mugar and Gala Committee Co-Chair Sandra Kalemkiarian at the
Breakfast Briefing on November 3rd.
s/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_7. jpg
8. Caption: L to R: Life Trustee Gail O’Reilly, Affiliate Member
Adrienne Krikorian, and Gala Committee Member Lily Ring Balian
enjoyed a wine presentation at The Wine Merchant before attending
the Major Donors Dinner.
ages/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129 _8.jpg
9. Caption: L to R: National Gala Co-Chair Sandra Kalemkiarian,
Associate Trustee Ralph Tufenkian, Kosti and Marian Shirvanian and
Mina and Hacop Shirvanian.
c/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007 -129_9.jpg
10. Caption: L to R: Gala Committee Member Sosy Hachigian, Gala
Committee Co-Chair Diane Cabraloff, Gala Committee Member Diane
Barsam-Keligian, Martin Felikian, Argine Kelegian and Gala
Committee Member Michelle Shrikian heading to the Major Donors
Dinner on November 2nd.
s/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_2007_November/2007-129_10 .jpg
11. Caption: L to R: Assembly Associate Trustee Ani and Raffi
Krikorian, Board of Trustees Treasurer Edele Hovnanian and
National Gala Co-Chair Albert Cabraloff.