PRESS RELEASE
Date: April 3, 2008
Armenian National Committee of America
Eastern Region
Contact: Karine Birazian
Tel: 917-428-1918
CONGRESS REMEMBERS A NEVER FORGOTTEN SURVIVOR OF THE ARMENIAN
GENOCIDE
–Paying tribute to Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian
Washington, DC- On March 31, 2008, Congressman Frank Pallone (D-
NJ-6) paid tribute on the House floor in memory of Armenian
Genocide survivor Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian who passed away on
February 27th, 2008, shortly after celebrating her 94th birthday.
Vassilian, who was present during the House Foreign Affairs
Committee markup of H. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution,
on October 10, 2007, lived in Cong. Pallone’s district, and was one
of the remaining survivors of the genocide.
Following Cong. Pallone’s remarks, her son, Dr. Asbed Vassilian, a
professor of chemistry and director of the Armenian Studies Program
at Rutgers University in New Jersey, reflected on Cong. Pallone’s
statement with the following:
Congressman Frank Pallone’s remarks are really touching, and I am
personally grateful that his office, upon your request, made those
remarks. Regarding my mother, she just wanted justice to prevail
and that all those who perished in 1915 and who did not have any
descendents as she did as a survivor, should be recognized and
their memories should eternally be kept alive. Across from her
bed, she had the picture of her father, Nazaret, who she lost when
she was ten months old. She never knew him. My grandmother had
the picture above her bed all the time she was alive, and my mother
kept it after my grandmother died and put it across her bed so that
every night she would look at it before going to bed.
Having seen and experienced the good, the bad and the ugly, my
mother had a calming effect on the new generation whenever they
came and complained about the problems they were having in their
lives. She would tell them to be happy with what they have, and
not sad or angry with what they lack; mainly, count your blessings
and thank God. She would tell them to look at the problems with
the microscope inverted: rather than seeing small things big, try
to see the big things small. She was a happy, energetic, sharp
minded, and most importantly, content, reconciled with her life,
with its ups and downs. She was thankful to the St. Stepanos
Church community for giving her the spiritual nourishment and to
her new host country, the United States, for taking care of her
over so many years. I will always miss her.
The following is the text of the remarks offered by Cong. Pallone
IN HONOR OF ASKOUHY JALLYAN-VASSILIAN – Madam Speaker, I rise today
to honor Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian and her dedication to her
community and the Armenian people. Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian was a survivor of the
genocide inflicted upon the Armenian people. She was the embodiment of the
enduring human spirit.
Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian was born Askouhy Jallyan on February 12,
1914, in Orfa, Turkey. Her mother, Khanem, had married in 1913 and
was 18 years old when she gave birth to her only daughter. Khanem
was widowed in 1915 when her husband, Nazaret, was murdered. Mrs.
Jallyan-Vassilian was able to flee the horrors of genocide when she
escaped with her mother to neighboring Syria.
Later, Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian married her husband Missak Vassilian
at the age of 19. Together they raised three sons and a daughter.
She was also the proud grandmother of 10 grandchildren and 12
great-grandchildren. Her son, Asbed Vassilian, is currently a
professor of chemistry at Rutgers, The State University of New
Jersey, and is the head of that school’s Armenian studies program.
On October 10, 2007, Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian attended a markup
session of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign
Affairs as it worked on a resolution recognizing the deplorable
deprivation of human rights that occurred during the Armenian
genocide. She had waited 92 years for the United States Congress to
recognize the genocide and suffering that her people had endured at
the hands of hate and intolerance.
Mrs. Jallyan-Vassilian passed away on February 27, 2008. She will
be remembered for her devotion to her Armenian heritage and her
commitment to the cause of those Armenians who suffered wanton
violence and cruelty.
Madam Speaker, I sincerely hope that my colleagues will join me in
celebrating the life of Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian. Her legacy will
continue to serve as a reminder of the audacity of human
resilience.
The Armenian National Committee of America (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.
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Photo Caption #1: Askouhy Jallyan-Vassilian at the House Foreign
Affairs Committee markup on October 10, 2007.’Photo Credit Nuyiri
Kasabian