Month: October 2019

MISSION HILLS—Adding fun to the Southern California Armenian community’s social calendar again this year is Ararat Home’s Casino Night XVI. This year, the event will take place on November 16 at the Deukmejian Grand Ballroom, located at 15105 Mission Hills Rd, Mission Hills, CA 91345.

“We invite everyone who loves to have a good time for a good cause to join us,” said event organizing Committee Chair Gary Kaloostian. Happy hour begins at 5:30 p.m., with a buffet dinner and professional gaming to follow. Valuable prizes will be awarded at the end of the evening, including a special $1,000 cash prize to celebrate in style.

Casino Night tickets are available for $60 pre-purchase or $70 at the door. Pre-event purchases should be made by check to Ararat Home or online. Complimentary valet parking and a photo booth will be provided. Further information may be found online or by calling 818.838.4860. Proceeds of Casino Night XVI will help Ararat Home’s expansion project on the new property adjacent to its current campus.

The Closure of Pasadena’s Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School was Conveyed in an Email

The Armenian General Benevolent Union, citing declining enrollment and increased deficit, has announced that it will combine the “AGBU Vatche and Tamar Manoukian High School (MHS) with our sister AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School (MDS) on the Canoga Park campus at the end of this school year.”

The decision was conveyed to the MHS community in an email on Friday afternoon from the AGBU Central Board, the Manoukian Foundation and the MHS Board, explaining the reasons for the decision.

“Despite the best efforts of the MHS community, the school has seen stagnant with declining enrollment for several years. We are very thankful to our administration, faculty and staff for their dedication and devotion to the school. Even with concentrated marketing, we have had disappointing results, reflecting a lower community demand, overall, for full-time private Armenian education,” said the letter to the parents obtained by Asbarez.

“Since its inception, regardless of enrollment numbers, the school has been heavily subsidized by AGBU and the Manoukian Foundation. Those subsidies have grown significantly every year, nearing almost $2 million this past year, alone. With its policy of keeping tuition affordable, the $7,980 tuition covers only about a third of the $20,000 per student cost. AGBU and the Manoukian Foundation have been subsidizing each student between $10,000 and $13,000, annually. There has also been a steadily increasing demand for financial aid. Given its commitment to maintaining high academic standards and attracting the best quality teachers, MHS is facing a financial reality that has become untenable,” explained the letter.

The AGBU leadership explained that MHS campus, located in Pasadena, into a cultural center.

“AGBU and the Manoukian Foundation remain committed to providing members of the broader Los Angeles community enhanced opportunities to learn and celebrate our beautiful culture. Combining our two schools allows the Canoga Park campus to focus on excellent traditional education, and creates an opportunity to convert the Pasadena campus into a community and cultural center, anchored by the recently completed state of the art Performing Arts Center, which can be used by the entire community, especially our young people,” said AGBU in the letter.

“The process of redesigning and eventually reconstructing this state of the art cultural hub will be undertaken with the community’s direct input and underwritten by AGBU and the Manoukian Foundation. AGBU has had such centers for generations in countries across the globe, and it is imperative for Los Angeles to have such a center, as well. Among the ideas for what the center can offer are programs in information technology, robotics and engineering classes, music, dance, art, and cooking, in addition to continuing the community sports programs and creating meeting and event spaces. We will continue to keep you informed on the developments of this project,” added the AGBU.

In her remarks during this year’s Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region banquet, the organization’s chairperson Nora Hovsepian, Esq. put forth a compelling agenda for advancing the Armenian Cause and called on all Armenians to come together to pursue our just national aspirations. She said: “We must see ourselves: as Armenians in pursuit of a national agenda to seek justice for the Armenian Genocide, support for Armenia and Artsakh.”

Below is the complete text of Hovsepian’s remarks.

Welcome to the ANCA Western Region’s 2019 Annual Gala Banquet!

I want to start first by thanking our Banquet Committee Chair Marie Filipian and the entire Banquet Committee for their dedication and hard work. Only those who have done it know how challenging it is to handle nearly 1000 guests and cover every detail in an event of this magnitude.

On behalf of our ANCA-WR Board of Directors, I also want to express our gratitude to our wonderful staff, a stellar team led by our new Executive Director Armen Sahakyan, who has literally been working 24/7 to ensure the success of this weekend and of everything we do, from regional road trips to multi-state advocacy days, organizing legislative trips to Armenia to building coalitions, managing our internship programs to working with our committees and local chapters, collaborating with public agencies to meet the needs of our community, to everything in between. We are proud of this generation of young leaders and we thank them for rising to the challenge every day.

To each of our donors, supporters, and distinguished honorees: thank you for being here, thank you for your generous contributions, and thank you for your encouragement. You truly provide the inspiration that fuels our work. And to each of the elected officials who join us tonight, all good friends to our community, thank you for being here to feel the love of our community.

In addition to U.S. officials, we are proud to have representatives from three other countries join us tonight: from the Republic of Armenia, High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, former ANCA-WR Board member, former mayor of the City of Glendale, and son of our community, Zareh Sinanyan. From the Republic of Artsakh, Deputy Foreign Minister Armine Aleksanyan; and from Japan, Consul General to Southern California and Arizona, the Honorable Akira Muto. Welcome to all of you!

Our major banquet sponsors, Gevik & Peter Baghdassarian and their families, have admirably continued the philanthropic legacy of their beloved father, Hacop Baghdassarian, setting an example for all of us to promote with our own children, so that they understand the importance of giving back to the community that has so tenderly raised them in Armenian churches, schools, organizations, and families, instilling in them a sense of national duty and pride. We are deeply grateful and thank you for the confidence you have shown by taking on this massive responsibility.

The Sepetjian Family, led by Sarkis and Nune, quietly offer their most benevolent support year after year, for which we are eternally grateful.

Varant and Hoori Melkonian, pillars in our community, have generously supported the ANCA-WR and so many other organizations for so many years, that a mere thank you seems wholly inadequate. We greatly value your passion, your faith, your wisdom, and your exemplary philanthropic spirit.

Special thanks and sincere gratitude this year and every year for the consistent support from community leaders and benefactors: the Chraghchians, Eshgians, Ghailians, Karapetians, Manjikians, Fermanians, and the Trustees of the George Ignatius Foundation.

I also want to highlight the contributions of David & Laura McKenzie and their wonderful daughter Elizabeth, recipients of our Excellence in Media award last year, who spare no effort to assist us in every possible way. Most recently, David generously provided professional guidance and logistical assistance to help us launch our newest initiative: the Impact Media Institute, which will serve as a media watchdog to uphold and promote fundamental human rights for all people, to fight against hatred, bigotry, intolerance and historical revisionism in all forms of media, and to cultivate media relationships to ensure the proper coverage of our issues. Thank you David and Laura, and stay tuned for exciting developments on this front in the coming weeks and months.

It is also important to acknowledge some significant milestones this year. It’s our birthday! One hundred years ago in 1919, the American Committee for the Independence of Armenia, precursor to the Armenian National Committee of America, was founded by Vahan Cardashian. Serving on the frontlines of Armenian-American advocacy for decades, the ANCA’s Western Region was established fifty years ago in 1969. Sadly, these milestones are punctuated by the fact that we just lost one of our true leaders from those historic times, a visionary who served as the California Director of the ACIA in the 1950’s and then as founding chairman of the ANCA Western Region. Hagop Manjikian was a true soldier of the Armenian Cause and leaves a lifetime of service that we can only aspire to match, tirelessly advocating till the end for community unity to strengthen our voice against those who oppose us. He will be missed, but his legacy lives on through our continued work.
And as our work has continued for many decades, we have stood on the shoulders of Hagop Manjikian’s generation. Just this weekend, we had our 5th biennial Grassroots Conference which brought together hundreds of activists of all ages to gain insight from our esteemed panelists on a wide range of diverse topics: Artsakh, Western Armenia and the aftermath of the Genocide, Turkey’s recent invasion and ethnic cleansing in northern Syria, Azerbaijan’s cultural genocide in Djulfa. We listened with pride to successful Armenian women in media. We explored avenues for civic engagement with high ranking government officials, and we learned ways to define the role we play in inter-relations between Homeland and Diaspora.

Our community has been through a lot of ups and downs over the years. And while there are naturally inherent divisions among us, ranging from place of birth to political preferences to organizational loyalties, it is vital to scratch below the surface and focus on all that we have in common in order to move forward as effectively as possible. We must reject any person or entity, from outside our community or from within, who tries to exploit that which may divide us. We must have zero tolerance for anyone who tries to weaken us.

For it is no longer just about simply surviving as “good” Armenians, as my friend and colleague Antranig Kasbarian likes to say. It is about being proactive collectively as “effective” Armenians. This is our challenge of the present as we navigate changing roles for Homeland and Diaspora, trying to find a balance to move forward as one entity to assert our national demands and aspirations.

Decades of work have shown, unequivocally, that if it weren’t for our civic engagement as an organized Armenian-American community, if it weren’t for the consistent, persistent, focused advocacy for the Armenian Cause by each generation, our issues would never have made their way onto the American political agenda. This is the victory of our community, and this is the strength we can continue to offer to our Homeland.

For when our enemies come after us, literally or figuratively, they don’t ask whether we are Eastern Armenian or Western Armenian, Tashnag or Ramgavar, Republican or Democrat, parishioners of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin or the Holy See of the Great House of Cilicia, because it doesn’t matter. They see us first and foremost as we must see ourselves: as Armenians in pursuit of a national agenda to seek justice for the Armenian Genocide, support for Armenia and Artsakh, and to assert our collective will to effectuate positive change in US policy toward our Cause.

So let’s move from the philosophical to the practical, because we have work to do. In the coming year, we must collectively focus on mobilizing every single Armenian-American to do two things: (1) write in the word “Armenian” under “Other” in the 2020 Census so we can be accurately counted; and (2) vote in the March primary and November general election for incumbents and candidates who support our Cause and value our community. And if they don’t, then vote them out!

Can we do it? If we mobilize and continue our collaboration to promote our national agenda, we most certainly can. And when we do, there is nothing that can stop us.

So let’s get to work, and we will see you in the trenches!

LOS ANGELES—More than 1,000 activists, community leaders, public officials, supporters, and generous donors attended the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region’s Annual Gala on October 20, 2019 in Beverly Hills.

The community celebrated ANCA-WR’s accomplishments and bestowed the “Legislator of the Year” Award upon Congresswoman Judy Chu, the “Woman of the Year” award upon LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, the “Khrimian Hayrig” award upon Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, the “Excellence in Media” award upon news anchor Araksya Karapetyan, and gave recognition to last year’s ANCA-WR interns. A special tribute was made in memoriam to Hacop Baghdassarian to honor his lifelong commitment and unwavering dedication to the advancement of the Armenian Cause.

With over 50 elected officials in attendance, opening and closing remarks were made by City of Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti and California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, as participants enjoyed a memorable evening at the community’s largest and most prestigious event of the year. In addition to U.S. officials, representatives from three other countries were also present to join the festivities and congratulate the ANCA-WR: High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan from the Republic of Armenia; Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh Armine Aleksanyan; and Consul General of Japan to Southern California and Arizona, the Honorable Akira Muto.

Held at the iconic Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, the evening began at 4:30pm with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction. A three-course dinner followed at 6:00pm with a powerful program and presentation of awards kicked off by the national anthems performed by Anahit Nersesyan.

Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, conducted the invocation for the evening, commending the work of the ANCA-WR and congratulating all the honorees.

Following the prayer, 2019 ANCA-WR Gala Banquet Committee Chair Marie Filipian welcomed guests and thanked committee members for making the sold-out event a big success.

Following Filipian’s remarks, LA Mayor Eric Garcetti addressed the gala attendees commending the critical work of ANCA and expressing his support for the Armenian community that he has represented for years. first as a member of the LA City Council and then as Mayor. “In this room I see possibility, I see potential, and I feel power,” noted Garcetti. “We know that the bonds between Los Angeles and Armenia are unbreakable, but friends, we have to speak truth to power always. Whether it’s when we fill the streets to say that we remember the 1.5 million lost or whether it’s right now when we see Turkish tanks going over another border yet again to cause the suffering for another people. We have to speak truth amid aggression with the power that we have in this room.”

ANCA-WR Chair Nora Hovsepian, Esq. then took the stage to deliver the organization’s message focused on community-wide cooperation and unity, calling on Armenians of all political and religious persuasions to unite as one, to strive to be not just “good” Armenians, but “effective” Armenians to bring the collective strength of the vast Armenian-American Diaspora to rally U.S. support for Armenia, Artsakh and justice for the Armenian Genocide, and to be civically engaged as American citizens to accomplish the goals of the Armenian Cause. Noting that 2019 marked the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ANCA’s precursor organization, the American Committee for the Independence of Armenia, and the 50th anniversary of the founding of the ANCA-Western Region, Hovsepian paid tribute to the first secretary of the ACIA in California and the founding chairman of the ANCA-WR, Hagop Manjikian, who had sadly passed away just days before the event.

In her remarks, Hovsepian expressed the organization’s deep gratitude to banquet sponsors Gevik & Peter Baghdassarian and their families and to all of the ANCA’s generous donors who continue to inspire the work of the ANCA year-round with their support and encouragement. Providing attendees with details of the organization’s accomplishments in 2019, Hovsepian highlighted the success of the ANCA-WR’s recent legislative trip to Yerevan as part of its effort to bolster relations between U.S. states and the Republic of Armenia, noted the latest milestone in the Divest Turkey initiative, with Governor Gavin Newsom signing AB1320 Turkey Divestment Bill into law, and announced the latest initiative of ANCA-WR in creating the Impact Media Institute tasked with monitoring and engaging with media outlets in defense of human rights and justice.

Before the brief dinner break, Armenia’s Ambassador to the United States Varuzhan Nersesyan – who traveled from Washington, DC for this occasion – took the stage to congratulate the ANCA-WR and to greet the attendees. In his remarks he particularly noted that, “Sometimes it may seem that Washington, DC is a 5-hour flight away from Los Angeles, but what you do here, what you initiate here resonates in Washington, DC and we see and witness it on a daily basis. You spare no efforts to make an impact on all the Armenian-related issues.” Ambassador Nersesyan went on to say that, “During this past year you have continued to work tenaciously on an agenda from advocating for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide to Genocide Education, from generating support for the Republic of Armenia to the recognition to the Republic of Artsakh, from developing grassroots programs for the Armenian-American community in western half of U.S. to institutionalizing partnerships with ethnic communities, such as Assyrian and Greek communities, to building new coalitions between Armenian, Jewish, Korean, and Hindu communities. ANCA-WR’s Divest Turkey initiative is yet another benchmark where it was made clear that Turkey’s policy of denialism has its consequences.”

ANCA National Board Member Levon Kirakosian, Esq., ANCA-WR Board Member Raffi Sarkissian, and Southern California Armenian Democrats (SCAD) Chair Araz Parseghian presented the “Legislator of the Year” Award to Congresswoman Judy Chu in honor of her steadfast dedication and commitment to advancing the Armenian Cause. Rep. Chu had just recently returned from a Congressional Delegation Trip to Armenia and Artsakh.

“For over a decade, Congresswoman Judy Chu has been championing the Armenian Cause in the halls of Congress, proving time and again her commitment to the issues and concerns of her Armenian-American constituents,” noted Kirakosian, continuing, “Congresswoman Judy Chu has worked closely with the ANCA to sponsor the Chu amendment endorsing the bipartisan Royce-Engel Peace Proposal for Artsakh… that legislation was overwhelmingly adopted in July 2019 by the U.S. House of Representatives.”

In her acceptance speech, Rep. Chu said, “It is such an honor to get this from an organization I respect so much; the Armenian National Committee. And it’s especially wonderful to receive this, ten days after I’ve come back from Armenia. In each visit, I told them how proud I was to represent a district with the oldest and one of the largest Armenian population in America. That is why I was determined to visit Artsakh.” Congresswoman Chu went on to continue, “Being in Artsakh, made me even more gratified to have introduced the amendment into the National Defense authorization act to reinforce the ceasefire in Artsakh while ensuring that any violators that any violators would be held accountable… and we visited the HALO Trust and watched them demonstrate their mine clearing work. I came home and discovered that because of my visit I have been officially blacklisted by the country of Azerbaijan, so I guess that besides the honor you give me tonight, I have another badge of honor. And by the way, considering how Congress feels about Turkey right now, I think now is the perfect time for Congress to vote “yes” on the Armenian Genocide Resolution.”

ANCA-WR Board Members Lina Davidian, Esq. and Hermineh Pakhanians then took the stage for the Special Tribute in Memoriam to Hacop Baghdassarian to honor his lifelong philanthropic efforts in furtherance of the Armenian Cause. His sons Gevik and Peter Baghdassarian accepted the Tribute on behalf of the family and offered remarks celebrating the life of the great benefactor and community leader Hacop Baghdassarian, highlighting that their father instilled in them a sense of duty to serve the Armenian Nation and that they are committed to continuing the legacy he left behind.

“If you were to look up the call to action or call for help, from major Armenian organizations in Armenia and the Diaspora, you would most likely see Hacop Baghdassarian listed as one of the first responders,” remarked Hermineh Pakhanians. “Hacop Baghdassarian was a very humble man… even after his passing, through endowment funds established by his family, Hacop Baghdassarian continues to support many students in completing their higher education. We will never forget him, his legacy will be carried forward not only by his sons and grandsons but also by all those whose lives he touched.”

In his remarks, Gevik Baghdassarian noted, “I want to thank ANCA-Western Region board from the Baghdassarian Family for bestowing this amazing honor, you know how much this would mean to my father. He was a man who taught by action and not by words. One of the best lessons he taught me was the meaning of the word “Azgayin”… and we are here today supporting ANCA-WR because they’re “Azgayin” and they do the hard work that we need everyone to do and get done.”

The “Woman of the Year” award was presented to LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger by ANCA-WR Board Members Sako Berberian and Anahid Oshagan, Esq. as well as National Organization of Republican Armenians (NORA) Chair Harry Leon for her unwavering support for the Armenian Cause. Supervisor Barger had earlier joined the ANCA-WR Legislative Trip to Armenia together with other state-level officials from California, Arizona, and Colorado, and she represents the largest Armenian-American constituency in the country.

Anahid Oshagan remarked during her introduction of the award, “Elected to office in 2016, Supervisor Barger hit the ground running as an advocate, voice, and a dear friend, to the Armenian community. She proudly serves the county’s largest district…. giving Supervisor Barger the distinction of representing the largest concentration of Armenian-American constituents in the United States.” Oshagan continued, “The Supervisor’s contributions to our community are countless… Supervisor Barger proclaimed, not just the day, but the entire month of April, as “Armenian History Month.” To acquire even a greater understanding of our community, the Supervisor visited Armenia as part of this year’s ANCA-WR Legislative Delegation. Lastly, Supervisor Barger generously donated one million dollars towards the realization of the Armenian-American Museum in Glendale, CA.”

In her acceptance speech, Supervisor Barger said, “All I can say is that I’m deeply humbled to receive this honor from this incredible organization and the people who represent the ANCA-WR. I’m so grateful for your guidance, your mentorship, but more importantly your friendship. Visiting Armenia this summer truly did give me a perspective to strengthen my representation of the Armenian people… There is no question that I am going back, I will forever be grateful to the ANCA-WR for the unforgettable experience, it truly has changed my life and it’s something I will carry with me forever.”

ANCA-WR Board Vice-Chair Raffi Kassabian, Esq. and Board Member Lena Bozoyan presented the “Khrimian Hayrig” Award to Archbishop Hovnan Derderian in honor of his exemplary service and devotion to the Armenian Cause.

“Tonight we honor a man whose dedication and commitment to the cause keeps Khrimian Hayrig’s vision very much alive,” said ANCA-WR Vice-Chair Raffi Kassabian. “As the leader of the Western Diocese, Archbishop Derderian, has used the power of spirituality, holy tradition, and the faith of the Armenian Church to unite segments of the Diasopran community to pursue the advancement of the Armenian Cause in a structured and collaborative environment.”

In his acceptance speech, Archbishop Hovnan Derderian particular noted that “Dreamers are the architects of the future. Tonight, we’re celebrating ANCA in the life of our community. Today, as I receive the Khrimian Hayrig, I bow my head in admiration and reverence before Khrimian Hayrig, pledging to continue his eternal legacy to the best of my human abilities.”

The “Excellence in Media” award was presented to Araksya Karapetyan for her ongoing contribution toward advancing awareness of the Armenian Cause. Presenting the award were ANCA-WR Board Members Ayk Dikijian, Esq., Gev Iskajyan, and Joseph Kaskanian.

“There is no weapon in the arsenal of Hye Tad like the ability to tell our story to the masses,” remarked Dikijian. in introducing the award. “And to make this objective a reality it takes Armenian Diasporans with the courage to dream and dedication to reach the heights of their professional fields; to utilize their platform and tell the story of our Cause to the millions. A shining example of this is personified in our very special and talented honoree tonight, our community’s diamond Araksya Karapetyan.”

In her acceptance speech, Karapetyan noted, “What brings me this energy, what gives me this passion, what fuels my drive, and what is all about the purpose and the meaning that I am looking for is the fact that I am able to be a part of this community and to give back… As Armenian-Americans we have a duty and a responsibility to never forget who we are and to never forget where we come from and to always try to give back in whatever capacity we can. We have shown the world what is possible when we as Armenians come together. We can make and bring about instrumental change.”

Following a video presentation of the last year’s ANCA-WR interns, ANCA-WR Executive Director Armen Sahakyan took to the podium to recognize the 2019 ANCA Western Region and ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship Program participants, Hakop Hajibekyan, Gregory Mikhanjian, Sarnell Antabian, and Areg Jangozian. Joining on the stage were ANCA-WR Government Affairs Director Arsen Shirvanyan, ANCA-WR Government Relations Coordinator Serob Abrahamian, ANCA-WR Community Development Coordinator Simon Maghakyan, and ANCA-WR Projects Coordinator Lori Sinanian.

“Youth is the backbone, it is the future, and each generation has a responsibility to equip with the necessary tools and skills the following one to carry the torch of truth and justice forward,” Sahakyan noted in his remarks.

The Lieutenant Governor of California Eleni Kounalakis offered the closing remarks, during which she congratulated all the evening’s honorees and expressed appreciation for being invited as part of the ANCA-WR’s 2019 Legislative Trip to Armenia, adding that her commitment as a California leader and as a Greek-American to Armenian issues is strong and unwavering.

The evening concluded with a rousing a cappella rendition of Armenian folk music by Anahit Nersesyan in honor of Gomidas Vartabed’s 150th birthday.

The Gala Committee included Marie Filipian (Chair), Lina Davidian, Esq. (Board Liaison), Anita Altounian, Steve Artinian, Clara Fermanian, Harry Geozian, Anita Gevorkian, Elizabeth Gourjian, Edgar Hayrapetyan, Silva Kechichian, Vanna Kitsinian, Esq., Carolyn Peroomian, Suren Seropian, Astine Suleimanyan, Nora Tchaparian, Vahagn Thomassian, Krestina Torossian, Sarin Vartanian, Harry Geozian, Lusine Yarian, and Armine Zakaryan.

The ANCA-WR Annual Banquet is the largest event of its kind and helps raise funds to operate the nation’s most broad-based Armenian-American grassroots and political advocacy organization. Through these funds, the ANCA-WR is able to educate the general public about the Armenian Genocide, the Republic of Armenia, Artsakh, and other vital issues of concern to the Armenian-American community.

To financially assist the ANCA-WR in its work, community members are encouraged to enroll in the ANCAdvocates program, Friends of the ANCA-WR Monthly Giving program, the ANCA-WR Founders’ Circle Annual Giving, and the Support our Supporters Corporate and Business Giving programs by visiting ancawr.org/donate or calling 818.500.1919. Supporters are also urged to join the $15/month Text to Donate program by texting 4ANC to 41444.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.