The California Courier Online, May 3, 2012
Commentary
1 – Why Does Pres. Obama Torture Himself
AndArmenians Every April 24?
ByHarut Sassounian
Publisher, the California Courier
2 – Berj Parseghian Seeks Election to
L.A. CountySuperior Court Judge
3- ColoradoState Legislature Unanimously
ApprovesArmenian Genocide Resolution
4- L.A. BallotsMay
IncludeArmenian
LanguageTranslation
5- Armenian Students Bring Armenian
Issuesto ClintonGlobal Initiative
6- GAMC Celebrates Doctors’ Day with
Chiefof Staff, Dr. Simon Keushkerian
7- UCLA Dream Fund Allocates
$900,000to Prelacy Schools
***********************************************************************
1 – Why Does Pres. Obama Torture Himself
AndArmenians Every April 24?
ByHarut Sassounian
Publisher,The CaliforniaCourier
Forsome unknown reason, the President of the most powerful nation on earth
feelscompelled to put himself through a strange and unnecessary ritual
everyApril 24. Weeks in advance of that date, Pres. Barack Obama
orders his WhiteHouse staff to scour the dictionary to come up with
series of words otherthan genocide to describe the Armenian Genocide.
Forthe fourth year in a row, the President’s resourceful aides have
notdisappointed him. For this year’s `Armenian Remembrance Day,’ they
havecome up with a dozen words that describe the Armenian Genocide
without usingthat specific term. When they ran out of substitute
English words forgenocide, the President’s hardworking wordsmiths
turned to an Armenianterm, `Meds Yeghern,’ without providing its
English translation (GreatCalamity), so no one other than Armenians
would understand what Pres. Obama isspeaking about!
Hereare some of the words that the President’s men offered this
year:’Atrocities,’ ‘brutally massacred,’ ‘marched to their deaths,’
‘unspeakablesuffering,’ ‘perished,’ ‘dark chapters of history,’ ‘what
occurred in 1915,”facts of the past,’ ‘lives that were taken,’
‘senselessly suffered and died,’and finally, ‘the darkness of the Meds
Yeghern.’ Anything but genocide! Engagingin verbal gymnastics on
genocide is unacceptable and unbecoming of theoffice of the President
of the United States. Could such deplorable effortsbe explained as a
feeble attempt by Obama to minimize his brokenpromises? As
Presidential candidate, he repeatedly and solemnly pledged that
hewould recognize the Armenian Genocide. But when he became President,
he hidbehind insulting statements issued in his name year after year!
In hislast four annual statements, Pres. Obama avoided carrying out
his campaignpromises by claiming: `I have consistently stated my own
view of what occurredin 1915. My view of that history has not changed.’
But, he never bothered totell the American public what exactly were
his views in the past, what hisviews are today, and what happened in
1915! He cleverly downplays thesignificance of the Armenian Genocide
by calling it =80=9Cmy own view of whathappened in 1915.’ Yet, on
January 19, 2008, then presidential candidate Obama,seeking the
Armenian community’s campaign contributions and votes, had noqualms to
call these events by their proper name. Back then, he
confidentlystated that `the Armenian Genocide is not an allegation, a
personal opinion, ora point of view,’ and promised that `as
President,’ he would `recognize theArmenian Genocide.’
Sadly,Pres. Obama is not the only member of his administration who has
not
kept hiscampaign pledge on this issue. Vice President Joe Biden and
Secretary of StateHillary Clinton, two of the highest officials of the
country, had made similarpromises to recognize the Armenian Genocide
when they were Senators andpresidential candidates. While Vice
President Biden has remained
eerily silent,Mrs. Clinton has gone from being a proponent of the
recognition of the ArmenianGenocide to its leading opponent. After
becoming Secretary of State, sheactively lobbied to defeat a proposed
congressional resolution on the ArmenianGenocide!
Afterfour years of this senseless charade by the White House, the
ArmenianAmerican community has two good reasons for asking Pres. Obama
not to makeany more statements on the Armenian Genocide.
First,by breaking his word for four years in a row and playing verbal
games withgenocide, Obama has lost the moral standing to speak on this
highlyemotional and painful topic! How can the President of the United
Stateslecture anyone around the world about human rights, democracy,
and justice, whenhe himself has so crudely violated the trust of his
own people and lost allcredibility? He should stop torturing himself,
his staff, and Armeniansworldwide by not issuing insulting
“Remembrance Day”statements. It makes no sense for Pres. Obama to
issue anannual statement that Armenians don’t want, don’t like, and
areoffended by it!
Second,another U.S. President, Ronald Reagan, has already acknowledged
the
ArmenianGenocide in a Presidential Proclamation in 1981. The Armenian
Genocide wasalso recognized by the House of Representative in 1975 and
1984, by
the JusticeDepartment in an official filing with the World Court in
1951, and by 42 U.S.states. Therefore, the Armenian community has no
need to beg Pres. Obama or anyother political candidate to recognize
that which is already and repeatedlyrecognized.
Genocideis too sacred to be a subject of crass political
trading. Those whoacknowledge the undeniable fact of the Armenian
Genocide do so, not as afavor to the victims, but to restore their own
credibilityand moral integrity!
***********************************************************************
2 – BerjParseghian Seeks Election to
L.A. CountySuperior Court Judge
LOS ANGELES – Berj Parseghian, first generationAmerican-Armenian, is
seeking election to the Los Angeles Superior Court in theupcoming June
Primary. When he talks about bringing balance to the courts
andintegrity to judicial
decisions, he means it. He’s been doing just that as avolunteer
temporary judge.
Parseghian, who currently serves as Counsel for Bingham McCutchen LLP,
has
practiced law in Los Angeles for over 12 years. He has experience at
the
state and federallevel and has represented both plaintiffs and
defendants,
includingindividuals, businesses and government agencies, on a wide
variety of legalmatters.
Implicit in Parseghian’s decision to run for judge was hisbelief that
the court needs judges who have broad experience and the
legalknowledge
to handle diverse cases. The Los Angeles Superior Court is thelargest
trial court system in the United States. Three million caseswere filed
in 2009-2010.
He has already won major endorsements from numerouscommunity leaders,
including Sheriff Baca; former L.A. County District AttorneyRobert
Philibosian;
L.A. County Supervisor Michael Antonovich; L.A. CityAttorney Carmen
Trutanich; former Mayor Richard Riordan; California SupremeCourt
Justices Marvin Baxter, Armand Arabian (ret.) and John Arguelles
(ret.);Superior Court Judges Soussan Bruguera, James Rogan and Judith
Chirlin (ret.);as well as U.S. District Judge Dickran Tevrizian
(ret.).
A newcomer to L.A.politics, Berj is working hard to introduce himself
to voters. `Theendorsements from respected leaders extended to my
first
election campaign arecritical to reaching more citizens,’ says
Parseghian. `Judges are often theleast known candidates on the ballot,
but they may have a greater impact onpeople’s lives than other elected
officials. My goal is to earn voters’support.’
As a volunteer temporary judge, Parseghian has presided overmore than
1,000 traffic and small claims cases throughout Los Angeles Countyand
has gained extensive hands-on judicial experience.
Berj was born and raised in Alpena,Michigan, a community of 20,000 on
the shoresof Lake Huron. He graduated with honors fromthe University
of Michigan with a degree inchemistry. Berj then moved to Los Angeles,
where he completed a year of graduate studyin chemistry at Caltech
before pursuing a law
degree and graduating from UCLALaw at the top of his class-becoming
the first attorney in his family.
Berj Parseghian’s name will appear on the June 5 Primaryballot. For
more information, visit
******************************************************************************
3 – Colorado StateLegislature Unanimously
ApprovesArmenian Genocide Resolution
DENVER, CO- On April 20, the Colorado General Assembly unanimously
voiced their approvalfor the 11th annual Armenian Genocide Resolution,
designating
April 24 as Colorado Day of Remembrance of The ArmenianGenocide. The
resolution wasspearheaded by AOC Genocide Commemoration committee
chairperson, KimChristianian in 2002, with the help of committee
members Ken Allikian and SimonMaghakyan. `Each year we update
thelanguage of the resolution to bring awareness to the continuous
injustices thatare placed on the Christian minorities in Turkey’, says
Christianian. Last year, Colorado led the states with language in
theirresolution calling for the return of Christian properties
confiscated duringthe genocide
State Senator Lois Tochtrop has been the primary sponsor ofthe
resolution since 2002, back when she was a State Representative in
theHouse. `We have had several Housesponsors over the years, but for
last two years we have had Representative SuRyden as our advocate in
the House chamber’, says, Ken Allikian.
In addition to the annual resolution, Armenians of Coloradohas for 30
years obtained annual Gubernatorial and Mayoral Armenian
Genocidecommemorative proclamations. This year,the proclamations were
submitted by AOC board member, Rafael Saakyan.
The resolution was followed by the annual commemorationceremony on
April 22, organized by Armenians Of Colorado Inc. and the
GenocideCommemoration Committee. Simon Maghakyanacted as MC and the
guest speakers included Senator Lois Tochtrop andRepresentive Su
Ryden. Reverend FatherZaven Markosyan delivered the invocation in the
Senate and at the commemorationceremony.
A crowd of over 150 attended the ceremony held in The Armenian Garden
located on the StateCapitol grounds where there is a dedicated
commemorative headstone andevergreen tree. The garden wasestablished
with the support of the Armenian community and AOC in April1982. `We
are very fortunate
to have ourown piece of land on the Capitol grounds’, says Sona
Hedeshian, president ofAOC. `We’ll be working to make enhancementsto
the site in time for the centennial in 2015′.
Upcoming AOC events include a talk entitled, The Changing Landscape of
Historic WesternArmenia: Reflections on a Journey intothe Past, with
Dr. Richard Hovannisian on Saturday May 5. Details can be found
at
*****************************************************************************
4 – L.A.Ballots May
IncludeArmenian
LanguageTranslation
LOS ANGELES – The city council may soon consider includingthe Armenian
language in election ballots in order to service the nearly
30,000registered voters of Armenian descent in L.A.
Paul Krekorian, the first Armenian-American on the L.A. CityCouncil,
submitted themotion along with Council President Herb Wesson. The move
was made nowto coincide with the anniversary of the Armenian genocide.
They’re asking for the city’s election materials and ballotsto be
translated into Armenian in time for the 2013 elections.
The city of Glendale,which has a proportionately larger Armenian
population, already does this.
In accordance with the Voting Rights Act, ballots are already being
translatedinto six languages-Spanish, Tagalog, Vietnamese, Korean,
Chinese and Japanese.
Based on Census numbers revealed last year, Hindi and Thaiwill soon be
added to that list.
***************************************************************************
5 – ArmenianStudents Bring Armenian
Issuesto ClintonGlobal Initiative
By Anita Tokatyan
As the twenty-one year old Armenian student looked into theeyes of
former President Bill Clinton, she took a moment to comprehend
whetherthis was a dream or reality. `How could I, only a college
student and a recentimmigrant, meet the president?’ she said. `How
could I, an Armenian, be heretoday and shake hands with one of the
most powerful men in the world?’ Suddenlythe reality of it all hit her
and she realized her calling, her reason, and herpurpose for this
meeting.
Without further thought she reached out to shake PresidentClinton’s
hand and realized she only had a minute to say all she could aboutwhat
mattered most to her and her people. `Mr. President. I can’t thank
youenough for the opportunity to participate in this conference. As a
recentimmigrant to the United States, I am literally living the
Americandream. Thank you for what you’ve done for the Armenians. But
my real
dreamis for the Armenian Genocide to be recognized one day by the
Americangovernment.’
Nanor Balabanian and her team–Astkhik Hakobyan, AlexandraBasmadjian,
and Lilliana Karadavoukian–were one of the few Armenian
studentsinvited to participate in President Clinton’s 5th Annual
ClintonGlobal InitiativeUniversity (CGI U), held March30 to April 1 in
Washington D.C.
The conference hosted over 1,000 college students fromaround the world
as a means of empowering, connecting, and inspiring theirengagement in
public service. As the founder of the Hidden Road Initiative(HRI),
which aims to connect roads and bridge issues between the children
ofAkhpradzor Armenia and therest of the world, Balabanian, along with
her three motivated and dedicatedpeers, represented their development
project in Armenia.
`In this big group of 1,000 students and hundreds ofdifferent
organizations, I could not be more honored to see our Armenian
flagshine brightly among the big pool of student exhibits. I could not
be morehonored of being Armenian and being present,’ Balabanian
said.`This was
a trip for us move forward and build upon the past.This was a trip
where we would show President Clinton that Armenians are alive and
thriving.’
Through various panelists and speakers, the students learnedabout how
to be better leaders in their community.
Hakobyan, HRI Director of International Operations, wasmoved by the
inspiring and engaging lectures presented at CGI U and felt theywere
all directed
toward HRI. The experience opened her eyes to the
differentopportunities and endeavors available to her as an individual
and as a foundingmember of HRI.
`A wonderful anthropology professor once told me…`culture isthe lens
through which we see the world,’ Hakobyan said. =80=9CIndeed, this
shortweekend has polished and refined the lens through which I gather
information.’
Karadavoukian, HRI Fundraising Manager, said she felt hercommitment to
HRI
was strengthened through her participation in CGI U.
Although the students felt they gained valuable informationfrom CGI U,
Karadavoukian was disappointed that Armenia was not covered in
the`Preventing Human Genocides and Mass Atrocities’ workshop. As an
Armenian,Karadavoukian felt that history of genocides should be better
recognized.
`They mentioned one word of the Holocaust, went over verybriefly of
the genocide in Bosnia,’Karadavoukian said. `And no word over the
Armenian Genocide, which was the coreroot of all the other genocides
that occurred throughout history.’
Nevertheless, the students worked together to develop acomprehensive
=80=9Ccommitment to action.’ This commitment requires them to
buildupon their development project in the rural villageof Akhpradzor,
Armenia. Last year, Balabanian leda team of UCSB, Yerevan State
University,and Stanford students to build a computer lab, bring
Internet connectivity, andrun an educational camp that included
classes in computer, health, English,sports,
and arts. The reason behind this project was to provide
communicationand commerce for villagers who are isolated for six
months every winter due tosnow. The long-term goals of their project
are for Internet to be used tocreate new jobs in the village, provide
access to tele-medicine, and give newresources for education. In the
US,the team holds various fundraisers to provide basic needs, such as
winter coatsand sturdy shoes, for the village children.
`What makes our team thrive is the dedicated individuals whotake part
in the Hidden Road Initiative. Our 20 members at UCSB come from
avariety of majors, bringing with them skills that move the
organizationforward,’ Balabanian said. `Leading HRI has led me to
believe that Armeniancollege students have the ability to make a
tremendous impact.’
This idea was reinforced in the students when they had theopportunity
to meet Lara Setrakian, the ABCforeign correspondent in Dubai.Upon
meeting her
the students were motivated by her experiences and wise words.They
said it
was very effective to meet a young Armenian woman dedicated toserve
the Armenians in any way she possibly could.
`During our meeting, Lara covered three main unforgettablepoints,’
Karadavoukian said. `First, the importance of our contribution
tosociety as individuals; second, the importance of our identity asan
Armenian and our role in the diaspora; third, theimportance of being
an Armenian woman in today’s society andour role in public service.’
According to the students, meeting Setrakian was the most
unforgettableexperience at CGI U.
HRI Director of Development Alexandra Basmadjian feltuplifted by the
experience of meeting someone who redefined the notion ofovercoming
limitations in life, and pursuing not only the impossible but alsothe
unimaginable.
The presence of encouraging leaders and students raised thebar on the
capabilities of these students to engage in public service on
bothlarge and small scales. To emerge successful in their attempts for
positivechange and to
redefine the meaning of possibility, the participants were askedthe
big question: What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not
fail?
`In a group of 1,000motivated and dedicated students from around the
world, we not only found a newArmenia,but we started building one as
well,’ Balabanian said.
For more information, visit:
****************************************************************************
6 – GAMCCelebrates Doctors’ Day with
Chiefof Staff, Dr. Simon Keushkerian
By Anahid Anna Pinedjian
GLENDALE – On the occasion ofDoctors’ Day, the Glendale Adventist
MedicalCenter held a luncheon in the East Towerlobby patio, at noon on
March 28, in honor of its health care professionals.
Organized by the Medical Staff Office in collaboration withRamella
Markarian, director of Physician Development, the event was
exquisite,all invited physicians enjoyed appetizing food and
delightful music.
`Honoring our healthcare professionals, the GAMC reallywould like to
take this opportunity to respectfully thank their tirelessefforts,
commitments to ensuring the preservation and sustainability
ofhealthcare service
in GAMC, which is truly underlining its mission,’ saidMarkarian.
Dr. Simon Keushkerian, one of the dedicated physicians amongthe
event’s honorees, was recognized as chief physician surgeon, who
brings thehighest level of expertise to practice diverse, complex
surgical procedures.
Dr. Keushkerian graduated from the American Universityof Beirut School
of Medicine in 1981, with degree of Doctor of Medicine. He completed
an extensive medical educationrequirement in the Kansas State Board of
Healing Arts
and successfully passedthe examination and qualified as a certified
Vascular and General PhysicianSurgeon in 1988.
He started his practice in GAMC almost 25 years ago,treating all age
groups and performing various surgical procedures. He is also a
Clinical Professor of Surgery atthe University of Loma Linda Medical
School.
He is an elected member of the National Peripheral Vascular,and
American College Surgeon’s societies. He is also an active member of
The Armenian American Medical Society ofCalifornia (AAMSC).
In 2008 he was selected as Most Valuable Physician AwardHonoree. He
holds many certifications and positive ratings from local andnational
leading independent organizations.
The medical staff members praised his dedication forproviding quality
health care service to his patients.
Despite his hectic schedule, a compassionate doctor likeKeushkerian
somehow always manages to make time for humanitarian work, whichhas
led him to volunteer in Malawi,Philippines, and Armenia.
`I feel very fortunate to have been trusted with such achallenging
mission. It is very rewardingto have a job that helps to improve the
health and well-being of mankind,’ Dr.Keushkerian said.
**********************************************************************
7- UCLA DreamFund Allocates
$900,000to Prelacy Schools
LA CRESCENTA, CA – Prelate Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian,the
Executive Council, and Board of Regents announced that the Dream Fund
atUCLA has made a very generous allocation of $900,000 to Prelacy
Schools.
The contributions were made to the following schools: Rose& Alex
PilibosArmenian School,Holy Martyrs Ferrahian High School & Holy
Martyrs Marie Cabayan Elementary,Armenian MesrobianSchool, Vahan &
Anoush ChamlianArmenian School,Ari GuiragosMinassian ArmenianSchool,
Krouzian-Zekarian-VasbouraganArmenian School,St. Mary’s Richard
Tufenkian ArmenianPre-School, and Levon & Hasmig Tavlian Armenian
Pre-School.The Prelate, Executive Council, and the Board of Regents of
Prelacy Schoolsexpressed their profound gratitude to the Dream Fund
for their generosity.
“Our heartfelt thanks to the Dream Fund for this muchneeded
assistance. In this globaleconomic crisis, more than ever our schools
are in need of financial aid tocontinue their mission of providing the
highest quality of education togenerations of Armenian students. This
allocation will certainly contributegreatly to the realization of that
mission, and for that we areever-thankful”, stated the Prelate.
The Dream Fund at UCLA is a donor-advised fund, establishedin 2011
through
the generosity of The Lincy Foundation. The Dream Fund focuseson
education, health, youth, and the community.
********************************************************************
The California Courier Online provides viewers of the GroongNews
Service with a few of the articles on that week’s issue of The
CaliforniaCourier. Letters to the editor areencouraged. However,
authors are requested to provide their names, addresses,and/or
telephone numbers to verify identity, if any question
arises. CaliforniaCourier subscribers are requested not to use this
service to change, or modifymailing addresses. Those changes can be
made through our e-mail, [email protected], by phone,
(818)409-0949. Thank you.
*********************************************************************
www.BerjForJudge.com.
www.armeniansofcolorado.org.
www.hiddenroadinitiative.com