Author: Khondkarian Raffi

PRESS RELEASE
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apost. Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian
Prelate, Western United States
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, 91214
Tel: 818-248-7737/8
Fax: 818-248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Web:
SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
LORD, KEEP THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA
SECURE AND STABLE
Prayed the Prelate
On Sunday, May 28, 2006, special prayers took place at all
Western Prelacy Churches in celebration of the 88th anniversary of the
independence of the Republic of Armenia.
At Glendale’s St. Mary’s Church, His Eminence Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian, Prelate, accompanied by Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian and St.
Mary’s Pastors, offered special prayers and officiated over the blessing of
the Armenian flag.
Guided by the Holy Cross and accompanied by hymns, the flag was
brought into the church by H.M.E.M. scouts, where the Prelate blessed it and
offered blessings for the Republic of Armenia, and the Armenian people. The
Prelate prayed, `Extend your hand, Oh Lord, and bless the Armenian people,
our nation, and the Armenian Apostolic Church.’
In his sermon, the Prelate reminded the faithful that this first
Sunday after Ascension and the sixth Sunday of Eastertide is called Second
Palm Sunday, and symbolizes the entering of Jesus into heaven and inheriting
the heavenly kingdom. Thus, he prayed to the Almighty Lord to keep the
reestablished Republic of Armenia secure and stable, and to grant wisdom to
the leaders of our republic so that they may serve our people with honesty
and integrity. May the Lord enhance and strengthen the courageous spirit of
our commanders and troops that defend our nation, and bless and protect our
people, nation, church, Artsakh, and the Diaspora.
Following Holy Mass, requiem service was conducted for all the
martyrs of our nation and people.

TURKISH COURT ACCUSES ARMENIANS IN GENOCIDE
Author: A.Alasgarov
TREND, Azerbaijan
May 31 2006
The Court of Istanbul District of Shishla is scheduled to host on
16 June hearings on legal competence of statement by writer Orkhan
Pamuk on extermination of 1 million Armenian and 30,000 Kurds.
Trend special correspondent reports from Turkey the lawsuit was filed
by families of victims of the Armenian genocide, who are currently
residing in East Antalia, mainly in Igdir, Kars and Erzerum.
Azerbaijanis who were obliged to move to Turkey as a result of ethnic
cleansing by Armenians are also among plaintiffs.
In case the court makes a sentence on legal groundlessness of the
statement there will be considered possibilities of a legal verdict
on facts of massacre of Turks and Azerbaijanis carried out by Armenian.
On 16 June the Turkish will first over its history make a sentence
accusing Armenians in genocide.

BLACK SEA ASSOCIATIONS OF NATIONAL NEWS AGENCIES ESTABLISHED IN KIEV
Anatolian Times, Turkey
May 31 2006
KIEV – Black Sea Associations of National News Agencies (BSANNA)
was established by representatives of national news agencies in Black
Sea littoral countries in a meeting in Kiev, Ukraine on Tuesday.
Anadolu Agency (A.A) Director General Dr. Hilmi Bengi as well
as representatives from Athens News Agency (ANA), Armenian State
News Agency (ARMENPRESS), Albanian Telegraphic Agency (ATA), State
Information Agency of Azerbaijan Republic (AZERTAJ), Bulgarian
Telegraph Agency (BTA), Georgia News Agency (CAUCASUS-PRESS), Russian
News Agency (ITAR-TASS), Moldova State News Agency (MOLDPRESS),
Romanian News Agency (ROMPRESS) and Serbia-Montenegro`s News Agency
(TANJUG) attended the signing ceremony hosted by Ukrainian National
News Agency (UKRINFORM).
A declaration was issued after the ceremony which stated, “BSANNA aims
to contribute to cooperation and friendship among Black Sea littoral
countries through exchange of news reports.”

AZERI DM SAYS HIS GOVERNMENT WANTS PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT OF KARABAKH CONFLICT
Armenpress
May 31 2006
BAKU, MAY 31, ARMENPRESS: Azerbaijani defense minister Safar Abiyev
said his government wanted a peaceful solution to the Karabakh
conflict. Abiyev was quoted by Trend news agency as saying that
possibilities for peaceful settlement of the conflict did not run
out yet.
“Now is the time to take up a principled and objective stance- to
recognize Armenia as aggressor, to demand that it respect international
laws and pull out its troops from occupied Azerbaijani territories,”
he was quoted by Trend as saying.
He said the people of Azerbaijan will never out up with occupation
of their land and will apply all ways to restore its territorial
integrity stipulated by international laws. Abiyev made the remarks
while addressing a CIS Defense Ministers Council meeting in Baku.
Armenia refused to send defense minister Serzh Sarkisian to Baku to
attend the meeting because Azeri authorities failed to guarantee
the security of the Armenian delegation. The Armenian ministry of
defense said in a statement it has been informed by the Moscow-based
Secretariat of the Council that the Azeri authorities have refused
to guarantee the security of the Armenian participants.

KARABAKH CONFLICT TO BE CONSIDERED IN CONTEXT OF TRANSFORMATION OF BLACK SEA REGION
Today, Azerbaijan
May 30 2006
Black Sea Forum for Dialog and Partnership will be held in Bucharest
(Romania) June 4-5.
As head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry’s press office Vassily
Filipchuk informs, participants of the forum are expected “to continue
their dialog about democracy, stability and development started by a
forum of the Commonwealth of Democratic Choice held in Kiev in December
2005 and Vilnius conference ‘Common Vision for Common Neighborhood’.”
The final goal of the process, according to Filipchuk, will be
transformation of the Black Sea region into a Euro-integration space
of interaction of sovereign states in the territory with active market
economy systems, transparent and effective governmental bodies.
“This process is also aimed at maintaining strong ties with the
Euro-Atlantic community aimed at further extension and consolidation of
the zone of freedom, security and stability in the Black Sea region,”
he said.
It is worth mentioning, within frameworks of the forum a meeting of
Armenian President Robert Kocharyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham
Aliyev is planned. By the way, Robert Kocharyan did not participate
in the events in Kiev and Vilnius that anticipated the summit in
Bucharest.
It is also worth mentioning that neither Armenia nor Azerbaijan
are states with assess to the Black Sea. Meanwhile, according to
the Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan, there is a document
at the negotiation table over Nagorno Karabakh settlement, and the
presidents are expected to work it out. Last meeting of the Armenian
and Azerbaijani presidents was held in Rambouillet and bore no positive
results, though, became a stage to more intensified activity of the
mediators in the settlement process, especially in the US.
As independent Armenian experts believe, the fact of holding another
Kocharyan-Aliyev meeting in Bucharest means that the Karabakh problem
is being treated in the context of processes in the Black Sea and
Caspian region on the whole, REGNUM reports.
URL:

Suspect in Carnival Crash Charged
WXYZ.com (Channel 7 in Detroit, ABC Affiliate)
May 24, 2006
By Takisha Roberson, web produced by Sarah Morgan
The man accused of plowing his van into a crowded carnival in Southfield
was charged with almost 30 felony counts, Wednesday morning.
34-year-old Timothy Buss faces life in prison for assault with intent to
murder, felonious assault for failing to stop his vehicle after an
accident and property charges.
Buss is accused of driving his minivan into a carnival outside the Alex
and Marie Manoogian Schools and injuring nine children and two adults on
Sunday.
Police said Buss was driving nearly 60 miles per hour at one point. He
was later arrested at his Troy home.
Buss appeared to be close to tears as the judge read the charges against
him. The judge entered a not guilty plea on his behalf and gave him a
court appointed attorney.
Buss has a history of substance abuse and told the judge he had been
drinking earlier in the day, but alcohol has not been determined to be a
factor in the crash.
ticle/0,2132,WXYZ_15924_4723317,00.html

Collective Bella ciao, France
May 26 2006
Bush pedocide – complicity in 0.1 million US &1.6 million Iraqi &
Afghan avoidable infant deaths
By : Dr Gideon Polya
May Friday 26th 2006

For decent human societies the worst imaginable crimes involve the
killing of children (paedocide, or pedocide in America) or the
killing of infants (infanticide) – and unthinkably before Nazism, the
Jewish Holocaust and other 20th century genocides from Armenia and
Namibia to Cambodia, Rwanda, Darfur and Timor Leste – mass paedocide
(mass pedocide) and mass infanticide. As outlined below, the Bush
Administration – Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld & Dr Rice aka Dr Death – are
complicit in the AVOIDABLE DEATHS of 0.1 million US under-5 year old
infants and of 1.6 million under-5 year old Iraqi and Afghan infants.
America, Cuba and Singapore have `annual per capita incomes’ of
$38,000, $1,200 and $21,000, respectively, but their `annual under-5
infant death rates’ are 0.17%, 0.17% and 0.07%, respectively. The US,
the richest country by far in the world, should have the lowest
infant mortality – i.e. that of Singapore – and the difference of
0.1% and a US under-5 infant population of 20.1 million translates to
an avoidable under-5 infant deaths of 20,1000 each year. Over the
last 5 years, the perverted priorities of the Bush Administration
have killed 100,000 American infants (see:
and
).
The Bush Wars have been very expensive for America and for the
foreign victims of US state terrorism: 2.3 million post-invasion
avoidable (excess) deaths and 1.8 million post-invasion under-5
infant deaths (90% avoidable) in the Occupied Iraqi and Afghan
Territories due to gross Coalition violation of the Geneva
Convention; a Nobel Laureate-estimated economic cost totalling $1-2
trillion (see: ); 2,752
American military deaths (2,456 in Iraq and 296 in Afghanistan);
18,587 American soldiers wounded (17,869 in Iraq and 718 in
Afghanistan) (see: ); about 50,000
post-2001 American opiate drug deaths due to Coalition restoration of
the Taliban-destroyed Afghan opium industry to a current 87% of world
market share (see: ); and
about 100,000 avoidable under-5 year old American deaths over the
last 5 years (see: and
).
Of course, none of this will be reported by racist, lying,
holocaust-ignoring Mainstream Media in the UK, US or their blindly
loyal ally, Racist White Australia.
How many Iraqi and Afghan infants does Bush have to kill before he is
arraigned before the International Criminal Court?
How many AMERICAN infants does Bush have to kill before he is
impeached?
hp3?id_article=12088

Alexan Harutyunyan: Teamwork won at Eurovision

ArmRadio.am
26.05.2006 18:20
These days many publications in the media include views, general
wording of which is as follows: `It was not Andre that won at the
Eurovision but Alexan Harutyunyan through his ties and means. Just the
way Lusine Tovmasyan acquired the title of `Vice Miss Europe.’
In his interview to `Radiolur’ correspondent Alexan Harutyunyan,
President of the Council of Public Radio and Television of Armenia,
did not agree with the idea, saying that he merely headed the team
that participated in the contest. `The most important here are the
singer, the song, the team, the instrumentation. We would not succeed
if these were not good, no matter how hard I would try to promote.’
Generally, the diverse views and evaluations do not surprise Alexan
Harutyunyan, He considers it is natural. Mr. Harutyunyan was surprised
only with the atmosphere over the song and the singer in Armenia
before the contest, which was exerted as pressure on the part of
specialists and political figures.
`Doing such things is merely impermissible, such phenomena do not
exist in any other country. But it’s good that these negative
evaluations perished after the results were issued and everyone saw
that what we did was not incorrect, ‘ Alexan Harutyunyan said. His
personal evaluation of Armenia’s performance at Eurovision is
positive. This is a show watched not only in Europe but also all over
the world, and only participation here is of great importance
already. This is show business, which has its own rules, which we
should follow.
`I think that what we did was not bad for our first entry, it was even
good, since many countries participating for the 40th ` 45th time did
not even enter the top ten. Our next representative will go directly
to the final. This was also a good opportunity to make whole Europe
and the world speak about Armenia. It was a chance to speak about
Karabakh, since the singer was coming from there. It was important
also for the unification of Armenia and the Diaspora,’ President of
the Council of Public Radio and Television considers.
Alexan Harutyunyan does not share the views that the voting was
politicized.
`The votes were cast in most part by young people, who are not that
politicized. Of course, the factor of being neighbors or speaking the
same language sometimes plays its role here; however, the opposite can
be noticed as well. In the semi-final we received points from Spain,
Belgium, Moldova, where there are no large Armenian communities.’
It has not been decided so far who will represent Armenia at
Eurovision next year. This time, however, different from our first
entry we have more time to work and correct the faults.
`Considerable resources were spent, which were unprecedented for
Armenia but yielded their results. It was worth doing only for the
inspiration the Armenians and Diaspora experienced,’ Alexan
Harutyunyan said.

LEGISLATORS’ OPTIMISM FADES FAST
By Sean P. Sullivan
Lakeland Regional High School
NorthJersey.com, NJ
May 25 2006
WAYNE — Student legislators met with high hopes Monday for the
first session of the 2006 Model Congress at the Business School of
William Paterson University in Wayne. Successes were few, however,
as the Senate passed only one of its six proposed bills while the
House passed four of nine.
First to be discussed in the House was a bill to commemorate the
Armenian genocide by naming April 24 “Armenian Genocide Recognition
Day.”” The House then moved on to more controversial matters,
bringing to the floor a bill dictating “ballpark” limitations on the
war in Iraq.
Many representatives-including Anthony Marzacco, Republican, 18, of
Wayne Valley High School — considered the bill unconstitutional and
warned that even if the House passed it, it would be “struck down by
the Supreme Court the first chance they get.” The bill did not pass.
The war in Iraq resonated once again on the House floor as the
Committee on International Relations presented a bill proposing
requirements for worker’s compensation benefits for all hired civilian
personnel in combat zones. Although Daniel Akkerman, Democrat, 18,
of Fair Lawn High School drummed up support for the bill as it was
presented to the House, the outspoken Marzacco came out against it,
proclaiming it incomplete.
“If you have a heart — vote for this bill,” said Akkerman in support
of the measure.
“If you have a brain – wait for the amendment,” contested Marzacco.
House Democrats and Republicans found common ground on economic issues,
however, passing two bills aimed at controlling spending. The first
was much broader, simply calling for a balanced federal budget,
while the latter more specifically sought to reduce federal debt by
restricting add-ons to spending bills not directly requested by the
president. Likewise, few representatives opposed the Committee on
Education and the Workforce (HEDU) bill requiring all U.S. citizens of
age and sound mind to draft a notarized, legally binding living will.
Aside from the two bills concerned with economic activity and the
two uncontroversial bills, the representatives found no other common
ground throughout the first session, failing to pass all other
measures proposed.
Among the ill-fated bills was legislation proposing tax breaks for
middle-class college students, a reallocation of funding provided in
the No Child Left Behind Act, and a national “obesity” tax on fast
food products, to be used in obesity education.
Said Christopher Mawson, 18, Democrat, of Lakeland Regional High School
of the latter: “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t know that fast food
is bad for them. And if not – you should go outside.”
Meanwhile, on the Senate floor, the first session saw overwhelming
failure among proposed bills, as only one was passed. The Source
of Disclosure Act, which protects journalists from revealing their
sources, presented by the Senate Judiciary Committee (SJUD), passed
narrowly, 11-10.
None of the other bills left the Senate floor. Among those that did
not pass was proposed legislation for a renewable, three-year guest
workers permit for all immigrants, which lost 14-7.
Of the more contentious bills discussed, few raised more eyebrows
than one suggesting stricter punishments for violators of immigration
laws. The Senate was split on the issue, however, as some senators
found the bill too stringent, while others considered it too lenient.
Matthew Tietjen, 18, of Clifton High School contended that it did not
provide strict enough punishments for those who cross U.S. borders
illegally. “I think death is a little extreme, but the punishment
[for illegal immigrants] should be a little more extreme. They are
a detriment to society,” said Tietjen.
No discussion was given to a bill brought forth by the Senate Armed
Services Committee (SARM) to provide bonuses to armed servicemen and
women who opted to re-enlist, most likely because it was felt that
the bill would discourage the possibility of implementation of a draft.
Similar to the House, the Senate rejected a bill mandating changes
to the No Child Left Behind Act, as well as an “All College Students
are Created Equal” bill. Both failed in the Senate and similar bills
met the same fate in the House.
The Congress’ sponsors were William Paterson University, the Nicholas
Martini Foundation, Verizon, PSE&G, the Office of the Passaic County
Superintendent of Schools and the North Jersey Media Group Foundation,
which is the charitable arm of the group. The group is the publisher of
the Herald News, The Record and more than 30 weeklies in North Jersey.

May 25, 2006
PRESS Release
Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America
H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate
6252 Honolulu Avenue
La Crescenta, CA 91214
Tel: (818) 248-7737
Fax: (818) 248-7745
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: <; 34TH PRELACY NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ASSEMBLY CONVENES AT THE NEW PRELACY BUILDING FOR THE FIRST TIME WESTERN PRELACY NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES ASSEMBLY HIGHLY PRAISED THE WORK OF THE PRELATE, AND RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS - REPRESENTATIVES CONGRATULATED THE PRELATE ON THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY OF HIS ORDINATION AND HIS 10TH ANNIVERSARY AS PRELATE - ELECTION OF GENERAL ASSEMBLY DELEGATES, AND RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS According to our Prelacy tradition, the National Representatives Assembly (NRA) convenes on the third weekend of May. In keeping with this tradition, the assembly took place from Friday, May 19, to Saturday, May 20, at the `Dickran and Zarouhi Der Ghazarian' Hall of the new Prelacy building, under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and hosted by St. Sarkis Church, with the participation of delegates, as well as representatives of the Board of Regents, school principals, and parish Board of Trustees by invitation. Also invited and in attendance were representatives from the newly established parish communities of Riverside, La Crescenta, and Las Vegas. The assembly was comprised of four sessions. The first session opened on Friday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m. with prayer and requiem service for the departed, specifically for Archbishop Ghevont Chebeyan, and for the sponsors of the hall, Mr. & Mrs. Dickran & Zarouhi Der Ghazarian. Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian read the letter of blessing from H.H. Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, directed to the Prelate and the representatives. The Catholicos, in his letter, commended the work of the Prelate and delegates, which He witnessed first hand during His Pontifical visit in October of last year, and wished them success for the future. Afterward Mr. Khajag Dikijian, member of the Central Executive Council, made remarks in which he commended the previous year's works of the Prelate, and the Religious and Executive Councils as evidenced in the annual reports given to each representative. Mr. Hrair Balian, Chairman of the Executive Council, briefly spoke of all the endeavors undertaken by the Prelacy in the past year, highlighting the Pontifical visit of His Holiness. He expressed thanks to the parishes and Prelacy friends for contributing to these successes. He then thanked the Prelate and fellow Executive Council members, wishing them all success. Mr. Sarkis Tatuigian, Chairman of the St. Sarkis Board of Trustees, expressed appreciation on behalf of the St. Sarkis Pastor and Board of Trustees for entrusting them with the task of hosting the assembly. Mr. Tatuigian subsequently invited the Prelate to deliver his remarks. The Prelate began with welcoming remarks and by giving thanks to our Lord for the successful completion of the previous year's endeavors. He specifically spoke of the Pontifical visit and the progress of the Prelacy building, stressing that these successes are not the result of a few people but rather due to the collaboration between all the parishes and Prelacy friends and sponsors. The Prelate also gave special attention to the work being done by the Christian Education Department and also of the addition of three new parishes to the Prelacy family. He concluded by wishing success to the assembly for the resolution of all the issues on the agenda, giving special attention to issues regarding our schools and education, especially since His Holiness has proclaimed 2006 to be the Year of the Armenian School. Following the Prelate's remarks the permanent divan was elected, consisting of Chairmen Dr. Garo Agopian and Mr. Roubin Gourjian, and Secretaries Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian and Mr. Hamo Kasbarian. Elections then took place for the Resolutions and Election Committee. Elected for the Resolutions Committee were Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Mr. Haigaz Terterian, and Mr. Vartan Minassian, and for the Election Committee Mr. Ara Jierian, Mr. Dajad Yeretsian, and Mr. Haroutioun Beshlian. Before the end of the first session a representative from each parish Board of Trustees, and also from the newly formed parishes, gave brief reports on the activities of their respective church. The second session opened at 6:30 p.m. of the same day. Before getting back to the agenda, the Prelate reminded the attendees of the lovely tradition of honoring a dedicated individual at every Representatives Assembly. Prior honorees include Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian and Brother Krikor Misserlian. He announced that this year, the Executive Council has decided to honor Chairman of the Prelacy Building Committee and Executive Council member Mr. Vahan Bezdikian, who has devoted his time and efforts to the building project even before he became a member of the Prelacy Executive Council. Thus, the Prelate invited Mr. Hrair Balian so that they may together present Mr. Bezdikian with the memento. Mr. Bezdikian expressed sincere thanks on this occasion and graciously accepted the memento on behalf of all the members of the Building Committee. The Divan then invited Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian to say a few words. He announced that this year's assembly coincides with the 30th anniversary of the Prelate's ordination and his 10th anniversary as Prelate. He briefly recounted the Prelate's service over the past 30 years and expressed congratulations and best wishes on behalf of all those present. He then announced that on this occasion, Mr. Ghazaros Ghazarossian, a delegate from Holy Martyrs Church, would like to present the Prelate with a ring. Mr. Hrair Balian and Mr. Khajag Dikijian congratulated the Prelate and expressed their best wishes, after which the Prelate articulated his sincere thanks to all, but especially to Mr. Ghazarossian, and highly commended the work of all the parishes and delegates, hoping that in this Year of the Armenian School that we would be blessed with a new secondary school. The assembly then returned to the agenda, with the presentation of the Prelacy financial report, and the reports of the Auditing Committee, Board of Regents, and CASPS (Committee for Armenian Students in Public Schools). ELECTION OF DELEGATES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY Taking into account that the General Assembly of the Catholicosate will take place in October of this year, the assembly had on its agenda the election of delegates to the General Assembly. The representatives elected as delegates Mr.'s Khajag Dikijian, Hrair Balian, Armand Keosian, Peklar Pilavjian, Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian, Vahan Bezdikian, Garbis Bezdjian, Boghos Sassounian, Hagop Yedalian, Garo Avakian, Noubar Demirjian, Dr. Hagop Dickranian, Dr. Garo Agopian, Khatchig Yeretsian, and Deacon Mark Shirin. The substitute delegates are Mr.'s Krikor Sulahian, Sarkis Kitsinian, and Vartan Minassian. The second session came to a close at 10:15 p.m. ELECTION OF RELIGIOUS AND EXECUTIVE COUNCILS The second half of the National Representatives Assembly began on the morning of Saturday, May 20, and concluded at 3:00 p.m. Among the various items on the agenda was the by-laws of Prelacy schools. The assembly decided that a special session would convene in four months to further examine and analyze the by-laws. Subsequently, the election of the Religious and Executive Councils took place along with the election of the Auditing Committee. The newly elected Religious Council consists of Very Rev. Fr. Muron Aznikian, Very Rev. Fr. Barthev Gulumian, Rev.'s Vahan Gosdanian, Vazken Atmajian, Ardak Demirjian, Razmig Khatchadourian, and Gomidas Torossian. The newly elected Executive Council consists of Mr.'s Boghos Sassounian, Dr. Hagop Der Megerdichian, Garbis Bezdjian, Vahan Bezdikian, Garo Avakian, Dr. Garo Agopian, Dr. Navasart Kazazian, Nerses Melkonian, Vahe Hovaguimian, Varoujan Der Simonian, and Mher Der Ohanessian. Elected for the Auditing Committee were Mr.'s Roubin Gourjian, Garo Eshgian, and Zareh Markarian. On behalf of the Divan, Dr. Garo Agopian thanked the attendees for another fruitful Representatives Assembly and wished the newly elected committee success. Closing remarks were made by the Prelate, who commended the activities of the previous Religious and Executive Councils and wished success to the newly elected councils and committees. He also thanked and commended honorary Executive Council member Mr. Noubar Chorbajian for his many years of service and support. Turning his attention to our schools, the Prelate expressed hope that our parishes and schools will do their best to honor our schools ceremoniously, especially being that His Holiness proclaimed 2006 to be the Year of the Armenian School, and also expressed hope that we would be blessed with a new secondary school in the near future. The Prelate also hoped for a closer bond between our churches and schools and for more emphasis to be placed on our youth groups. The 34th National Representatives Assembly came to a close at 2:30 p.m. with the Prelate's `Bahbanich' prayer and the collective singing of `Giligia'.