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Morgenthau: ‘The world has paid a heavy price for not paying attention to the Armenian»Genocide.’

NEW YORK—Lifelong humanitarian Alice Movsesian and famed human rights defender Robert Morgenthau and the Morgenthau family were honored by Armenian-American community leaders and activists from throughout the New York metropolitan area, southern states, and the Midwest at the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region 8th Annual Banquet held on Dec. 7 at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park in New York.

The evening was a tribute to the growing voice of Armenian Americans in the civic arena, with elected officials and community stalwarts emphasizing the key role the ANCA and its grassroots network play in representing Armenians’ views on core concerns, ranging from justice for the Armenian Genocide, an independent Artsakh, a strong, prosperous, and democratic Armenia, to support for Armenians in the Middle East.

“One of our greatest strengths lies in the diversity of our ANCA supporters. We are here in this room with quite the mix: varying ages, different political and economic backgrounds, and hail from different countries,” said the evening’s master of ceremonies, Dr. Garo Nazarian, a prominent member of New York community with a long track record of humanitarian efforts in Armenia. “Collectively we make the ANCA an incredible organization. We can foster an environment in which each individual matters, every story is read, and every voice is heard. This all contributes to the long-term success of the Armenian National Committee of America.”

Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone cited the need for continued activism by the Armenian community, especially in educating the new Members of Congress about the Armenian Cause. “I want to urge you to continue to be involved, not only in the way you are tonight but also financially, in terms of petitions, writing letters, coming down to Washington and meeting with your Representatives. The fact that Armenia is in a hostile neighborhood is still very true. The biggest concern now is the continued aggression from Azerbaijan, not only aggressive statements, but aggressive actions.”



ANCA Freedom Award honoree Robert Morgenthau: Third generation of a legendary family

Shant Mardirossian, the chairman of the Board of the Near East Foundation, offered a moving introduction of ANCA Eastern Region Freedom Award recipient Robert Morgenthau and the Morgenthau family for their decades-long efforts to raise the public’s awareness of the atrocities of the Armenian Genocide.

“The name ‘Morgenthau’ is synonymous with ‘public service,’” Mardirossian stated in his remarks. “In searching the ledgers of New York City history or, indeed, American history, one is hard pressed to find a family that better embodies a commitment to social justice. The Morgenthau family has garnered accolades, inspired debates, and fueled discussions for generations. They have been at the center of global and local social change for over a century. In that time they have impacted and saved countless lives.”

Morgenthau came up to the podium to a standing ovation and warmly greeted those in attendance. His speech was marked by enthusiasm and eloquence. “This award is particularly meaningful because of the upcoming anniversary of the Armenian Genocide,” began Morgenthau. “I know my grandfather would also have been proud that you have asked me to be with you tonight. It demonstrates once again that Armenians do not forget their friends, even until the third generation.”

“It is important to understand that the world has paid a heavy price for not paying attention to the Armenian Genocide,” Morgenthau added. “If there had been a greater outcry and condemnation of the Armenian Genocide, perhaps Hitler would not have proceeded with his plan to kill the Poles and the Jews in the land that he intended to occupy.”

Robert Morgenthau was born in New York City in 1919 into a highly regarded political family. His grandfather, Henry Morgenthau, Sr., was the United States ambassador serving in the Ottoman Empire during World War I and is regarded as the most prominent contemporary American politician to speak against the Armenian Genocide. A lawyer by training, Robert Morgenthau continued his family’s tradition of public service, serving as district attorney of New York’s Manhattan Borough from 1975 to 2009, making him the second longest-serving district attorney in United States history.





ANCA Vahan Cardashian Award honoree Alice Movsesian: A tireless humanitarian

Dr. Antranig Kasbarian, a member of the ARF Central Committee of Eastern United States and a former editor of the Armenian Weekly, reminisced about the involvement of ANCA Eastern Region Vahan Cardashian Award recipient Alice Movsesian in the Hai Tahd movement since the 1950’s in her home state of New York. “Today I am very happy to introduce this year’s recipient of the Cardashian Award. She’s someone close to my heart, someone with whom I have worked on numerous projects on a variety of subjects. She’s someone who never says ‘no,’ who always seems to be there, and has been involved in the Hai Tahd movement from the earliest days, even before the days of the Armenian National Committee.”

A humble and deeply moved Movsesian began her remarks noting, “We have come a long way since the early 1950’s. The ANC has been doing an amazing job furthering the Armenian Cause. … This [award] belongs to all of us who have worked tirelessly for many decades. When you do work from your heart, it is not really work. When you love and unwaveringly believe in the Cause, it is not work. And I am honored to receive an award for the work that I have done, as I have done it from the heart—never wavered—and I loved every second of it.”

Alice Movsesian was born and raised in New York City. After an extensive career, she retired as a CFO for a conglomerate of men’s and women’s fashion companies. Service to her community was a constant parallel to her growing business career. Immediately after the devastating Spitak earthquake in 1988, she worked closely with the late Arthur Halvajian, providing emergency medical assistance to hundreds of victims and facilitating the adoption of 14 Armenian children in the United States through the Medical Outreach-Eastern Division.

One of her greatest achievements was coordinating the open-heart surgeries for some 400 Armenian children who traveled to the United States for these life-saving procedures. By 1991, she and her team of dedicated volunteers had created a pediatric heart department at the Michaelian Institute in Armenia. In 1993, they established the Nork Marash Medical Heart Center, which performs surgery for both children and adults.

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World-renowned Kevork Mourad and Sami Merdinian: A breathtaking combination of live music and art

The evening gala featured a moving spontaneous live art performance by world-renowned artist Kevork Mourad and violinist Sami Merdinian. The performance was a fusion of music and painting in a unique style that captivated the attention and imagination of the audience.

Kevork Mourad holds a MFA degree from the Yerevan Institute of Fine Arts in Armenia, and currently lives and works in New York. His most recent exhibits were group shows at White Box Gallery in New York City and at the World Bank in Washington, D.C.

With his technique of spontaneous painting—a collaboration in which art and music develop in counterpoint to each other—Mourad has shared the stage with world class musicians, among them Yo-Yo Ma, Kinan Azmeh, Ezequiel Vi?ao, Tambuco, Brooklyn Rider, Mari Kimura, Ken Ueno, and Liubo Borissov. He has performed at many renowned venues, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Chelsea Museum of Art, the Bronx Museum of Art, the Rhode Island School of Design, the Chess Festival of Mexico City, and the Armenian Center for Contemporary Experimental Art in Yerevan.



ANCA and community leaders spotlight the power of grassroots advocacy

A consistent theme in remarks offered throughout the evening was the expansion of the ANCA’s dedicated network of grassroots supporters throughout the Eastern United States.

“The struggle to achieve international recognition, restitution, and justice for the crimes of the Armenian Genocide is not a matter of merely providing some form of justice for past crimes. It is essential in giving the current Armenian republics the opportunity to survive and thrive in the geopolitical realities of today,” noted ANCA Eastern Region Board member James Sahagian. “For how can Armenia possibly feel secure with a non-repentant Turkish successor state which still honors the organizers of the Armenian Genocide by naming hospitals, streets, and plazas after those same pashas who ordered the mass murder of Armenians, Greeks, and Assyrians, in today’s modern Turkey? The Armenian pursuit of justice is not an idealistic dream; it is a practical necessity for the survival of our nation. It is in this context that the ANCA works every day.”

ARF Eastern Region Central Committee chair Richard Sarajian talked about the importance of activism and involvement in American civic life. “The job is not finished. We need to strive every day to continue the fight for the recognition of what happened and to continue to serve and protect the rights of the independent Republic of Armenia and the people in Nagorno-Karabagh. Everyone has to call their Congressmen, visit their Congressmen, call the U.S. government, and be a grassroots activist, because that is what will make us successful. ”

Nazarian navigated the evening with skill and eloquence. NYC-based singer and songwriter Hooshere Bezdikian kicked off the evening with the American and Armenian national anthems. Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, Prelate of the Eastern Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America, provided a moving invocation. Very Rev. Fr. Gabriel Adde from the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch later offered the evening’s benediction and spread the message of justice, faith, and brotherly relations between the Armenian and Assyrian peoples.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Rev. Fr. Mamigon Kiledjian of the Armenian Diocese of Eastern United States; Hagop Der Katchadourian of the ARF Bureau; ARF Eastern Region Central Committee members Richard Sarajian (chair), Dr. Antranig Kasbarian, and Aram Hovagimian; ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian; Ambassador Zohrab Mnatsakanyan from the Armenian Permanent Mission to the UN; Suzanne Azarian of the Armenia Relief Society; Sarah Leah Whitson, the executive director of the Middle East and North Africa Division at Human Rights Watch; author and novelist Nancy Krikorian; Zaven Khanjian, the executive director of the Armenian Missionary Association of America; Khoren Bandazian, chairman of Armenia Fund and the Armenian Genocide Centennial Commemoration Committee of Eastern United States; Dr. Ara Chalian, chairman of the ARF Armenian Genocide Centennial Committee; and Armenian Bar Association Board members Gary Moomjian and Edvin Minassian.

Attendees were also treated to two special videos highlighting the activities of the ANCA Eastern Region in advancing the priorities of the Armenian-American community, which were played during the evening’s intermission. The night began with an elegant cocktail reception and silent auction at 4 p.m. With more than 40 auction items, attendees were able to bid on a variety of gifts, from cruise tickets to Armenian paintings.

The ANCA Eastern Region Banquet was organized by Stephen Mesrobian (chairman), Melanie Mesrobian (Silent Auction chair), Neiri Amirian, Hooshere Bezdikian, Taline Chalian, Anny Deese, Dr. Anthony Deese, Tamar Nahabedian, James Sahagian, Armen Sahakyan, Karine Shnorhokian, Simone Soultanian, and Anahid Ugurlayan. AYF of New Jersey and New York volunteers also helped with the function.

Efforts are already underway to plan next year’s gala, to take place in the fall of 2015.

Pictures from the ANCA Eastern Region Banquet, taken by Jose Castillo Pazos and Justin Kaladjian, are available on the ANCA Facebook page or at www.anca.org/erbanquet/banquet14/photos.

The complete video from the ANCA-ER Banquet, as well as news coverage by Ardzagang TV of NY and Armenian Public TV, will be posted to the ANCA YouTube page youtube.com/ancagrassroots.

The post Movsesian, Morgenthau Offer Moving Remarks at ANCA-ER Salute to Civic Activism appeared first on Armenian Weekly.


Morgenthau: ‘The world has paid a heavy price for not paying attention to the Armenian»Genocide.’ NEW YORK—Lifelong humanitarian Alice Movsesian and famed human rights defender Robert Morgenthau and the Morgenthau family were honored by Armenian-American community leaders and activists from throughout the New York metropolitan area, southern states, and the Midwest at the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region 8th Annual Banquet held on Dec. 7 at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park in New York. Alice Movsesian receiving the Cardashian Award The evening was a tribute to the growing voice of Armenian Americans in the civic arena, with elected officials and community stalwarts emphasizing the key role the ANCA and its grassroots network play in representing Armenians’ views on core concerns, ranging from justice for the Armenian Genocide, an independent Artsakh, a strong, prosperous, and democratic Armenia, to support for Armenians in the Middle East. (L-R) Robert Morgenthau receiving the Freedom Award on behalf of the Morgenthau family from Dr. Garo Nazarian “One of our greatest strengths lies in the diversity of our ANCA supporters. We are here in this room with quite the mix: varying ages, different political and economic backgrounds, and hail from different countries,” said the [...]

The post Movsesian, Morgenthau Offer Moving Remarks at ANCA-ER Salute to Civic Activism appeared first on Armenian Weekly.


Morgenthau: ‘The world has paid a heavy price for not paying attention to the Armenian»Genocide.’ NEW YORK—Lifelong humanitarian Alice Movsesian and famed human rights defender Robert Morgenthau and the Morgenthau family were honored by Armenian-American community leaders and activists from throughout the New York metropolitan area, southern states, and the Midwest at the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region 8th Annual Banquet held on Dec. 7 at the Ritz-Carlton Battery Park in New York. Alice Movsesian receiving the Cardashian Award The evening was a tribute to the growing voice of Armenian Americans in the civic arena, with elected officials and community stalwarts emphasizing the key role the ANCA and its grassroots network play in representing Armenians’ views on core concerns, ranging from justice for the Armenian Genocide, an independent Artsakh, a strong, prosperous, and democratic Armenia, to support for Armenians in the Middle East. (L-R) Robert Morgenthau receiving the Freedom Award on behalf of the Morgenthau family from Dr. Garo Nazarian “One of our greatest strengths lies in the diversity of our ANCA supporters. We are here in this room with quite the mix: varying ages, different political and economic backgrounds, and hail from different countries,” said the [...]

The post Movsesian, Morgenthau Offer Moving Remarks at ANCA-ER Salute to Civic Activism appeared first on Armenian Weekly.


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