White House vows to release Armenian Orphan Rug for display

May 1, 2014 - 11:50 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Obama Administration has advised Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) that the White House will be making the Armenian Orphan Rug - woven by young survivors of the Armenian Genocide and presented as a gift to President Calvin Coolidge in appreciation of U.S. relief efforts for the survivors of this crime - available for public display at an event to be held as early as Fall, 2014, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

The announcement was welcomed by both Congressman Schiff and Senator Markey, who had joined with Congressional colleagues in petitioning for the release of the iconic symbol of U.S. humanitarian assistance following reports that the White House had refused to allow its display at an event that was to be held at the Smithsonian Institute in December, 2013.

"Since first raising this issue with the Administration, I have worked diligently with the White House to find a way for the Ghazir rug to be sensitively and appropriately displayed,” said Rep. Schiff. “Today, I’m pleased to be able to say that planning is underway for the Armenian Orphan Rug to be displayed as early as this fall. I have worked out with the White House that the display will take place in a venue that is open to the general public, and I appreciate their willingness to place this significant artifact on display for all to see.”

Sen. Markey concurred, noting that “the Armenian Orphan Rug is an important symbol of the longstanding friendship between America and Armenia. Displaying this significant piece of history will serve as reminder that we will never forget the Armenian Genocide and highlight the continued need to work towards its proper recognition. I commend President Obama and the White House for working with me and my Congressional colleagues to ensure that this rug is given the historic exhibition is truly deserves.”

The news was also hailed by Congressman David Valadao (R-CA), who, along with Congressman Schiff, is lead sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.227) and led a bipartisan Congressional effort to secure the release Armenian Orphan Rug. “For over a decade, Armenian – American organizations have been asking the White House and the State Department to display the Ghazir Rug publically," said Rep. Valadao. "Today’s announcement by the White House is an important first step towards ensuring the Armenian Genocide is recognized by our current Administration. My Congressional District, CA-21, is home to a large population of Armenian-Americans, who have a strong presence in our community. As their Representative, I am pleased the Administration has decided to fulfill our request to publicly display the rug. The Armenian Orphan Rug is a shared piece of American and Armenian history that belongs to the American people."

ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian warmly welcomed the longstanding efforts of Rep. Schiff, Senator Markey, and Rep. Valadao to seek the public, prominent display of the rug, but noted that vigilance remains the key to ensuring that the rug presentation does, in fact, take place.

"It's a testament to the Turkish government's continuing grip over the Obama Administration's policy on the Armenian Genocide that it has taken years of Congressional and community effort to secure the public display of a rug woven by the child survivors of this crime - a unique artifact that, it must be stressed, is a piece of U.S. property and a meaningful part of American history," said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "We applaud the efforts of Congressman Schiff, Senator Markey, Rep. Valadao and others to secure the public display of this rug and will continue to track this matter closely in the coming weeks and months."

The Armenian Genocide

The Armenian Genocide (1915-23) was the deliberate and systematic destruction of the Armenian population of the Ottoman Empire during and just after World War I. It was characterized by massacres and deportations, involving forced marches under conditions designed to lead to the death of the deportees, with the total number of deaths reaching 1.5 million.

The majority of Armenian Diaspora communities were formed by the Genocide survivors.

Present-day Turkey denies the fact of the Armenian Genocide, justifying the atrocities as “deportation to secure Armenians”. Only a few Turkish intellectuals, including Nobel Prize winner Orhan Pamuk and scholar Taner Akcam, speak openly about the necessity to recognize this crime against humanity.

The Armenian Genocide was recognized by Uruguay, Russia, France, Lithuania, Italy, 45 U.S. states, Greece, Cyprus, Lebanon, Argentina, Belgium, Austria, Wales, Switzerland, Canada, Poland, Venezuela, Chile, Bolivia, the Vatican, Luxembourg, Brazil, Germany, the Netherlands, Paraguay, Sweden, Venezuela, Slovakia, Syria, Vatican, as well as the European Parliament and the World Council of Churches.