Capitol Hill marks Armenian independence anniversary

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Americans joined on Capitol Hill with eighteen members of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, the Armenian Embassy, and friends of Armenia in celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Republic of Armenia's rebirth as an independent state, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

"We were pleased to join today with so many Congressional supporters of Armenia, the Armenian Embassy, a broad cross-section of Armenian Americans, and our friends from across the foreign policy community in celebrating Armenia's rebirth as an independent state," said ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, following the event.

"This gathering - on the milestone of Armenia's 20th anniversary - served a vital purpose in marking our progress, reinforcing our shared values, and recommitting ourselves to the unfinished work that lays before us as we realize our nation's democratic and national aspirations."

The evening's program was opened and hosted by Armenian Caucus Co-Chairmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Ed Royce (R-CA). The schedule featured a moving awards ceremony, presided over by Armenia's Ambassador, Tatoul Markarian, during which he bestowed Armenia's "Mkhitar Gosh" Medal upon House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Democrat Howard Berman (D-CA) and Armenian Genocide Resolution lead co-sponsor, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), for their years of dedicated service in seeking U.S. affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and strengthening U.S.-Armenia ties.

Prayers marking the 20th Anniversary of Armenia's independence were offered by Rev. Fr. Sarkis Aktavoukian, Pastor of the Soorp Khatch Armenian Church in Bethesda, MD and Rev. Fr. Hovsep Karapetyan, Pastor of St. Mary's Armenian Church in Washington, DC.

The Republic of Nagorno Karabakh was represented by the Permanent Representative of NKR to the U.S. Robert Avetisyan.