LOS ANGELES–Los Angeles City Council commenced its daily session last Wednesday with a special ceremony in remembrance of the 1.5 million martyrs of the Armenian Genocide.
Armenian community members packed the City Council chambers as Councilmember Jackie Goldberg presented a commemorative proclamation to Kourken Khanjian–a Genocide survivor and life long activist for the Armenian Cause. Khanjian was accompanied at the podium by Garo Ispenjian–Chairman of the ANC Hollywood Chapter and Father Vasken Atmajian of Saint Garabed Armenian Apostolic Church of Hollywood.
After the presentation–Father Atmajian was provided the opportunity to address the Council on behalf of the Armenian American community of Los Angeles–"Dear friends–as we enter a new century–we realize that moral values are decreasing and people are becoming more selfish and materialistic. As leaders of this generation–it is our duty to teach our children how to help each other and also teach them how to defend other’s rights–freedom and liberty."
Father Atmajian added "We extend out heartfelt gratitude to the City Council and leadership of the City of Los Angeles for providing the Armenian American community this opportunity to share and commemorate our ancestor’s Genocide."