LOS ANGELES–The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors and the Los Angeles City Council commemorated the 91st anniversary of the Armenian genocide in separate sessions during the week leading up to April 24–reported the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR).
On Tuesday–April 18–Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Mayor Michael Antonovich presented scrolls to leaders of the Armenian American community in commemoration of the Armenian genocide. The Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 24–2006 as the "Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide of 1915 through 1923." Among those present were ANCA-WR board chairman Steven Dadaian and ANCA-WR director Armen Carapetian.
Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti invited Armenian American community leaders to Council Chambers on Friday–April 21–to present the City Council’s resolution on the anniversary of the Armenian genocide. Councilmembers Tony Cardenas–Wendy Greuel–Bill Rosendahl–and Dennis Zine made commen’s in honor of the 1,500,000 Armenian men–women–and children who perished at the hands of Ottoman Turks.
Council President Garcetti–in his introduction of the resolution–stated "The only way to heal–not only for Armenia’s–but indeed the Turks and the whole world–is to embrace that it happened."
ANCA-WR board member Souzi Zerounian joined the Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles Gagik Kirakossian in thanking the Los Angeles City Council for commemorating the Armenian genocide.
"We gather today not to speak about the denial of truth–but the denial of justice," said Zerounian.
A special reception was held following the official ceremony in City Hall. Council President Garcetti and Dadaian spoke extensively on the need fight against Turkey’s shameful denial of the Armenian genocide. The event was broadcast on television station LA 35.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices–chapters–and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world–the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.