Category Archives: Politics
President Trump Statement on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day
By Taniel Koushakjian
FLArmenians Political Editor
Today, President Donald J. Trump released his administration’s first statement on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, which is commemorated every April 24th by Armenians around the world. Using language invoked by presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush before him, President Trump did not use the term genocide to refer to the 1915 mass killings of Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish government during World War I.
“Today, we remember and honor the memory of those who suffered during the Meds Yeghern, one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century. Beginning in 1915, one and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in the final years of the Ottoman Empire,” the White House statement reads.
[Click here for a complete list of U.S. Presidential Statements on the Armenian Genocide]
“At a time when Christians and minority communities continue to be in imminent danger and under constant attack, the President’s statement fails to stand up for human rights and is inconsistent with American values, and represents the same kind of capitulation to Turkish authoritarianism which will cost more lives,” stated Van Krikorian and Anthony Barsamian, co-chairs of the Armenian Assembly of America.
Earlier this month, 84 Members of Congress sent a letter to President Trump urging him to reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide. “By commemorating the Armenian Genocide, we renew our commitment to prevent future atrocities,” the letter reads. Florida Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Ted Deutch (D-FL) were among the signatories.
“Asked why Trump decided not to use the term, White House press secretary Sean Spicer said the statement is “consistent with statements that have been put out for at least several of the last administrations,”” The Hill reported.
Trumped employed the Armenian phrase “Meds Yeghern” to describe the genocide, essentially using the Armenian equivalent of the English phrase. However, unlike, Presidents Obama and George W., Trump did not make a campaign pledge to recognize the Armenian Genocide as President.
Ronald Reagan was the last U.S. President to recognize the Armenian Genocide back in 1981.
Below is the full statement released by the White House:
Statement by President Donald J. Trump on Armenian Remembrance Day 2017
Today, we remember and honor the memory of those who suffered during the Meds Yeghern, one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century. Beginning in 1915, one and a half million Armenians were deported, massacred, or marched to their deaths in the final years of the Ottoman Empire. I join the Armenian community in America and around the world in mourning the loss of innocent lives and the suffering endured by so many.
As we reflect on this dark chapter of human history, we also recognize the resilience of the Armenian people. Many built new lives in the United States and made indelible contributions to our country, while cherishing memories of the historic homeland in which their ancestors established one of the great civilizations of antiquity.
We must remember atrocities to prevent them from occurring again. We welcome the efforts of Turks and Armenians to acknowledge and reckon with painful history, which is a critical step toward building a foundation for a more just and tolerant future.
Florida Armenians Congratulate Elected Officials in Boca Raton
Councilwoman-Elect Andrea O’Rourke
BOCA RATON, FL – Florida Armenians would like to congratulate Boca Raton Mayor Susan Haynie and Councilman Scott Singer on their re-election. We would also like to congratulate Councilwoman-Elect Andrea O’Rourke, who was successful in the Seat B race.
Haynie, Singer, and O’Rourke were each elected to a three year term in the March 14, 2017 municipal election.
We look forward to working with them, and the entire Boca Raton City Council, in the years ahead.
Florida Armenians Announce Endorsements for Boca Raton 2017 Municipal Elections
By FLArmenians Editorial Board
BOCA RATON, FL – Florida Armenians is pleased to announce our endorsements in the upcoming Boca Raton municipal elections. The City of Boca Raton 2017 Municipal Election will be held on Tuesday, March 14, 2017. Polls will be open 7:00 am to 7:00 pm. Electors of the City will vote for candidates for Mayor, City Council Seat A, and City Council Seat B.
Here are the candidates running:
MAYOR OF BOCA RATON:
Susan Haynie (Incumbent)
Alfred Zucaro
BOCA RATON CITY COUNCIL SEAT A:
Scott Singer (Incumbent)
Patti Dervishi
BOCA RATON CITY COUNCIL SEAT B:
Emily Gentile
Andrea Levine O’Rourke
Andy Thomson
(Not sure if you are a registered voter? Visit www.pbcelections.org to check your status and find your polling station. To view a sample ballot for the City of Boca Raton, click here.)
Florida Armenians endorses Susan Haynie for Mayor, Scott Singer for City Council Seat A, and Emily Gentile for City Council Seat B.
Mayor Haynie and Councilman Singer have been friends of the Armenian community of Boca Raton for many years. Last year, Mayor Haynie, Councilman Singer, and others on the City Council introduced and passed a resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide.
In addition, both Haynie and Singer have served the city well in their first term in office and deserve re-election. Haynie has helped guide the city, manage sustainable growth, and boosted a pro-jobs environment. Singer has been a strong advocate for citizen activism and participation in government, as evidenced by his many in-person and telephone town-halls.
In the open race to succeed term-limited Councilman Mike Mullaugh, Emily Gentile is the clear choice. She has the strongest record of city involvement and activism – having served in leadership positions on over a dozen city boards, civic groups, and local charities – unlike her opponent Andrea O’Rourke who has limited community involvement, and Andy Thomson who moved to Boca Raton 7 months ago and hasn’t served on a single city board. O’Rourke and Thomson represent two extremes of the anti-growth and anti-development vs pro-growth and pro-development political spectrum, respectively; whereas Gentile takes a balanced approach, mindful of all parties and interests, and will add decades of knowledge and experience in community affairs and problem solving to the city council.
Emily Gentile and Rev. Fr. Paren Galstyan at St. David Armenian Church
Councilman Mullaugh, as well as former Massachusetts Senate Majority Leader Linda Melconian who helped spearhead the state’s Armenian Genocide education curriculum, have endorsed Emily Gentile for Boca City Council, among others. She recently visited St. David Armenian Church in Boca Raton, FL and met with dozens of community members.
Florida Armenians is proud to endorse these great community leaders and looks forward to working with them in the years to come.
Florida Armenians 