MONTVALE, NJ—On the afternoon of Friday, October 21, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia met with national and local legislators at a special reception held in the spacious home of Hrair and Silva Baronian. About one hundred enthusiastic Armenian community leaders and individuals were also in attendance to greet His Holiness and listen to his inspirational message.

Accompanying the Catholicos were the two Prelates of the Eastern and Western United States, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan and Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, the V. Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, Vicar General of the Eastern Prelacy, and Judge Sarkis and Mrs. Ardemis Teshoian.

Following warm greetings from the host, Hrair Baronian, Armenian National Committee (ANC) Chairman Aram Hamparian related warm regards sent by New Jersey Senator Jon Corzine, and skillfully introduced the special guests. Mayor Anthony Suarez of Ridgefield, in special welcoming remarks, presented a proclamation to His Holiness on behalf of the people of Ridgefield, New Jersey, and wished him a successful visit.

The Catholicos told the Mayor that Ridgefield had an important place in his heart, because during his years in the United States as a student, “I visited and preached at Sts. Vartanantz Armenian Church many times,” he said.

Congressman Robert Menendez, the third highest ranking Democratic member of the U.S. House of Representatives, who for the last 13 years has defended the interests of Armenia and the Armenian people in Congress, warmly welcomed the church leader, declaring, “I’m in awe of what you are doing in interdenominational efforts, in bringing the youth into the church, and in your work for peace and justice as leader of the World Council of Churches. I rejoice in your work, because it transcends your church.”

GENOCIDE RESOLUTION NEEDS TO BE VISION OF U.S.
Focusing his comments on the Armenian Genocide resolution, which recently passed the International Relations Committee of the House of Representatives, Congressman Menendiz stated, “Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it.” This resolution “ultimately needs to be the vision of the United States. Armenia has made enormous economic, political and social progress,” he said, adding that the House International Relations Committee has earmarked $75 million next year for Armenia.

“America’s friends should be honest,” he continued. “It is wrong for Turkey to harm Christian churches.” In referring to Azerbaijan’s refusal to let an important railroad line traverse Armenian territory, the Congressman adamantly stated, “The U.S. should never give one dollar to a country where the railroad is not permitted to go through Armenia. You know of my unswerving support for Armenian causes. It will continue in the future,” he stated to thunderous applause.

Congressman Steven Rothman described Catholicos Aram I as “one of the foremost church leaders in the world, and for Armenians around the world.” He revealed to the delight of the audience that his initial introduction to Armenians was through string cheese, and then related how he grew up with the Shahinian family as neighbors. “The stories of their family suffering became part of me. As a Jew, I identify with the aspirations and sufferings of the Armenian people,” he said.

A member of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee responsible for foreign financial assistance, Representative Rothman asserted that Congress to date has appropriated a total of 510 million dollars to Armenia since its independence. “I pledge my unyielding commitment to Armenia,” he declared to loud applause.

Congressman Scott Garrett, another strong advocate of Armenian causes in the House of Representatives, announced that he “looks forward to visiting Armenia.” He also voiced his support for the Genocide resolution, for economic assistance to Armenia, and for the regional railroad to pass through Armenian territory.

In his introduction of the Vehapar, Archbishop Oshagan Choloyan, reminded the gathering that New Jersey is not unfamiliar for His Holiness who was for many years “a spiritual servant, homilist and spokesman here. It was a very unique joy for all of us when Vehapar was elected as the Moderator of the World Council of Churches for a second unprecedented term. Vehapar is a champion in pursuing peace with justice for Armenians and for the world,” he stated.

MOVE FROM AWARENESS TO BRIDGE BUILDING
In his eloquent address, His Holiness stated, “The Armenian cause is not exclusive to Armenians. It is a human cause for justice, human rights and reconciliation.” He recalled the words of President Jimmy Carter that U.S. existence lies in human rights. “This is basic and integral for the U.S. in all of its dimensions and manifestations,” he said.

“The Armenian cause is human and sacred,” he continued. “We should be committed to all people’s human rights and reconciliation. The ANC is doing that, but I propose that you move from awareness to bridge building and include non-Armenians in the ANC. Armenians are an integral part of the United States. We cannot live in isolation. America is a mosaic of diversity. We need to look at the Armenian cause in this framework. Armenians must bring their contributions through this community building process.”

Voicing his expectation that the U.S. Congress will adopt the Genocide resolution, His Holiness stated unequivocally that this is an “important step in order to prevent new genocides.” He advocated reconciliation between Armenians and Turks, and declared that the United States “has an instrumental role to play toward this goal.”

Following His Holiness’s hopeful message, Hrair Baronian presented Vehapar with a framed tapestry of a gold cross, as the guests individually greeted the Catholicos with respect and appreciation.

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