Posted on October 29, 2019 by Armenian Assembly of America

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Armenian Genocide resolution, H.Res.296, was adopted today by an overwhelming favorable bipartisan vote of 405 to 11 in the U.S. House of Representatives, reported the Armenian Assembly of America.

“The passage of H.Res. 296 by the House of Representatives reflects the best of America. It honors a proud chapter in U.S. history of humanitarian intervention. It recalls the extraordinary contributions of America’s front-line diplomats, philanthropic leaders and relief workers in helping save a people from annihilation,” stated Armenian Assembly of America Executive Director Bryan Ardouny.

“Today’s watershed vote for human rights represents the culmination of decades of tireless work by Members of Congress, the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian American community from across the country. The purpose of this resolution is crystal clear. It formally acknowledges the Armenian Genocide. It condemns genocide denial in any form. It encourages human rights education to help prevent future genocides,” Ardouny added.

The Armenian Assembly of America has worked vigorously since the 1970s to combat the dangers of genocide denial and fully supports affirmation of the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide.

Speeches in support of the resolution were given by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD); House Rules Committee Chairman James McGovern (D-MA); House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY); House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA); Democratic Caucus Vice Chair Katherine Clark (D-MD); Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues leaders Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL); House Foreign Affairs Committee Subcommittee Ranking Member Brad Sherman (D-CA), Senior Member Chris Smith (R-NJ); Member David Cicilline (D-RI), Member Ted Lieu (D-CA), and Member Jim Costa (D-CA); Armenian-Assyrian Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA); Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR); Rep. Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA); Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI); Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX); Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY); Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-CA); Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD); and Rep. Donna Shalala (D-FL).

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

UNITED STATES HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL MUSEUM WARNS OF INCREASED SECTARIAN VIOLENCE IN SYRIA

WASHINGTON, DC — “For over nine years, Syrians have been crying out for help,” said Naomi Kikoler, Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s Simon-Skjodt Center for the Prevention of Genocide. “Syrians across the country remain at risk of mass atrocities today, including in northeast Syria, Idlib province, at Rukban camp, and in government detention centers. Every effort needs to be made to halt the commission of crimes against humanity by the Russian- and Iranian-backed Assad regime; avert forced displacement of Syrian Kurds and other communities in northeast Syria by Turkey and allow those already displaced to return; prevent the forced repatriation of Syrian refugees from Turkey; and prevent ISIS from exploiting this situation to regroup.”

“The idea that ISIS, who committed genocide and crimes against humanity, may resurge and evade justice is alarming and would perpetuate cycles of violence and instability throughout the region,” continued Kikoler.

The Museum is deeply concerned about the situation in Syria and urges the prioritization of civilian protection alongside other interests in order to save lives, advance efforts to find a durable resolution, and safeguard the security of the region and the United States. A failure to prevent mass atrocities against civilians would exacerbate the humanitarian crisis and increase the risk of future sectarian conflict and terrorism.

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum works to inspire citizens and leaders worldwide to confront hatred, prevent genocide, and promote human dignity. To learn more about the Museum’s genocide prevention efforts visit, ushmm.org/genocide.

(The above statement was posted on the USHMM website on October 21, 2019)

The Mgrublian Center for Human Rights is currently accepting applications for the 6^th annual Human Rights Student Research Fellowship Program.

Research fellows work closely with a faculty advisor on a year-long (2019-20 academic year) project related to the Holocaust, human rights, or genocide studies.   Fellows will be provided with office space at the Center and access to the Center’s library and other resources.   Each fellowship recipient will receive a $500 stipend to be used toward research materials and/or field research expenses.  Seniors working on relevant honors theses are encouraged to apply.  Past fellowship projects can be found on our website.

Application process: Submit your research proposal, resume, and transcript via our website.

Application deadline: Friday, September 27^th

Questions?  Contact Kirsti Zitar, kzitar@cmc.edu

The Mgrublian Center is now hiring Student Assistants for the 2019-20 academic year.  We are looking for creative students with strong research, writing and communication skills, and a commitment to the values of the Center to serve as Student Assistants for 2019-20.  Student Assistants will be involved in the following activities:

• Act as a liaison with the Center’s volunteer human rights task force groups
• Promote Center events on campus through creation of flyers and via social media
• Assist faculty with human rights research
• Update the Center’s library and maintain inventory
• Edit and create the Center’s quarterly Newsletter

Other responsibilities and duties will arise during the course of the school year. The approximate time commitment is 10 hours per week. We have openings for work-study AND non-work-study students.

For more information and to submit an application please view Job #2936690 in Handshake or contact Kirsti Zitar, kzitar@cmc.edu, with any questions.

This summer the Center is sponsoring 18 CMC student interns in a wide range of human rights opportunities around the globe:

Laleh Ahmad ‘20 The Enough Project – Washington, D.C.

Gabriel Blum ‘21 Riga Ghetto and Latvian Holocaust Museum – Riga, Latvia

Roxanne Camarena Castillo ‘21 Boys and Girls Club – Los Angeles, CA

Aditi Chitre ‘22 Child Family Health International – New Delhi, India

Jennifer Collao ‘21 Haysbert Moultrie, LLC – Los Angeles, CA

Jordana Deighton ‘22 Child Family Health International – New Delhi, India

Benjamin Dibble ‘20 The Enough Project – Washington, D.C.

Tallan Donine ‘21 POLIN Museum – Warsaw, Poland

Maxwell Fisher ‘21 Amnesty International – Washington, D.C.

Thomas Hagan ‘21 The Enough Project – Washington, D.C.

Sydney Heath ‘22 Claremont Canopy – Claremont, CA

Julia Hwang ‘21 Claremont Canopy – Claremont, CA

Lucie Kapner ‘22 Independent Holocaust Research – Washington, D.C. & France

Sami Murphy ‘21 Human Rights Watch – New York, NY

Dina Rosin ‘20 Orleans Public Defenders – New Orleans, LA

Anita Shenoi ‘20 The Carter Center – Atlanta, Georgia

Wendy Torres-Badajoz ‘21 Claremont Canopy – Claremont, CA

Hailey Wilson ‘22 Patriots Ghana – Accra, Ghana

Anita Shenoi ’20 — Claremont Canopy (Claremont, CA)

This past summer, Anita Shenoi interned for Claremont Canopy, a local grassroots organization that serves recently resettled refugees in the Inland Empire. Anita was attracted to Canopy’s quest to support newly arrived immigrants by providing valuable resources for education, employment, and community integration. The internship provided an active learning environment for Anita, where she was able to explore the financial logistics and other aspects of what makes Canopy successful.

Anita enjoyed spending time getting to know many of the families, sharing delicious meals together, attending community and religious events, and even dancing at a wedding reception! Asked of her experience this summer, Anita responded, “with its newly established non-profit status, Claremont Canopy is a wonderful example of a social organization that incorporates the vibrant talents of a community to integrate and uplift its newest members.”

 

Continue reading “Summer 2018 Internship Reflections”