CHELMSFORD, Mass.—Two prominent Armenians, a state representative and college educator, will be honored by the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Merrimack Valley next month for dedicated service.
State Representative Peter Koutoujian and UMass Lowell Professor Levon Chorbajian will receive the distinguished Freedom Award for their contributions to the Armenian Cause.
The event will take place Sat., Jan. 15, at 6:30 p.m. at Sts Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church, 180 Old Westford Rd. in Chelmsford.
Also being recognized that evening with community service awards will be Chelmsford artist Daniel Varoujan Hejinian, the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee of Merrimack Valley, and Armenian Genocide Education Committee of Merrimack Valley.
The event marks the 115th anniversary of the Lowell “Aharonian” ARF Committee as the first organized Gomideh in America.
“Their commitment to the Armenian Cause has been unquestionable,” said Aram Jeknavorian, ANC chairman, in describing the efforts of Koutoujian and Chorbajian. “Both men have been instrumental in promoting and defending Armenian rights through education and government. For that, they are to be admired.”
Representative Koutoujian has spent more than a decade on Beacon Hill representing the 10th Middlesex District in the Massachusetts State Legislature and has remained a strong, vocal advocate on behalf of Armenian American issues.
He is the lead sponsor of the annual Armenian Genocide commemorations at the State House and has spearheaded efforts to win approval for the Armenian Heritage Park, which will be built along the newly renovated Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway.
The 49-year-old legislator had held several leadership positions in the House of Representatives and is currently House chairman of the Joint Committee on Financial Services. He is a lifelong Waltham resident, belongs to the Knights of Vartan, and remains actively involved with the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs of America.
Chorbajian has been a sociology professor at UMass Lowell since 1970 and received his doctorate from the University of Michigan. Both parents were genocide survivors from Marash.
He is the author, translator, and editor of eight books, three of which deal with Armenian subjects, including the 1988 earthquake in Armenia. He is also certified in the Federal Immigration Court to testify as an expert witness in political asylum for cases originating in the South Caucasus.
Chorbajian is much in demand as a public speaker and continues to patronize the Merrimack Valley community when it comes to genocide commemorations. He is also a two-time Fulbright lecturer in the Republic of Armenia and the Soviet Union.
Hejinian heads a trio of community servants being singled out for their commitment in furthering the cause of Armenian Genocide recognition. He is fthe ounder and president of Peace of Art, a non-profit educational organization that uses the universal language of art to foster awareness toward the human condition and promote peaceful solutions to conflict.
The Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee has conducted annual observances for the past 20 years and donated more than $50,000 to worthy Armenian charities abroad. Accepting the award will be chairwoman Sossy Jeknavorian.
The Armenian Genocide Education Committee has been actively involved visiting high schools throughout the North Shore and giving genocide presentations to world history classes the past three years. The group was founded by Dro Kanayan, who will accept the award.
Armenian folk music will be provided by Ani Zargarian and the Arev Ensemble.
For reservations, call either Tom Vartabedian (978) 373-1654, Armen Jeknavorian (978) 256-2538, or Aram Jeknavorian (603) 345-2527, or email Ara Jeknavorian at ara.a.jeknavorian@grace.com.
Tom Vartabedian
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