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Back to Embassy Press Realeases PRESS RELEASE June 14, 2002 Ambassador Kirakossian Presents Order of Mkhitar Gosh to Rep. Frank Pallone On June 13, 2002, Co-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Armenian Assembly of America Annie Totah hosted a reception in honor of Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Arman Kirakossian, Nagorno Karabakh Republic Foreign Minister Naira Melkoumian, Representative Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD), Ambassador Michael Lemmon, Dean of the Foreign Service Institute and the former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, as well as prominent representatives of the Armenian Assembly of America and the Armenian National Committee of America were among the guests who gathered to pay tribute to Congressman Pallone for his relentless efforts and activities on behalf of the Armenian issues. During the ceremony, Ambassador Kirakossian presented to Rep. Frank Pallone the Order of Mkhitar Gosh, awarded to him by Armenian President Robert Kocharian for "outstanding contribution to the development and strengthening of the amicable relations between the United States and the Republic of Armenia." The Order of Mkhitar Gosh is named for a noted twelfth-century noted Armenian priest, writer, and a codifier of the Armenian civil and canon laws. In awarding this Order to him, the Armenian President acknowledged Representative Pallone's contributions to the U.S. legislation concerning Armenia in the past ten years have had a lasting effect on Armenia and In his address, Ambassador Kirakossian expressed Armenia's deepest appreciation
for the invaluable assistance and generous support rendered by the United
States people and their elected representatives in the Congress during
the devastating earthquake in 1988 and since regaining independence in
1991. "The success of the US assistance programs in Armenia has been
made by many individuals, but I want to single out Representative Pallone
for his outstanding leadership on the US-Armenian bilateral relations,"
said the Ambassador, citing Rep. Pallone for his integrity and professionalism,
strong environmental credentials and international outlook Following is the text of remarks by Ambassador Kirakossian: Representative Pallone, It will be my privilege tonight to present the Order of Mkhitar Gosh to Representative Frank Pallone. In awarding the Order of Mkhitar Gosh to Mr. Pallone, Armenian President Robert Kocharian cited his "outstanding contribution to the development and strengthening of the amicable relations between the United States and the Republic of Armenia." It is very appropriate that Representative Pallone receives the Order of Mkhitar Gosh, named after a twelfth-century Armenian priest, writer, and lawmaker. Mkhitar Gosh's main accomplishment was codification of the Armenian national laws. Obviously, Mr. Pallone's contribution to the U.S. legislation concerning Armenia in the last ten years is having a lasting effect on Armenia. We have always felt the support of the United States people and their elected representatives in the U.S. Congress for Armenian issues. The people of Armenia also recall with gratitude the invaluable assistance rendered during the 1988 earthquake in Armenia and since regaining independence in 1991. We are forever grateful to the American people for their generous help to our nation. Our hearts went to the American people during the tragic days of last September. Armenia has helped and is helping the United States-led campaign against international terrorism in Afghanistan. The U.S.-Armenia relations will only grow stronger in the years to come. We are looking forward to continuing political and security dialogue, developing military cooperation, promoting the bilateral trade and commercial ties, which benefit American and Armenian companies, and other issues of bilateral interest, such as Armenia's accession to WTO, and establishment of a free trade arrangement between out countries. The success of the U.S. assistance programs in Armenia has been made possible by many individuals, but I want to single out Representative Pallone for his outstanding leadership on the U.S.-Armenian bilateral relations. As I said, Mr. Pallone is a frequent guest in Armenia and Artsakh. The Armenian-American community has a great friend in Representative Pallone. His integrity and professionalism, strong environmental credentials and international outlook have been evident throughout his long and distinguished service to the American people, as a Long Branch City Council member, a state senator in New Jersey, and as United States Representative from the Sixth District in New Jersey. With three college degrees and an impeccable career of public service, Mr. Pallone can serve as a role model for citizens of Armenia and the United States. Tonight we have another distinguished visitor here, the Foreign Minister of Nagorno Karabakh, Naira Melkoumian. I must say that Representative Pallone was also instrumental in securing an appropriations bill for Nagorno Karabakh in 1997, and in the years since. The Nagorno Karabakh conflict settlement, genocide recognition, regional cooperation in the South Caucasus, and Armenia's relations with its neighbors are issues on the Congressman's agenda. So, let me once again thank the Congressman for his support of the Republic
of Armenia and Artsakh, and, may I add, we look forward to working with
you in the Congress in the years to come. On behalf of the President of
Armenia, I will now present you the Order of Mkhitar Gosh. |