| Back to Embassy Press Realeases PRESS RELEASE Embassy of the Republic of Armenia Representative Knollenberg Receives Order of Mkhitar Gosh On August 19, 2002, Ambassador Arman Kirakossian presented the Armenian Order of Mkhitar Gosh to Representative Joseph Knollenberg, Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues at a special reception held in honor of the Congressman in Detroit, Michigan. Representative Knollenberg was awarded the Order of Mkhitar Gosh 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.” In his remarks during the ceremony, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Arman Kirakossian thanked Representative Knollenberg for his leadership on the U.S.-Armenian bilateral relations, as Co-Chair of the Armenia Caucus and in the Foreign Operations Subcommittee. “Armenia has always felt the support of the United States people and their elected representatives in the U.S. Congress for Armenian issues,” Ambassador Kirakossian said. Ambassador Kirakossian expressed his confidence that the U.S.-Armenia relations will only grow stronger in the years to come. He said that the people and Government of Armenia expressed their support to the United States in the wake of September 11 terrorist attacks on this country. “Armenia has helped and is helping the United States-led campaign against international terrorism in Afghanistan,” the Ambassador noted. In conclusion of his remarks, Ambassador Kirakossian wished Representative
Knollenberg success in his re-election campaign and said, “I look
forward to working with you in the Congress in the years to come.”
The Lieutenant Governor of Michigan, members of the State Legislature,
representatives of the Armenian American political organizations attended
the reception which was held at the private residence of Mr. Edgar Hagopian,
a prominent Armenian businessman and philanthropist and a member of the
Board of Directors of the Armenian Assembly of America. It will be my honor tonight to present the Order of Mkhitar Gosh to Representative Joseph Knollenberg. In awarding the Order of Mkhitar Gosh to Mr. Knollenberg, 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 only natural that Representative Knollenberg 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. We greatly appreciate Mr. Knollenberg’s contributions to the U.S. legislation concerning Armenia in the last ten years that has had a lasting effect on Armenia. In fact, Armenia has 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. As a historian, I know that the American involvement with Armenia and Armenian issues dates back to nineteenth century when American missionaries, charity officials, and civic activists helped the struggling Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire. Hundreds of thousands of Armenians fleeing from massacres and the Genocide in the Empire found refuge in this country in twentieth century. The Armenian Americans have become loyal citizens of this country, fighting to defend its freedom and contributing to its economic, political, and cultural development. The Armenian reaction to the events of September 11 underscored the unique and human nature of U.S.-Armenian relations. 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. Last month, the Armenian city of Ararat unveiled a monument to the victims of the terrorist attacks in the United States. 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 pay tribute to Representative Knollenberg for his outstanding leadership on the U.S.-Armenian bilateral relations. The Armenian-American community has a great friend in Representative Knollenberg. His integrity and professionalism, good knowledge of economy and a strong international outlook have distinguished his career as United States Representative from Michigan. His wise leadership on Armenia-related issues in Foreign Operations subcommittee has strengthened the ties between our countries, and promoted U.S. interests in the region. So, let me once again thank the Congressman for his support of the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh, and I look forward to working with you in the Congress in the years to come. I wish you success in your reelection campaign. On behalf of the President of Armenia, I will now present you the Order of Mkhitar Gosh. |