Armenian National Committee of America Executive Director Aram Hamparian offered this comment following his visit to the White House display of the Armenian Genocide Orphan on November 18th.
“Today’s White House display of the Armenian Orphan Rug is a testament to the generous spirit of the American people, whose unprecedented humanitarian assistance efforts saved hundreds of thousands of survivors of the Armenian Genocide – including the Armenian orphans who meticulously crafted this unique artifact of American and Armenian history. Unfortunately, the display’s description – using evasive and euphemistic language – deprives this profoundly important work of art of its moral and historical meaning. It also deprives viewers of the opportunity to learn about the Armenian Genocide and draw lessons from this experience to prevent future atrocities. “
“We thank Congressman Schiff and Valadao and all their colleagues who helped make this display possible, and whose efforts are already sparking national and international attention to this still unpunished crime. We remain troubled that on the eve of the Armenian Genocide Centennial, Turkey’s gag rule is still in force and remain committed to a truthful and just international resolution of this crime.”
The ANCA joined Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressman David Valadao (R-CA), Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), Congresswoman Katherine Clark (D-MA), Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA), Congressman James McGovern (D-MA), and Congressman John Sarbanes (D-MD) as well as the Armenian Assembly of America and Armenian Rug Society at a press conference marking the opening of White House display of the Armenian Orphan Rug.
