H.E. Mr. Varuzhan Nersesyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia to the United States of America

Remarks at AMAA 100th Annual Meeting Gala

Boston, October 19, 2019

AMAA Executive Director Mr. Khanjian,

Distinguished members of the Board of Directors,

Dear members of AMAA,

I am very glad to be here with you tonight and to share the joy of the celebration.

• AMAA is one of the unique Diaspora organizations. 101 years ago when AMAA was founded in Worcester, Massachusetts right in the aftermath of the Armenian Genocide, hundreds of thousands Armenian men, women and children were still roaming in the deserts of Syria, Lebanon and different parts of Middle East suffering from hunger, poverty and the lack of any minimal conditions of life.
• 101 years ago when the founding fathers of AMAA came together in Worcester (Vuster), Massachusetts they knew that it was not going to be easy. It was not going to be easy to extend help to their suffering compatriots. But nothing could stop them. And they started this inspiring journey called AMAA. They did so and they succeeded because they had a determination and vision.
• Also 101 years ago these people came together because they were united in their faith, in their Christian faith. And they proved the Bible not only in prayer but also in their deeds.
• Thus throughout this wonderful journey AMAA has done tremendous amount of job to rescue and to help the survivors of the Armenian genocide.
• But the AMAA has redefined its mission when the independent Armenian Republic was born. Even before that. Back in 1988 when the devastating earthquake struck and destroyed the entire north of Armenia, AMAA was one of the first to reach out its compatriots.
• The AMAA stood firmly behind the independent Armenian Republic and the fight for Nagoro Karabagh liberation movement, by reaching out those in need and desperate conditions. And AMAA has created better future for Armenia by the principle of changing the world through education. I looked at AMAA map and saw that it carries out its mission in 24 countries. This is amazing.
• AMAA never rests and is always faithful to its mission. As recently as last week I received a message from Mr. Khanjyan saying that AMAA is ready to support any Armenians willing to be transferred to Armenia in the aftermath of Turkey’s recent attack on the north of Syria.
• This is deeply appreciated by the Government of Armenia. Last but not least, I would like to express my gratitude to AMMA for its support to the Embassy of Armenia and to the Permanent Mission of Armenia over the years. We deeply appreciate this.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

• All of these demonstrates that AMAA is a unique and deeply national Armenian institution, an institution that we need to be proud of. I am confident that with such a great heritage and with such a rigorous determination AMAA is going to continue confidently its mission in the 21st century.