May they find your peace and salvation. You have known and continue to know every single one of them. Whether it is Joseph in Pharaoh's dungeon or Hagar in the parched desert or Gregory the Illuminator in the Corvit. May today's Joseph's Hagars and Gregories be freed from bondage. And we also pray for this blessed country we call home, the United States of America. Through all the turmoil and challenges of this era, may it continue to be a beacon of hope, a safe haven, and a shining light to the world for decades to come. We gathered here today, senators, representatives, citizens, and clergy, place our trust in you, oh heavenly father, and as Jesus taught, raise our voices in the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit. Foreign Amen. Thank you. Thank you, Father.
I would be honored if you would join me in the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the stands one nation andice for all. If you would bear with me for one minute and continue standing if you can. We will now have renditions of the American and Armenian national anthem sung by the children of St. Stevens Armenian Elementary School, the St. Stevens Saturday Armenian School and the Arabuni Armenian School. Say, can you see by the dawn Early life around we and the [Music] tw stars through the parless light around our we streaming. And all [Music] is the first single through the night that was still there. Oh, save us as our [Music] spo for the land of the free and the [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] My [Music] mother is our [Music] you might No [Music] king of [Music] love [Music] might be [Music] falling [Music] And I love the falling [Music] shing for You see all of [Music] the you [Music] Thank you children for those beautiful renditions and may you all please now have a seat.
Before we begin our commemoration, on behalf of the commemoration committee and my fellow elected officials, I want to offer our deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis. Now more than ever, we should turn to faith for guidance, and we wish the Pope eternal peace. We too offer our thoughts to Congressman Jim McGovern and his family on the passing of their daughter, Molly. Congressman McGovern has long been a friend to our Armenian causes in Washington and we all grieve with his family during this difficult time. Friends, family, clergy members, colleagues, the beautiful little cherubs that we just heard singing. Fellow Armenians and Armenians in spirit and in heart, on behalf of the Boston Armenian Commemoration Committee, I welcome you to the 110th anniversary commemoration of the Armenian genocide. From helping host this commemoration over the last decade, I can say that many of you are familiar, but for those that don't know me, my name is David Meredian.
I'm the state representative of the ninth Wister district, the wonderful towns of Grafton, Northridge, and Upton. and I've had the honor of serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives since 2015. As I proudly stand here serving as MC of this commemoration and have done so over that past decade, today still continues to be an emotional honor for me to welcome you here. It is emotional because I am an Armenian elected. I'm one of two Armenians to serve currently in the Massachusetts State House and I do not take that for granted, but I am immensely proud of that. While there are many distinguished guests here today, one special person is unfortunately not able to make it. There was a thought that our dear friend Mary Vartanian, the 110year-old Armenian genocide survivor, was going to be here, but she's feeling a bit under the weather and not able to join us.
As she's turning 111 this August, we wish her well and hope to see her here next year to recognize her remarkable resil resiliency and her enduring spirit. I have frequently heard Yes, please. I have frequently heard the quip, look at your life, look at your choices. And I hope we can all do a bit of personal inventory today as the commemoration unfolds. As we hear comments from our speakers or a moving musical selection that might just speak to us, please think about what really matters. In a world where we are each pulled in so many different directions, where outside distractions can seem so significant, we have all made the choice to be here today. Not just as friends or loved ones or community members or colleagues, but to join as one unified message that we will never forget. Look at your life. Look at your choices.
My friends, thank you for choosing to ensure that history will never forget. Welcome everyone to this powerful and solemn commemoration of the Armenian genocide. Today we come together not just to remember but to bear witness. We stand in the shadow of a horrific atrocity, one that began in 1915 and led to the systematic annihilation of over 1 million Armenians by the Ottoman Empire. This was not just a tragedy or a massacre or whatever other terms people want to use. To many, it was a brutal attempt to erase a people, their culture, and their history. But to us, it was a brutal attempt to erase our people, our culture, and our history. It was a genocide. But despite the violence, despite the attempts to silence our loved ones, our Armenian spirit endures. We remember those who were lost, those whose names may never be spoken again, whose stories may have been buried, who but whose legacy still lives in the hearts of their descendants, and whose stories still echo in our souls.
As we gather here, let us not only honor the victims, but also commit ourselves to fight for justice and recognition. Let us raise our voices in defiance against denial and silence. Let this day remind us that the Armenian genocide is not a distant past, but a vital part of our shared human history. A history that we must carry with us so that we can ensure such horrors are never repeated. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank you all for taking the time to be here today, for standing here, for remembering and for speaking out. The truth may never be forgotten. We have here today representatives and senators that I'm proud to call my colleagues, co-workers, and friends who'll be hearing from within the program. These are elected officials who might have an R or D next to their name, but you will not hear partisan pandering.
You'll hear passionate perseverance. You will not hear division. You will hear unity. When the time is right to do what is right, a letter does not define you, nor does it define your character. These elected officials stand with their constituents. They stand with us, helping raise our collective voice. One such colleague who I serve alongside with distinction is Representative Dave Rogers of Belmont. Representative Rogers has served the 24th Middle Sex District since 2012 and currently serves as chair of the joint committee on higher education. Our friend, Representative Rogers.
[Applause] Well, good morning everyone and uh I want to join my colleague Representative Meridian in welcome you to welcoming you to our beautiful state house. Uh it's good to be with you and um as we reflect on this dark chapter in history, we're reminded of the importance of standing together against hatred, against bigotry, and against oppression in all its forms. No matter your background or your history, or whether you trace your lineage to Armenia, our job as elected officials is to oppose injustice everywhere. And that's why I'm so glad to see many of my fellow elected officials uh here today. And I'd like to uh introduce them. Uh if you'll bear with me. Um first, Representative um Joe McGonagal is here. Um, Representative Priscilla Susa, uh, Representative Mike Soder, uh, former Representative Rachel Capillian, uh, former representative of Middle Sex County Sheriff Peter Kusian, um, former governor's counselor, Marilyn Dey, um, Diddier Moyes, the president of Belmont Against Racism, and Cindy Row, the president and CEO of the Jewish Alliance for Law and Social Action.
And uh if by chance um oh also former representative Canwell is here, Jim, good to see you. And um also, although he needs no introduction, please join me in thanking uh Representative David Meridian for the amazing job he does to put this together. So without further ado, Representative Meridian. Thank you for those very kind remarks, Representative. I appreciate your commitment and passion to supporting our heritage. Since running for elected office in 2020, Representative Steve Owens has been steadfast in his support of his Armenian constituents. Serving as state representative of the 29th Middle Sex District, he has served on many committees, including as the vice chair of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts, and Cultural Development, our friend, Representative Steve Owens. Good morning, everybody. Uh, welcome to the people's house. Uh, my name is Steve Owens. I have the distinct honor and pleasure of uh, representing East Watertown as well as parts of Cambridge and the rest of Watertown.
But East Watertown, the beating heart of the Armenian diaspora in New England. Um, it is a place where the Armenian genocide is not something that just happened 110 years ago. Uh but it's someplace that lives the history that lives in our people, our neighbors, our streets, our monuments. This is something that we remember just by by living uh living in the neighborhood. It's great to see so many of my friends, neighbors, and colleagues here. And thank you again to Rep. Meridian for bringing us all together. Um I have also uh the pleasure of representing uh St. Stevens uh as part of my district and I want to thank especially uh our musicians uh today and I would ask the children to look around uh look around the room today uh because it's not often that you get to come uh come to the state house uh into into the house chamber and see everyone come together uh whether they are left or right uh whe whatever their political persuasion might be um this is what government can do when we all work together.
Um, we can honor the real history um of of the Armenian people and of our nation. Uh, we can do it without two sides, you know, shouting at each other uh like you might see on the news. Um, this is what government is for. And what I would uh like to do is bring forth uh words from our governor Mora Healey and present the proclamation. This is okay. Uh, so this is a proclamation from uh, Governor Healey. Whereas April 24th, 1915 is recognized, you guys are going to have to forgive me. Okay. Whereas April 24th, 1915 is recognized as the beginning of a mass genocide of the Armenian population in the Ottoman Empire, the first genocide in the 20th century. And whereas Armenian families were uprooted from their ancestral homeland and brutally exposed to varied indignities resulting in more than half of the Armenian population killed.
And whereas we consider these atrocities against the Armenian people to be repulsive and abhorentt in civilized society. And whereas Armenians of American Armen Americans of Armenian descent have contributed to the quality of life in the United States and Massachusetts in the best traditions of our nation and state in times of war and peace. And whereas the Armenian citizens around the world and of Massachusetts are dedicated to honoring the memory of the brave men and women who died. And whereas our thoughts offered in memory of the Armenian martyrs of 1915 will serve to remind everyone that persecution, torture, and killing must cease forever. Now therefore, I, Mora Thihily, governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim April 24th, 2025 to be Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day and urge all the residents of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Thank you. And I'll pass it back to uh Rep. [Applause] Meridian. Thank you, Rep. Owens. It's always a pleasure to work with you and your staff on such a meaningful day for all of us. Another individual who it's such a pleasure to work with and their staff for today to make today possible is no stranger to all of us. It's Senator Will Brownsburgger. He served in this very chamber from 2007 through January of 2012. He served the Suffach and Middle Sex district from 2012 through today in the upper chamber and has the distinction of being the president prom of the Senate. Our friend Senator Brownsburgger. Thank you, Representative Meridian. I do have the physical proclamation that I'm about to present. The words are in front of me already. It's a great honor for me to be part of this solemn commemoration and to be part of remembering our commitment to justice.
So the proclamation that I have is it's actually in fact a resolution a joint resolution of the House and Senate adopted by both branches commemorating the the Armenian American Community of the Commonwealth, the Armenian Heritage Foundation, Friends of the Armenian Heritage Park, and former State Representatives Rachel Caprellian and Peter Katujin on the occasion of the commemoration of the Armenian genocide. Whereas the American Armenian community of the Commonwealth will come together on April 25th, 2025 at the Massachusetts State House for an event commemorating the Armenian genocide and celebrating the contributions of Armenianameans to the Commonwealth. And whereas the American Armenian community of the Commonwealth advocated for and established Armenian Heritage Park in the city of Boston on May 22nd, 2012 to celebrate the important and enduring contributions of the Armenian-American community and honor the victims and survivors of the American gen of the Armenian genocide. And whereas the Armenian Heritage Foundation was founded in 2004 with a mission to establish Armenian Heritage Park and together with Friends of Armenian Heritage Park has continued to support Armenian Heritage Park, celebrate Armenian culture and cultural diversity, spread appreciation of the Republic of Armenia, build community and raise awareness of the Armenian genocide and other genocides.
And whereas Friends Armenian Heritage Park has shown a commitment to furthering the mission of the park by providing public programming that celebrates togetherness in the park's vibrant spaces. And whereas the advocacy of former state representatives Rachel Caprillion and Peter Kujan was instrumental in securing vital legislative support for the Armenian Heritage Park. Be it hereby resolved that the Massachusetts General Court hereby commends the Armenian American Community of the Commonwealth, the Armenian Heritage Foundation, Friends of American Heritage Park, and former State Representatives Rachel Caprillion and Peter Kujan on their work to promote public knowledge of the contributions of Armenian Americans and the Armenian genocide by establishing Armenian Heritage Park and supporting community engagement and Be it further resolved that a copy of these resolutions be transmitted forth with by the clerk of the Senate to the Armenian American Community of the Commonwealth, the Armenian, the Armenian Heritage Foundation, friends of the Armenian Heritage Park, and former state representatives Rachel Capriian and Peter Kujan, and it's my privilege to thank them both for their incredible leadership on this occasion.
Thank you. Thank you. Representative [Applause] Owens. Thank you, Senator Brownsburgger, for your leadership on this important day. It is now my pleasure to invite members of the late speaker George Cavarian's family uh for the George Cavarian Memorial Scholarship. If you could come up, please.
[Applause] Good morning everyone. Before I begin, I would like to acknowledge something that weighs on my heart today. For the first time, we are missing two very special people in my life, my life. My father, Jack, and my mother, Dorothy. They have never missed one of these ceremonies. They are home today wishing that they could be here, and I know they're watching with pride, with love, and with the memory of a remarkable man we're here to honor. There were two George Cavarians. One of them is standing here before you now. And as you can properly tell, I wouldn't fit into the other one's shoes. Not physically and certainly not politically. And the truth is not many people today could. The George Cavarian I was named after my uncle was a giant not just in stature but in spirit. He was not a selfish man. He didn't seek the spotlight for himself.
He deeply genuinely cared about people. people of all walks of life, every race, every background, every political party. I believe that compassion came from our family's past, a story of survival and quiet strength. My grandmother Eliza once told me how she and her siblings escaped the Armenian genocide. A Turkish farmer, a close friend of my greatgrandfather, Kevor, risked everything to help them. Day after day, he urged my greatgrandfather to let him smuggle my grandmother and her siblings to Aleppo, Syria. He had been hearing rumors of what was coming, and after days of pleading, my greatgrandfather finally agreed. Most Armenian families were not so fortunate. In our case, we could have been sent on the death marches to the Derzor Desert in Syria, where so many of our people perished in the heat, starvation, and brutality. But because of one man's courage, my grandmother and her siblings escaped that fate.
On the third day, he came with a wagon and a donkey, and he laid down burlap sacks and hid the children beneath them. With hay, he piled on top. At the border, the guards jabbed the pitchforks into the pile, and the youngest child, Cordin, just six years old, didn't make a sound. But when the farmer returned to the border on his way home to Antup, the guards discovered what he had done and shot him in the head. Our family made it through. They survived. They arrived in Aleppo where my grandmother waited for an arranged marriage and the ch chance to rebuild a life. Today they'd be called refugees or illegal immigrants, but all they wanted to was to live. And today we watch the news and we see so-called illegal immigrants being rounded up and sent away to places like El Salvador or even Guantanamo.