E.P. Legislator Recalls Armenian Genocide

East Providence first-term Rep. Katherine S. Kazarian, a fourth-generation Armenian-American, was given the honor of commemorating the Armenian genocide of 1915 with a resolution among her colleagues in the RI House of Representatives last week.

“I am deeply saddened by the terrors that led my ancestors to this country,” Kazarian said on the House floor. “Yet, I am grateful for the chance to be here today in the House chamber so that we may preserve the memory of their sacrifice and, thereby, work to prevent such atrocities in the future.”

Many from the Armenian-American community were present in support of the resolution and the chamber’s acknowledgement of the 98th anniversary of the Armenian genocide.

The genocide resulted in the death of 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923, according to the Armenian National Institute in Washington D.C. It is estimated that close to two million Armenians were living in the Ottoman Empire just prior to World War I when the Turkish government subjected its Armenian population to deportation, expropriation, abduction, torture, massacre and starvation.

Kazarian, who represents District 63, also had the honor on the same day of serving as the master of ceremonies for a special commemoration at Providence City Hall. The program included a candlelight march from Saints Vartanantz Armenian Apostolic Church to City Hall, a Kamancha presentation by David Ayirian and a musical presentation from vocalist Shant Eghian.

Kazarian said she hopes to remind others of the strength and resilience of the human spirit. Americans must always keep faith that there are good people in the world who will band together in their greatest hours of darkness.

“While Wednesday was mainly about the Armenian community, it was also about our capacity to stay strong for each other in the face of terror,” she said. “I can’t help but think of the tragedies that have occurred this year: the Boston marathon bombings, the Sandy Hook killings … and America remains united and hopeful for the future.

"Armenians all over the world still remember the massacre and honor our ancestors 98 years after it all began," she said. "Certain atrocities may never be forgotten, but we must always carry the stories of the past in our hearts so that we may trudge forward with more patience and wisdom than those who came before us.”