NEW YORK, NY- The Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region announced the honoree for its Vahan Cardashian Award to be presented at the Fourth Annual Banquet and Awards Program to take place on Saturday, December 4, 2010. The ANCA Eastern Region will host the event at the Crowne Plaza at the Crossings in Warwick, Rhode Island.

As a key part of the banquet’s awards program, the Vahan Cardashian Award will be presented to Tatul Sonentz-Papazian, who has dedicated a lifetime of activism to the ANCA at both local and leadership levels.

Sonentz-Papazian has had a prolific career in service to the Armenian Cause. He is director of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation and First Republic of Armenia Archives, based in Watertown, Massachusetts. He is the former editor of the Armenian Review and has been a contributor to the Armenian Weekly for more than 50 years. He currently directs the Publications Department of the Armenian Relief Society. Additionally, he is author and translator of several books on Armenian poetry and literature.

“We are pleased to honor Tatul Sonentz-Papazian with the Vahan Cardashian Award,” said ANCA ER Chairperson Stephen Mesrobian. “He has repeatedly demonstrated the power of grassroots education and activism. His broad knowledge of Armenian history and politics has enhanced his advocacy. His contribution to the ANC and the Armenian community are an inspiration.”

The Vahan Cardashian Award is given annually to an ANCA supporter who demonstrates longstanding dedication and active involvement in the Armenian-American community and its issues. The award is named for Yale-educated lawyer Vahan Cardashian who set aside his successful New York practice to dedicate himself to the establishment of the American Committee for the Independence of Armenia (ACIA), predecessor organization to the Armenian National Committee, and to advocate for the plight of the Armenian nation.

The evening will begin with a silent auction and cocktail reception at 6:30 pm, followed by dinner and awards program at 8 pm. For more information and reservations, please contact the ANCA ER at erbanquet@anca.org or call 917-428-1918.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working through a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the US and around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues.

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