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Fund for Armenian Relief
Media Release
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Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR)
Press Office
630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 889-5150; Fax: (212) 889-4849
email: press@farusa.org
web: www.farusa.org
blog: farusa.wordpress.com
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His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, will preside over the FAR
Tribute Gala to honor Dr. Edgar M. Housepian
This January, as the
Fund for Armenian Relief continues to celebrate 20 years of providing strength
and opportunity to the people of Armenia, the organization will honor one of
their noble and extraordinary founders, Dr. Edgar M. Housepian.
A tribute committee
chaired by Dr. Tavit Najarian was formed to organize the commemoration on
January 15 at a gala held at Cipriani Wall Street in lower Manhattan. Those who
attend will be blessed with the presence of His Holiness Karekin II, the Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All
Armenians, who will preside over the event.
Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Eastern), highlighted the occasion. "Let me say how
deeply grateful we are that His Holiness Karekin II will be gracing us with his
presence on this special occasion," he said. "For the past ten years, since his
pontificate began, Vehapar has been the symbol of everyone's hopes and
aspirations for Armenia, and he has been the major force in realizing countless
humanitarian and spiritual objectives among the people of our young republic.
It is so fitting to have our Catholicos among us, presiding over us, as we
honor a visionary figure, Dr. Edgar Housepian, and honor, too, the past and
future of the Fund for Armenian Relief."
The son of two
notable members of the Armenian community, Dr. Housepian had an extraordinary
career as a prominent neurosurgeon at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Now
retired, Dr. Housepian is the vice chairman of FAR's board of directors and the
chair of FAR's Medical Committee. He also carries on humanitarian work as the
Special Advisor for International Relations at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical
Center.
When, in 1988, the
earth shook Gyumri and Spitak to their cores, Dr. Housepian took it upon
himself to mobilize an all-out relief effort. Together with the late prominent
builder and philanthropist Kevork Hovnanian and Archbishop Torkom Manoogian, he
gathered supplies needed in the earthquake ravaged region and flew to the
motherland to witness the impact of the disaster firsthand.
They saw the tragedy
and knew that its impacts would last much longer than after the news faded from
the headlines. Armenia would need continued assistance from its brothers and
sisters in the Diaspora. It was from this realization that the Fund for Armenian
Relief was born.
Initially
functioning as a relief organization, over the past 20 years FAR has fully
supported Armenia through its transition to a market democracy since the fall
of the Soviet Union. FAR is now one of the most effective development organizations
in Armenia, as well as a proud partner of the international community and the
Armenian people.
A true visionary,
Dr. Housepian has helped to lead the organization as it has developed life changing programs in education,
child protection, social services, and, in particular, medical education.
Dr. Housepian is a
strong proponent in this realm. He spearheaded FAR's Continuing Medical
Education (CME) program, which gives Armenian physicians the opportunity to
continue to enhance and refine their skills. He is also responsible for
rebuilding the National Medical Library, the primary resource for Armenia's
medical community.
In another step
toward fostering sciences and the arts in Armenia and thwarting the brain
drain, Dr. Housepian also helped to establish the Armenian National Science and
Education Fund (ANSEF), which provides grants to Armenians engaged in
environmental and scientific research, archeology, and education, who would
otherwise have to leave their home country to pursue their work. ANSEF has
since raised over one million dollars for such research in Armenia.
"This valued undertaking remains
a shining example of his dedication to the preservation of Armenia's reputation
and prominence as a center of excellence in scientific research and
innovation," said Dr. Najarian, the
co-founder of ANSEF.
"Through his activities at FAR,
Dr. Housepian has touched the lives of so many in Armenia in his modest and
dignified mien," continued Dr. Najarian.
He also cited the following quote by the English poet Samuel Taylor
Coleridge to define Dr. Housepian; "He is the best physician who is the most ingenious inspirer of hope."
Through everything -
even the heartbreak, destruction and debris of the earthquake and the war - Dr.
Housepian has always retained a belief in the resilience and strength of the
Armenian people. For this, he continues to dedicate himself to providing opportunity
and hope to the motherland.
Archbishop Khajag
Barsamian also expressed his deep
feelings about Dr. Edgar Housepian.
"In spite of all his
tremendous accomplishments as a world-class neurosurgeon, Dr. Edgar Housepian
remains a quiet and private man. I know he prefers to keep to the background,
and perform his duties quietly and unassumingly," he said. "But he is truly the
best that our community represents - and he carries forward a legacy of service
he inherited from his parents. As we honor him on January 15, we will also be
paying tribute to the remarkable achievements of the Fund for Armenian Relief,
which has focused the compassion of people like Dr. Housepian toward Armenia,
and has allowed them to share their expertise with the people of our homeland."
And for this, he is
beloved by so many.
"Edgar Housepian is a truly unique individual," said
FAR Board Chairman Randy Sapah-Gulian. "Not only is he a distinguished surgeon,
family man, and humanitarian, he is a source of inspiration and a model for all
who wish to make a difference in this world. I can think of no better
individual to recognize and honor."
Mr. Sapah-Gulian also extolled the fortune of having His Holiness Karekin II host the evening. "It
is indeed a remarkable privilege and a great honor that the Catholicos will preside
over a most auspicious event," he said. "This will be a very special evening,
one in which we will all be able to truly see how the selflessness and passion
of one man can impact the well being of our most beloved Armenia."
Funds from Dr. Housepian's anniversary gala will support the
Dr. Edgar M. Housepian Medical Education Fund, which will continue to establish
Armenia as an international center for medical education and research, and will,
in essence, give the Armenian people the tools they need to succeed.
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About FAR
Since its founding in response to the 1988 earthquake, FAR has served hundreds of thousands of people through more than 220 relief and development programs in Armenia and Karabagh. It has channeled more than $265 million in humanitarian assistance by implementing a wide range of projects including emergency relief, construction, education, medical aid, and economic development.
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For more information on FAR or to send donations, contact us at 630 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10016; telephone (212) 889-5150; fax (212) 889-4849; http://farusa.org; e-mail press@farusa.org.
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