Samuel Zeligian Mardian and wife Acabi, with their four children, Aram,
Sam, Agnes, and Florence. A baby, Robert, was born the second week of my arrival in
Pasadena. (Samuel Mardian was the sponsor of the Malian family and their gang. He
became in later years a widely-known building contractor. At present, 1978, Aram, Sam
and Bob have a multi-million-dollar construction company in Phoenix, Arizona, with
Aram as president. Sam was the mayor of Phoenix for two terms. Robert Mardian was
Assistant Attorney General under John Mitchell in President Nixon's cabinet.)
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Armenian Assembly of America - Press Center - Jim Renjilian
Armenian Assembly of America - Press Center - NR# 1997-57: "Armenian Assembly Press Release
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission '97 Has a Dramatic Impact on Diaspora Armenian
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 1997
Web: www.aaainc.org CONTACT: Hrant Jamgochian
Phone: (202) 393-3434
E-mail: info@aaainc.org
The dramatic changes Jim Renjilian saw on his first visit to his historic homeland Armenia left him astonished and a "changed man." "I knew Armenia has numerous economic problems, yet everyone I met was a strong testament to the Armenian spirit and the will to survive. After being there and seeing the country first-hand, I cannot help but be optimistic about Armenia's future" said Renjilian, a long-time board member and former government affairs chairman of the Armenian Assembly of America. Renjilian is a Maryland native, who was a member of the Assembly's Mission '97. Over 100 participants made the 10-day visit, the largest by the Assembly to date.
The most striking contradiction in Renjilian's mind was the visit to a small school in Gumri. The school was built from metal shipping containers, heating and electricity are sporadic. "The children were so bright, beautiful and articulate. They sang songs for us and recited poetry in Armenian. But, one couldn't help but be horrified by the school's primitive conditions," stated Renjilian.
Renjilian was also deeply touched by his visit to the Genocide Monument and Museum. "The pain of remembering the tragedy of 1915 was great. The visit to the museum was even more emotional as I saw the horrific pictures of what the Turkish government attempted to do to my people," said Renjilian. "Yet, I was so inspired by what the monument symbolized, the triumph of the Armenian spirit and people."
Another of Renjilian's lasting memories was the sight of hundreds of construction cranes scattered throughout Armenia-most of them at a standstill. "No matter where we went, these cranes appeared to be in abundance. Yet, none of them were ever in operation," said Renjilian. He was disheartened by the number of buildings that stood unfinished and at the same time the thousands of people who are unemployed.
The highlight of the trip for Renjilian, and for many mission participants, was the visit to Etchmiadzin, the birthplace of the Armenian Church. "Even as a Protestant, I couldn't help but be moved by the 1,700 years of history speaking to me from the stones of Etchmiadzin," said Renjilian. Vehapar Karekin I Catholicos of all Armenians held a special luncheon for the group during their visit. The Vehapar thanked the Armenian Assembly for organizing such a pilgrimage to the homeland. The Archbishop of Shushi Barkev Martirosian also addressed the group and expressed his excitement at their presence during Armenia's "second baptism," as Communist suppression of religion is no longer an obstacle which was even more evident in Nagorno Karabagh under Azeri rule.
The Armenia '97 mission also took part in the Yerevan ceremonies commemorating the sixth anniversary of Armenia's independence. Mission members attended the President's reception for government officials and foreign dignitaries and later viewed a musical extravaganza and fireworks display in Yerevan's Republic Square. The group also met with several government officials including outgoing Senior Presidential Advisor Jirair Libaridian, President Levon Ter-Petrossian and Prime Minister Robert Kocharian.
The Armenian Assembly of America is a nationwide nonprofit organization which promotes public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mission '97 Has a Dramatic Impact on Diaspora Armenian
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 14, 1997
Web: www.aaainc.org CONTACT: Hrant Jamgochian
Phone: (202) 393-3434
E-mail: info@aaainc.org
The dramatic changes Jim Renjilian saw on his first visit to his historic homeland Armenia left him astonished and a "changed man." "I knew Armenia has numerous economic problems, yet everyone I met was a strong testament to the Armenian spirit and the will to survive. After being there and seeing the country first-hand, I cannot help but be optimistic about Armenia's future" said Renjilian, a long-time board member and former government affairs chairman of the Armenian Assembly of America. Renjilian is a Maryland native, who was a member of the Assembly's Mission '97. Over 100 participants made the 10-day visit, the largest by the Assembly to date.
The most striking contradiction in Renjilian's mind was the visit to a small school in Gumri. The school was built from metal shipping containers, heating and electricity are sporadic. "The children were so bright, beautiful and articulate. They sang songs for us and recited poetry in Armenian. But, one couldn't help but be horrified by the school's primitive conditions," stated Renjilian.
Renjilian was also deeply touched by his visit to the Genocide Monument and Museum. "The pain of remembering the tragedy of 1915 was great. The visit to the museum was even more emotional as I saw the horrific pictures of what the Turkish government attempted to do to my people," said Renjilian. "Yet, I was so inspired by what the monument symbolized, the triumph of the Armenian spirit and people."
Another of Renjilian's lasting memories was the sight of hundreds of construction cranes scattered throughout Armenia-most of them at a standstill. "No matter where we went, these cranes appeared to be in abundance. Yet, none of them were ever in operation," said Renjilian. He was disheartened by the number of buildings that stood unfinished and at the same time the thousands of people who are unemployed.
The highlight of the trip for Renjilian, and for many mission participants, was the visit to Etchmiadzin, the birthplace of the Armenian Church. "Even as a Protestant, I couldn't help but be moved by the 1,700 years of history speaking to me from the stones of Etchmiadzin," said Renjilian. Vehapar Karekin I Catholicos of all Armenians held a special luncheon for the group during their visit. The Vehapar thanked the Armenian Assembly for organizing such a pilgrimage to the homeland. The Archbishop of Shushi Barkev Martirosian also addressed the group and expressed his excitement at their presence during Armenia's "second baptism," as Communist suppression of religion is no longer an obstacle which was even more evident in Nagorno Karabagh under Azeri rule.
The Armenia '97 mission also took part in the Yerevan ceremonies commemorating the sixth anniversary of Armenia's independence. Mission members attended the President's reception for government officials and foreign dignitaries and later viewed a musical extravaganza and fireworks display in Yerevan's Republic Square. The group also met with several government officials including outgoing Senior Presidential Advisor Jirair Libaridian, President Levon Ter-Petrossian and Prime Minister Robert Kocharian.
The Armenian Assembly of America is a nationwide nonprofit organization which promotes public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues."
James Renjilian Obituary
http://www.amaa.org/AMAA%20News%20-%20Aug-Sept-Oct%202002%20-%20Vol.%20XXXVI,%20No.%204.pdf
AMAA NEWS, AUG/SEPT/OCT 2002 23
O B I T U A R I E S
James Renjilian
James Renjilian,
long an active and
vibrant member of
the Armenian community,
died on
May 21, 2002 in
G e r m a n t o w n ,
Maryland of complications
from a
stroke. He was 64.
Born a refugee in Athens, Greece on December
17, 1937, Jim emigrated to the United
States with his mother, Verjin Giragossian
Renjilian, in 1939. His father, the Rev. Mihran
Renjilian, had come to the U.S. some months
earlier with Jim’s older siblings Armen and
Anne.
Reunited in the U.S., the Renjilians lived
first in Washington, D.C. but eventually settled
in Troy, N.Y. where Rev. Renjilian led the
United Armenian Calvary Church. There, Jim
attended Troy High School and Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute.
After serving as an intelligence officer in
the Army, Jim attended George Washington
University law school. Following a brief stint
with General Electric in the Boston area, Jim
worked as an attorney at the United States
Patent Office in Washington, D.C. He remained
with the Federal government throughout
his career, serving at the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Federal Home
Loan Bank Board, and the Department of Energy.
Jim’s life is warmly remembered by family
and friends for four overarching themes: his
devotion to family; his commitment to community;
his pride in his Armenian heritage; and
his dedication to his Christian faith. He was
also known to many as a particularly avid collector
of toy soldiers, having amassed hundreds
of figures that he displayed prominently in his
home. Finally, he enjoyed a reputation as a
keen and passionate observer of political affairs.
Jim’s many community and civic interests
included serving as an elder of Southminster
Presbyterian Church and, later, Rockville
(Md.) Presbyterian Church. He was also an
active adult troop leader in the Boy Scouts of
America. In addition, Jim played a prominent
role in the Armenian Assembly, where he was
especially focused on achieving official recognition
from the United States government
of the Armenian Genocide.
Funeral services were held at Rockville Presbyterian
Church, Rockwville, MD on Friday,
May 24, 2002 followed by the interment at
Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington D.C.
Memorial contributions were made to the
AMAA.
Jim is survived by his sister, Anne Kalfayan,
of Marco Island, FL; his brother Armen
Renjilian of Albany, N.Y.; his son Christopher
Renjilian of Potomac, MD; his daughter Julia
Luther of North Bethesda, MD; and his son
Timothy Renjilian of Atlanta, GA. He also
leaves behind three granddaughters whom he
dearly adored.
Additional information about James
Renjilian can be found on the Internet at
www.lifefiles.com.
AMAA NEWS, AUG/SEPT/OCT 2002 23
O B I T U A R I E S
James Renjilian
James Renjilian,
long an active and
vibrant member of
the Armenian community,
died on
May 21, 2002 in
G e r m a n t o w n ,
Maryland of complications
from a
stroke. He was 64.
Born a refugee in Athens, Greece on December
17, 1937, Jim emigrated to the United
States with his mother, Verjin Giragossian
Renjilian, in 1939. His father, the Rev. Mihran
Renjilian, had come to the U.S. some months
earlier with Jim’s older siblings Armen and
Anne.
Reunited in the U.S., the Renjilians lived
first in Washington, D.C. but eventually settled
in Troy, N.Y. where Rev. Renjilian led the
United Armenian Calvary Church. There, Jim
attended Troy High School and Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute.
After serving as an intelligence officer in
the Army, Jim attended George Washington
University law school. Following a brief stint
with General Electric in the Boston area, Jim
worked as an attorney at the United States
Patent Office in Washington, D.C. He remained
with the Federal government throughout
his career, serving at the Securities and
Exchange Commission, the Federal Home
Loan Bank Board, and the Department of Energy.
Jim’s life is warmly remembered by family
and friends for four overarching themes: his
devotion to family; his commitment to community;
his pride in his Armenian heritage; and
his dedication to his Christian faith. He was
also known to many as a particularly avid collector
of toy soldiers, having amassed hundreds
of figures that he displayed prominently in his
home. Finally, he enjoyed a reputation as a
keen and passionate observer of political affairs.
Jim’s many community and civic interests
included serving as an elder of Southminster
Presbyterian Church and, later, Rockville
(Md.) Presbyterian Church. He was also an
active adult troop leader in the Boy Scouts of
America. In addition, Jim played a prominent
role in the Armenian Assembly, where he was
especially focused on achieving official recognition
from the United States government
of the Armenian Genocide.
Funeral services were held at Rockville Presbyterian
Church, Rockwville, MD on Friday,
May 24, 2002 followed by the interment at
Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington D.C.
Memorial contributions were made to the
AMAA.
Jim is survived by his sister, Anne Kalfayan,
of Marco Island, FL; his brother Armen
Renjilian of Albany, N.Y.; his son Christopher
Renjilian of Potomac, MD; his daughter Julia
Luther of North Bethesda, MD; and his son
Timothy Renjilian of Atlanta, GA. He also
leaves behind three granddaughters whom he
dearly adored.
Additional information about James
Renjilian can be found on the Internet at
www.lifefiles.com.
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