Hye Tad Evening 2012: Sassounian to Keynote, Local Heroes Balabanian and Tour-Sarkissian

Dear Friends,

We are pleased to announce that TV commentator, syndicated columnist, and human rights activist Harut Sassounian will be the keynote speaker at this year's Hye Tad Evening on Saturday, March 3, 2012. In addition, we will be honoring David Balabanian and Paul Tour-Sarkissian as our "Local Heroes" for their individual contributions that helped to secure the Mt. Davidson Cross where the Armenian-American community gathers to commemorate the Armenian Genocide annually.

Harut Sassounian is the publisher of the The California Courier newspaper and his weekly political commentaries, translated into half a dozen languages, are reprinted in publications around the world and posted on countless websites, including the Huffington Post. As President of the United Armenian Fund, a coalition of the six largest Armenian-American organizations, he managed the procurement and delivery of over $600 million of humanitarian aid to Armenia during the past 22 years. As Senior Vice President of Kirk Kerkorian's Lincy Foundation, Sassounian administered $240 million for infrastructure projects in Armenia. From 1978 to 1988, he served as a human rights delegate at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland and played a leading role in the recognition of the Armenian Genocide by the U.N. Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities in 1985. Sassounian has authored several volumes in English and Arabic regarding genocide and international affairs. He is decorated by the President and Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the heads of the Armenian Apostolic and Catholic Churches, and is the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor. Sassounian will be sharing his insights on recent developments in France and other aspects of the fight for Armenian Genocide recognition and justice.

A landmark event for the San Francisco Armenian-American community, the annual Hye Tad Evening brings together hundreds of individuals who support the ANC's efforts to advance the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues. Past keynote speakers have included former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia John Evans, former Foreign Minister of Armenia Raffi Hovanissian, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, U.S. Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Hrant Dink, and Regip Zarakolu.

We hope you will join us at Saroyan Hall, 825 Brotherhood Way in San Francisco on Saturday, March 3, 2012 for this year's Hye Tad Evening. Cocktail hour will be at 6:30 pm followed by the formal program at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $125 for adults and $75 for students. You may purchase tickets by emailing mail@ancsf.org or calling (415) 387-3433.

We look forward to hearing from you and to seeing you at Hye Tad Evening 2012.

Sincerely,

Armenian National Committee
San Francisco Bay Area
51 Commonwealth Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94118
Tel: 415-387-3433
mail@ancsf.org
www.ancsf.org