BeaconMediaNews.com
6 | may 12, 2014 - may 18, 2014
Gubernatorial candidate Tim Donnelly Congresswoman Judy Chu, Sierra Madre opposes ban on confederate flag Mayor John Harabedian salute a National Treasure of the Armenian Nation
-Courtesy Photos
The California Assembly Monday passed legislation that would ban the state from selling or displaying the Confederate flag, or any similar image. Republican gubernatorial candidate Tim Donnelly was the sole vote in opposition. Donnelly, of Twin Peaks near Lake Arrowhead, said the bill violated the 1st Amendment and “would silence free speech.”
“We shouldn’t be here picking the kind of speech that we like. I abhor racism but the concept that in a country that was founded on the right of free speech ... that we are going to ban certain types of speech is antithetical to the 1st Amendment,” Donnelly said on the floor of the Assembly. “I am not standing here defending the symbol,’’ he said. “I am standing here de-
fending the principle that the 1st Amendment should apply in all state buildings, of all places.” The legislation passed 72 to 1 and now heads to the state Senate for consideration. Assemblyman Isadore Hall III (D-Compton) said the battle flag of the Confederacy is a symbol of “racism, exclusion, oppression and violence toward many Americans.”
FOLLOW US ONLINE AT
WWW.BEACONMEDIANEWS.COM
Joseph Manjikian celebrated his 104th birthday at the Pasadena Highlands with over one hundred people in attendance including family, friends, and community leaders. Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) presented Mr. Manjikian with a Certificate of Congressional Recognition honoring his life. City of Sierra Madre Mayor John Harabedian, Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) National Board Member Raffi Hamparian and ANCA-Western Region Board Member and Sierra Madre resident Raffi Kassabian, ANCA-Western Region Government Affairs Director Tereza Yerimyan, Armenian Bar Association President Garo Ghazarian and Kessab Education Association President Esther Tognozzi were also in attendance. “My father is the richest man from Kessab," said Dr. Haig Manjikian, son of Joseph Manjikian. “Having survived the Armenian Genocide of 1915 and suffering the loss of family and close friends, he understands that the real wealth in life lies in the ability to cherish and appreciate time spent with family, friends, and community.” Joseph Manjikian was born on May 9, 1910 in Kessab, Syria, at that time a part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire. During the Armenian
-Courtesy Photo
Genocide, his father was conscripted into the Ottoman Army only to be murdered along with fellow Armenians. The villagers were forced into exile, marched into the desserts of Der Zor, along with countless other Armenians from the region. He was able to survive by eating weeds his mother collected along the way. By good fortune, survivors from Kessab were able to go back to their village, as it became part of Syria after World War One. In recent weeks, Kessab, which has been inhabited by a Christian Armenian population for centuries, has been in the media spotlight as it was attacked by extremist militant groups that entered Syria through the Turkish border and drove out the local villagers from their ancestral lands. "Today we celebrate a man who is a national treasure for the Armenian na-
tion,” remarked ANCA National board member Raffi Hamparian. "Joseph Manjikian represents our past, our present and our future. He is a signal of our collective strength and the ANCA is honored to be here to mark his 104th birthday." Joseph Manjikian eventually immigrated to California in 1950 with his wife and two children, followed by a third child born in the US. His story symbolizes the American Dream. He worked as an auto mechanic for forty years supporting his family and establishing new roots in Los Angeles. All his children represent first generation college graduates and raised their families with a strong Armenian-American upbringing. In his later years, he most enjoys being in the company of his eight grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and all extended family and friends.
El Monte reinstates coordinating council to work collaboratively with local organizations Seeing an opportunity to work together with the nonprofit sector, the City of El Monte has reinstated the community’s Coordinating Council, an organization formed of representatives from local organizations to discuss upcoming activities. The purpose of the Coordinating Council is to work collaboratively to keep the public informed of local events in an effort to make El Monte a better place in which to live, work and raise a family. “The City of El Monte has various activities happening throughout our community all the time. It’s important to spread the word on these events” said Councilwoman Victoria Martinez,
who chairs the Coordinating Council. “The goal is to bring representatives from all of our hard-working organizations together so we can better schedule our events, promote them and find innovative ways to work collaboratively.” Organizations interested in participating in the Coordinating Council are encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting. The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, May 14 at 5 p.m. at El Monte City Hall East-City Manager’s Office Conference Room. The Coordinating Council was originally formed in the 1950s by Judge Otis and continued
successfully for several decades until activity tapered. After a few years of inactivity, Councilwoman Martinez organized the first meeting of the Council earlier this year. Currently, the Coordinating Council consists of local clubs, charitable organizations, businesses and churches that are actively planning events in the City. All interested local organizations are welcome to participate. Representatives are asked to bring calendars and any fliers you may have for upcoming events. For more information, please contact Sheila Crippen at scrippen@elmonteca. gov.