Speech #930038701

This assistance continued into the early decades of this century as massive relief programs for the Armenians were organized by many groups and organizations in this country. Cooperative relief efforts were conducted by the American Red Cross and the Armenian Relief Society beginning in 1916. and in 1919 Congress established the Near East Relief organization. which distributed vast amounts of aid in that part of the world. During those years. orphanages were operated to care for the children left without families. ten villages were built to house refugees. vocational training programs were developed to enable people to learn skills such as weaving or embroidery. and feeding stations were established to ward off starvation. Today. the Armenian Relief Society continues to aid people both in the United States and abroad through educational efforts. operation of orphanages and summer camps. provision of welfare assistance to families of Armenian descent and by continuing to acquaint young people with the history of their ancestors. I am sure that I can speak for all the people of our Nation in expressing my deep appreciation to the Americans of Armenian descent who organized this effort. and who will be donating their blood during the week of April 24.