During these meetings they considered the possibility of forming a new Armenian organization in which leaders from various Armenian groups would participate for the benefit of the community as a whole. Their idea was new and exciting: an organization for all Armenian-Americans, headquartered in the nation's capital, to represent and promote Armenian interests.

Mugar was to become known affectionately as the Assembly's "godfather." Hovnanian, head of a New Jersey development and construction firm, also gave support. He felt strongly that the new organization would unify the Armenian-American community, guarantee the participation of community members in government, and, most importantly, encourage Armenian youth to retain their identity and serve the Armenian people.

Hovnanian's contributions helped make possible the first gathering of Armenian-American leaders in 1972 at Airlie House in Warrenton, Virginia. This conclave--and subsequent meetings in 1973 and 1974--endorsed the Armenian Assembly and gave it specific objectives and a community mandate.

The future of the Assembly was assured in 1984 when Hovnanian and the Mugar estate launched an endowment fund with contributions of $1 million each. Additional contributions to the endowment fund followed from Mrs. Deran Hintlian, Edward Mardigian, Richard and Gail O'Reilly, Leon Peters and David Shakarian. As more and more Armenian-Americans lend their support, the Assembly's projects and its role as a professional institution continue to expand.

The tragic earthquake in Armenia in late 1988 ushered in a new area of activity for the Assembly--helping to rebuild Armenia. In 1989, the Armenian government gave the Assembly permission to open an office in the capital city of Yerevan, thus making it the first Western nonprofit organization to do so. Armenia's independence, as well as its commitment to democracy and market reform, have afforded the Assembly the opportunity and privilege to advocate for a special and strong relationship with the United States.

Of immediate concern to the fledgling organization was funding. Two benefactors came forward who were to have a lasting impact on the new assembly: Stephen P. Mugar and Hirair Hovnanian. Mugar, the original owner of the Boston chain of Star Markets, was the first to offer financial support. The assembly concept appealed to his own sense of the need for intra-community cooperation and for Armenian community participation in the democratic process of the United States.

Mugar was to become known affectionately as the Assembly's "godfather." Hovnanian, head of a New Jersey development and construction firm, also gave support. He felt strongly that the new organization would unify the Armenian-American community, guarantee the participation of community members in government, and, most importantly, encourage Armenian youth to retain their identity and serve the Armenian people.

Hovnanian's contributions helped make possible the first gathering of Armenian-American leaders in 1972 at Airlie House in Warrenton, Virginia. This conclave--and subsequent meetings in 1973 and 1974--endorsed the Armenian Assembly and gave it specific objectives and a community mandate.

The future of the Assembly was assured in 1984 when Hovnanian and the Mugar estate launched an endowment fund with contributions of $1 million each. Additional contributions to the endowment fund followed from Mrs. Deran Hintlian, Edward Mardigian, Richard and Gail O'Reilly, Leon Peters and David Shakarian. As more and more Armenian-Americans lend their support, the Assembly's projects and its role as a professional institution continue to expand.

The tragic earthquake in Armenia in late 1988 ushered in a new area of activity for the Assembly--helping to rebuild Armenia. In 1989, the Armenian government gave the Assembly permission to open an office in the capital city of Yerevan, thus making it the first Western nonprofit organization to do so. Armenia's independence, as well as its commitment to democracy and market reform, have afforded the Assembly the opportunity and privilege to advocate for a special and strong relationship with the United States.