July 23, 2009 - 21:16 AMT
Yes, We Have, a new compendium of American-Armenian contributions released
The Armenian Arts Fund has released Yes, We Have, a new compendium of American-Armenian contributions to American life. The illustrated volume contains contributions by American-Armenians in the fields of science, technology, visual arts including film, literature, music, sports, and public service.

Yes, We Have was compiled by Stepan Partamian, founder and president of the Armenian Arts Fund.

"Yes, We Have presents a mosaic of American-Armenian accomplishments and recognizes the extraordinary men and women behind them," Partamian said. "Today we take pride in them not only as exemplary sons and daughters of the United States, but as sources of inspiration and role models, particularly for the new generation of American-Armenians."

Yes, We Have opens with the April 24, 2009 statement of President Barack Obama about the Genocide of the Armenians in 1915 and also the reference to the tragedy by its Armenian term, Medz Yeghern.

The rich history of the American-Armenians began as early as the 1600s, when Martin the Armenian, an expert silkworm grower, settled in Jamestown Colony, Virginia. The first entry in Yes, We Have belongs to him.

"We're doing this because we need to remind American leaders of their American-Armenian constituents' outstanding contributions to our country. It's also a great way to share our sense of pride with the American public at large," Asbarez.com cited Partamian as saying.