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 Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan had the first stop in the sidelines of his US trip in the Ellis Island, Hudson River. Here Armenian President has been awarded by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations, NECO, Panorama.am reporter tells from USA.

Ellis Island is famous for serving as a gateway for millions of immigrants. During the years of Great Genocide Ellis Island happened to be a gateway for ninety five thousand Armenians who survived Turkish vandals.

They are among those 12 million people who passed through the gateway of Ellis Island, and got engaged with the multi-national society of America and brought their contribution to the national and cultural diversity of this country, which, according to NECO, are vital ground for the strength of their country.

In 1954 the gateway was closed and since 1976 museum of immigrants has been founded. A special exhibition dedicated to the Armenian genocide of 1915 and Armenian immigrants is being held.
President Serzh Sargsyan visited Ellis Island, the Museum of Immigrants and saw the exhibition to the Armenian genocide and made remarks in the book of honorable guests.

Here, President Sargsyan has been awarded Ellis Island Medal of Honor. More than thousand people have been awarded this medal, including 6 US Presidents, dozens of secretaries of state, senators, congressmen, Nobel laureates and artists, sportsmen and businessmen.

Serzh Sargsyan is the first President of a foreign country to receive this medal. The President of NECO Nasser Kazemine said President Serzh Sargsyan was receiving the award for his contribution to reinforce Armenian-American relations and peace establishment in South Caucasus.

President Serzh Sargsyan expressed gratitude for the award and said: “During the years of Ottoman Empire, thousands of Armenians escaped Genocide, passed through Ellis and got chance to work in USA and to develop. Most part of them used that chance and became worthy citizens of USA.”