New York, New York, February 8, 2010 — Vartan Gregorian, President of Carnegie Corporation of New York, has been appointed to the Mexico Bicentennial Committee in the United States.
Dr. Gregorian is one of 40 prominent U.S. citizens appointed to the Committee by the Government of Mexico. The announcement was made by Arturo Sarukhan, Mexico’s ambassador to the United States.
Other members of the Bicentennial Committee include New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Representative Loretta Sanchez (D, CA) and University of Texas, El Paso President Diana Natalicio. Members of the committee will advise the country on plans to celebrate Mexico’s history and culture, and will also work to increase awareness of the ideals and strong bonds between the United States and Mexico.
“It is a great honor to have been appointed by the Government of Mexico to serve on the Mexico Bicentennial Committee,” said Gregorian. “As Carnegie Corporation approaches its own centennial year in 2011, we are deeply aware of how strongly our founder, Andrew Carnegie, believed that democracy was the hallmark of a vital, independent and progressive nation. I am pleased to be able to contribute to the celebration of these values in our neighbor nation of Mexico.”
Mexico commemorates the 200th anniversary of its independence in 2010 as well as the 100th anniversary of its revolution. The movement that led to Mexico's independence began on September 16, 1810, and the Mexican Revolution began on November 20, 1910.
Carnegie Corporation of New York is a philanthropic foundation created by Andrew Carnegie in 1911 to do "real and permanent good in this world."