Pasadena, CA - More than 200 individuals attended the Armenian Assembly of America's 2010 New Year Gathering held at the home of David and Margaret Mgrublian earlier this week. Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, California Board Members Joyce Stein, Lisa Kalustian and Peter Kezirian, along with Western Region Director Yeghig Keshishian were on hand to discuss the Assembly's activities in California and its work in our nation's capital.

Board Members Kalustian and Kezirian highlighted the Western Region office's accomplishments for the past year and discussed the recently signed protocols between Armenia and Turkey.  Ardouny touched on the upcoming meeting with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton regarding the protocols and emphasized the need for the U.S. to hold Turkey accountable to its international commitments. Ardouny also expressed the Assembly's appreciation to hosts David and Margaret as well as the guests present, noting that their support is vital to the Assembly's mission. Keshishian rounded out the remarks by outlining the upcoming activities the Assembly has in store for its members and supporters in Southern California, and also acknowledged the elected officials in attendance.

California Congresswoman Judy Chu joined the list of elected officials and staff present, which included: California State Senator Bob Huff; Los Angeles City Council members Janice Hahn and Jan Perry; Glendale City Council members Laura Friedman and Ara Najarian; Matt Dababneh, representing Congressman Brad Sherman; and Andrew Westhall, representing Los Angeles City Council member Herb Wesson. 

Father Sarkis Petoyan, acting on behalf of Archbishop Hovnan Derderian from the Western Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, joined other community leaders in attendance on Sunday, including Los Angeles Court Judge Zaven Sinanian, and retired Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Alice Altoon. The successful event also drew many former Armenian Assembly Board Members, including Elizabeth Agbabian, Mihran Agbabian, Richard Hovannisian, Armen Hovannisian, Dennis Kazarian, Richard Mushegain, Savey Tufenkian, and Ralph Tufenkian.

"As the Assembly's Western Region Director, I would like to recognize the invaluable support of the Southern California Regional Council (SCRC) for directly assisting in making the Assembly's New Year Gathering a success," stated Keshishian.  "I would like to particularly thank SCRC Member Margaret Mgrublian and her husband, David, for being such gracious and welcoming hosts," added Keshishian.  

The Mgrublians, who recently joined the Assembly's SCRC stated, "We were so happy to see amazing support from not only our Armenian community, but from our local, state, and federal officials. It was a pleasure to host such a memorable event."

Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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Photo Caption 1(L-R): Al Cabraloff, Jim Melikian, Joyce Stein, Peter Kezirian, Talin Yacoubian, Yeghig Keshishian, Margaret Mgrublian, Lisa Kalustian, Bryan Ardouny, Richard Mushegain 

Photo Caption 2 (L-R): David & Margaret Mgrublian, LA City Councilwoman Janice Hahn, and Dennis Kazarian