Assembly Meets with California Delegation Members, Including Reps. Baca, Napolitano, Roybal-Allard, Sanchez and Waters

Pasadena, CA - With the 95th anniversary year of the Armenian Genocide well underway, the Assembly is actively pressing ahead on a range of issues important to the Armenian-American community, including passage of the Armenian Genocide resolution pending in the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. 

To garner increased support, Assembly Western Region Director Yeghig Keshishian conducted a series of congressional meetings last month with members from the California delegation, including the offices of Representatives Joe Baca, Grace Napolitano, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Linda Sanchez, and Maxine Waters.  Keshishian discussed the importance of U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide as reflected in H.Res. 252, and also focused on aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, as well as Turkey's backtracking of its public commitment to normalize relations with Armenia without preconditions. 

"With a strong and vibrant community in California, coupled with key leadership positions held by Members of the California delegation, we are uniquely positioned to advance our goals," stated Keshishian. "Each meeting affords an opportunity to reiterate the importance of passage of H.Res. 252 and the need to combat denial of the Armenian Genocide. It also serves as an opportunity to discuss the current dynamics in the South Caucasus, including Armenia's bold steps to normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions," added Keshishian.

In addition to the Assembly's Congressional outreach, the Assembly also reached out to community supporters and friends last month at a 200 person-plus event at the home of Assembly hosts, Margaret and David Mgrublian. With Assembly Board Members Lisa Kalustian, Peter Kezirian, and Joyce Stein on hand along side Executive Director Bryan Ardouny and Keshishian, the evening was a resounding success, and also attended by numerous elected officials, including Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA), who has since cosponsored H.Res. 252 and also joined the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.

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.

###

NR# 2010-008