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ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern Focus: So California's Chris Yemenidjian

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  • ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern Focus: So California's Chris Yemenidjian

    Armenian National Committee - Western Region

    104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200

    Glendale, California 91206

    Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353

    [email protected] / www.anca.org



    PRESS RELEASE


    : August 9, 2007



    Contact: Haig Hovsepian

    Tel: (818) 500-1918



    ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern Focus:

    Southern California's Christopher Yemenidjian



    Washington, DC - Year after year, the ANCA Leo Sarkisian Internship (LSI)
    Program has provided Armenian American youth with the opportunity to spend
    valuable time in Washington, DC. The Halls of Congress hold the key to
    learning more about, and building consensus for, important pieces of
    legislation. Christopher Yemenidjian is Chairman of the South Bay ANC and
    had already served as an Armenian National Committee - Western Region
    (ANC-WR) regional intern in the Spring of 2007 while he continued his
    studies at El Camino College. Yemenidjian's goal was to make a difference
    for the Armenian Cause in the world of government. Christopher decided to
    apply for the ANCA LSI program this summer.

    "After working with the ANC-WR in Los Angeles, I felt it was time to take my
    advocacy efforts to Washington, DC," commented Yemenidjian. "The nation's
    capital is where everything happens - meetings with elected officials,
    hearings on important legislation that impacts the interests of our
    communities and just the general gravitas of being on the Hill - I strongly
    urge all young Armenian Americans to consider the ANCA Leo Sarkisian
    internship program," he added.

    The ANCA-LSI Program is funded by the Armenian National Committee - Western
    Region (ANC-WR). Named after long-time ANC activist Leo Sarkisian, the
    program brings together young Armenian Americans from across the United
    States and Canada to gain first-hand experience in the American political
    system while working on issues of concern to the Armenian American
    community.

    "Christopher's work in Washington is a great example of what the leadership
    of tomorrow is achieving today," stated ANC-WR Chairman Raffi Hamparian.
    "The experience that LSI participants gain working on the Hill is extremely
    valuable and most importantly, consistent with the ANC-WR's mission of
    preparing our community's youth for strong leadership positions in tomorrow's
    world," he added.

    In addition to the enriching educational LSI program lecture series, scores
    of Congressional meetings with Representatives and the overall experience of
    working in the fast-paced office environment of the ANCA office, Christopher
    has taken the initiative on a variety of other projects. He drafted a
    document outlining military relations between the United States and Armenia,
    pointing out many overlooked details regarding this relationship. Armenia
    has worked closely with the United States in the War on Terror and has
    signed and ratified a Status of Forces Agreement with NATO and other
    agreements to safeguard U.S. military personnel in Armenia. This document
    was then disseminated throughout Congress to educate Members on the
    increasing military ties between Armenia and the United States. Furthermore,
    as a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, Christopher drafted letters
    encouraging Armenian American Veterans to contact their elected officials to
    urge them to support H. Res. 106 (the Armenian Genocide Resolution).

    Yemenidjian is a Political Science and English double-major at El Camino
    College who will be attending the University of California, Berkeley in the
    Spring. He recently completed the ANC-WR's Internship-Externship Program
    where he specialized in community and government affairs. He currently
    serves as the South Bay ANC chairman. He has been and continues to be
    actively involved with the South Bay AYF and Homenetmen, having served as
    chairmen for both organizations. He is also the chairman of the United Human
    Rights Council.



    Now in its 23rd year, the ANCA LSI Program provides student leaders and
    activists an opportunity to participate in an intensive 8-week program
    designed to give them the tools necessary to effectively advance issues of
    concern to the Armenian American community on the federal, state and local
    level. The LSI Program is a competitive and prestigious internship program
    and is widely considered to be the best program of its kind for Armenian
    American college students.

    In addition to Christopher Yemenidjian, the 2007 LSI Program participants
    from the Western United States are Alex Der Alexanian, Shant Hagopian and
    Dzovak Kazandjian. Joining interns from Canada, Europe and the Eastern
    United States, the LSI participants from the Western Region have conducted
    significant and groundbreaking activities in just their first week in our
    nation's capital.

    The Armenian National Committee - Western Region is the largest and most
    influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the
    Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
    chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated
    organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances the concerns of the
    Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
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