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Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region
104 N. Belmont, Suite 208, Glendale, CA 91206
Tel. (818) 500-1918
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
2007-12-07
Contact: Haig Hovsepian ~ Tel: (818) 500-1918
*Advocacy Week 106 Takes Capitol Hill by Storm*
*Washington**, DC* - The Armenian National Committee of America - Western
Region (ANCA-WR) is pleased to report that human rights advocates from all
over the western United States traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate
in "Advocacy Week 106" from
Monday, December 3 through Friday, December 7. The Armenian Genocide
resolution (H. Res. 106) passed through the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs on October 10, 2007 by a vote of 27-21 despite unprecedented
opposition by President Bush and other facets of the administration,
including current and former high-ranking cabinet officials from the
Departments of State and Defense.
"We have seen scores of constituents expressing deep concerns over the
inaccurate, misrepresented and distorted nature of media coverage on the
resolution in October," stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian.
"These human rights activists traveled to Washington, DC to help set the
record straight and remind Members what the resolution is really all about
- ending the cycle of genocide and not succumbing to Turkey's denial," he
added.
Convening at the ANCA's Washington headquarters, constituents from Idaho,
Arizona, Texas and California conducted over 150 meetings on Capitol Hill
with Members of the House and Senate. Although not usually in session at
this time of year, Congress will likely convene well into December to
address various pieces of appropriation legislation. Constituents viewed
this extra time in session as an opportunity to help raise awareness of
recent developments regarding the resolution and the Turkish government's
denialist activities.
John Kazian of Kuna, Idaho attended meetings with members of the Idaho
delegation in the House and Senate, and also joined activists at numerous
other meetings with other districts. A veteran of the Korean War and a
child of Armenian Genocide survivors, Kazian relayed his unique perspective
on what Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide represents in the
context of perceived and coerced national security threats. "Turkey will do
what it wants - and that is what it has been doing resolution or not,"
stated Kazian. "Congress passing this resolution symbolizes a strong sense
of closure for survivors and their descendants - tolerating denial
constitutes the last stage of genocide and we must address this," a
passionate Kazian added.
Vatche Hovsepian and Taleen Asadourian of Houston, Texas conducted over
twenty meetings with Members of the Texas delegation. Hovsepian, as Texas
ANC Chairman and Asadourian, as a leading activist at the University of
Texas - Austin updated offices on local activities and development, focusing
on the need to pass H. Res. 106 and work toward ending the cycle of
genocide. "We are pleased to work with Members of the Texas delegation in
raising awareness on this important human rights bill," stated
Hovsepian. "Turkey's
destabilizing activities in Iraq are occurring regardless of the timetable
for scheduling a vote on H. Res. 106," Asadourian added.
Elen Asatryan, Executive Director of the Glendale ANC also traveled to
Capitol Hill to advocate on the Armenian Genocide resolution. Asatryan
attended numerous meetings, expressing concern that the resolution's
explicitly stated goals of acknowledging the United States record of
humanitarian assistance during the Armenian Genocide were being exploited by
a foreign government that is overtly conducting destabilizing military
operations in peaceful areas of Iraq. "Having a chance to meet with Members
of Congress provided me with the opportunity to share the community's
concerns on this important issue," stated Asatryan. "In 2003 there was no
Armenian Genocide resolution, and Turkey did not allow the United States to
utilize the 'northern front' to aid the Iraq war effort. Developments in
the past two months after the resolution passed through committee shed light
on the reality that Turkey continues to conduct military activities in Iraq
regardless of the status of the Armenian Genocide resolution," she added.
Arby Eivazian, an intern with the Glendale ANC's newly launched Internship
program expressed concerns over the recent Genocide Prevention Task Force to
be led by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Secretary
of Defense Robert Cohen. "This task force is the epitome of obnoxious
hypocrisy," stated Eivazian. "How can Albright and Cohen participate in
anything related to genocide when they worked against H. Res. 106? Sharing
this sad irony with Members of Congress was necessary to raise awareness of
the dangers of emboldening and abetting denialist policies," he added.
Salpy Demirjian, Chairwoman of the Arizona ANC helped to inform Arizona
Congressional and Senatorial Members of the rapidly growing and energized
Armenian American community of Arizona. Demirjian has also conducted
outreach through the state Democratic party. Demirjian also updated offices
on recent news pertaining to the resolution. "It is every Armenian
American's responsibility to engage their elected officials and raise
awareness of the importance of ending the cycle of genocide," stated
Demirjian. "I greatly look forward to returning to Arizona to update the
community," she added.
William Bairamian of Glendale, California has volunteered with the ANCA for
the past two months, beginning in October of 2007. During his time in
Washington, DC Bairamian worked with ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew
Kzirian to monitor news articles pertaining to H. Res. 106. This project
culminated in the production of a 300 page bound media document chronicling
over 100 positive and accurate news stories covering the resolution. Over
the past week, Bairamian attended numerous meetings and helped to ensure
that Members received this critical collection of press. "My time in
Washington, DC showed me the importance of properly and effectively
conducting our grassroots efforts so that Members' offices have access to
the right information to make informed and intelligent decisions," stated
Bairamian.
The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian-American grassroots political organization. Working
through a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the US and
around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the
Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues.
###
104 N. Belmont, Suite 208, Glendale, CA 91206
Tel. (818) 500-1918
[email protected]
PRESS RELEASE
2007-12-07
Contact: Haig Hovsepian ~ Tel: (818) 500-1918
*Advocacy Week 106 Takes Capitol Hill by Storm*
*Washington**, DC* - The Armenian National Committee of America - Western
Region (ANCA-WR) is pleased to report that human rights advocates from all
over the western United States traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate
in "Advocacy Week 106" from
Monday, December 3 through Friday, December 7. The Armenian Genocide
resolution (H. Res. 106) passed through the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs on October 10, 2007 by a vote of 27-21 despite unprecedented
opposition by President Bush and other facets of the administration,
including current and former high-ranking cabinet officials from the
Departments of State and Defense.
"We have seen scores of constituents expressing deep concerns over the
inaccurate, misrepresented and distorted nature of media coverage on the
resolution in October," stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian.
"These human rights activists traveled to Washington, DC to help set the
record straight and remind Members what the resolution is really all about
- ending the cycle of genocide and not succumbing to Turkey's denial," he
added.
Convening at the ANCA's Washington headquarters, constituents from Idaho,
Arizona, Texas and California conducted over 150 meetings on Capitol Hill
with Members of the House and Senate. Although not usually in session at
this time of year, Congress will likely convene well into December to
address various pieces of appropriation legislation. Constituents viewed
this extra time in session as an opportunity to help raise awareness of
recent developments regarding the resolution and the Turkish government's
denialist activities.
John Kazian of Kuna, Idaho attended meetings with members of the Idaho
delegation in the House and Senate, and also joined activists at numerous
other meetings with other districts. A veteran of the Korean War and a
child of Armenian Genocide survivors, Kazian relayed his unique perspective
on what Congressional recognition of the Armenian Genocide represents in the
context of perceived and coerced national security threats. "Turkey will do
what it wants - and that is what it has been doing resolution or not,"
stated Kazian. "Congress passing this resolution symbolizes a strong sense
of closure for survivors and their descendants - tolerating denial
constitutes the last stage of genocide and we must address this," a
passionate Kazian added.
Vatche Hovsepian and Taleen Asadourian of Houston, Texas conducted over
twenty meetings with Members of the Texas delegation. Hovsepian, as Texas
ANC Chairman and Asadourian, as a leading activist at the University of
Texas - Austin updated offices on local activities and development, focusing
on the need to pass H. Res. 106 and work toward ending the cycle of
genocide. "We are pleased to work with Members of the Texas delegation in
raising awareness on this important human rights bill," stated
Hovsepian. "Turkey's
destabilizing activities in Iraq are occurring regardless of the timetable
for scheduling a vote on H. Res. 106," Asadourian added.
Elen Asatryan, Executive Director of the Glendale ANC also traveled to
Capitol Hill to advocate on the Armenian Genocide resolution. Asatryan
attended numerous meetings, expressing concern that the resolution's
explicitly stated goals of acknowledging the United States record of
humanitarian assistance during the Armenian Genocide were being exploited by
a foreign government that is overtly conducting destabilizing military
operations in peaceful areas of Iraq. "Having a chance to meet with Members
of Congress provided me with the opportunity to share the community's
concerns on this important issue," stated Asatryan. "In 2003 there was no
Armenian Genocide resolution, and Turkey did not allow the United States to
utilize the 'northern front' to aid the Iraq war effort. Developments in
the past two months after the resolution passed through committee shed light
on the reality that Turkey continues to conduct military activities in Iraq
regardless of the status of the Armenian Genocide resolution," she added.
Arby Eivazian, an intern with the Glendale ANC's newly launched Internship
program expressed concerns over the recent Genocide Prevention Task Force to
be led by former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright and former Secretary
of Defense Robert Cohen. "This task force is the epitome of obnoxious
hypocrisy," stated Eivazian. "How can Albright and Cohen participate in
anything related to genocide when they worked against H. Res. 106? Sharing
this sad irony with Members of Congress was necessary to raise awareness of
the dangers of emboldening and abetting denialist policies," he added.
Salpy Demirjian, Chairwoman of the Arizona ANC helped to inform Arizona
Congressional and Senatorial Members of the rapidly growing and energized
Armenian American community of Arizona. Demirjian has also conducted
outreach through the state Democratic party. Demirjian also updated offices
on recent news pertaining to the resolution. "It is every Armenian
American's responsibility to engage their elected officials and raise
awareness of the importance of ending the cycle of genocide," stated
Demirjian. "I greatly look forward to returning to Arizona to update the
community," she added.
William Bairamian of Glendale, California has volunteered with the ANCA for
the past two months, beginning in October of 2007. During his time in
Washington, DC Bairamian worked with ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew
Kzirian to monitor news articles pertaining to H. Res. 106. This project
culminated in the production of a 300 page bound media document chronicling
over 100 positive and accurate news stories covering the resolution. Over
the past week, Bairamian attended numerous meetings and helped to ensure
that Members received this critical collection of press. "My time in
Washington, DC showed me the importance of properly and effectively
conducting our grassroots efforts so that Members' offices have access to
the right information to make informed and intelligent decisions," stated
Bairamian.
The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most
influential Armenian-American grassroots political organization. Working
through a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the US and
around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the
Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues.
###