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Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
May 14, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ABRAHAMIAN JOINS CAPITAL GATEWAY PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, DC - During the height of April's Armenian Genocide
commemorative events in the Nation's capital, recent college
graduate David Vahe Abrahamian of Burbank, CA became the latest to
join the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Capital
Gateway Program, designed to open internship and career doors for
young Armenian Americans seeking to make their mark in American
politics, the media, or the think tank scene. Abrahamian's
participation in the program was made possible through the Hovig
Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fellowship, a special fund established for
young Armenians seeking opportunities in politics and public
service.
After receiving a double Bachelor's in History and Political
Science from UCLA in the Fall of 2007, Abrahamian chose to apply
for the Capital Gateway Program and explore career opportunities in
Congress. He was informed of the program through a classmate of his
at UCLA and felt it was a perfect way of gaining first-hand
experience following his graduation.
"I decided to come to DC as an extension of my political
interests," said Abrahamian. "My goal is to find a position
working on foreign policy matters within a Congressional office."
Within a week of his arrival, Abrahamian secured an internship with
Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA). In addition to learning directly about how
a House office functions, he has attended numerous Congressional
hearings and helped develop queries for the Congressman. He has
also worked with constituents on numerous legislative issues.
"The environment in Congressman Costa's office has been wonderful,"
says Abrahamian. "They've given me the ability to delve into
foreign relations issues and learn how policy is formulated on a
daily basis."
Prior to arriving in DC, Abrahamian had concentrated on Armenian
studies courses at UCLA and even recorded the testimony of Genocide
survivors as part of Richard Hovannisian's Armenian Oral History
Project. He has also served as a staff editor and writer for the
UCLA student-run paper The Armenian Chronicles.
He has since increased his involvement in Armenian affairs by
interning at the ANCA's National Headquarters. With the various
Armenian Genocide commemorative activities taking place in
Washington in the month of April, Abrahamian had the opportunity to
serve as a volunteer at numerous community functions, including the
April 23 Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill hosted by the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.
Abrahamian joins a long list of past and present Gateway Fellows
who have found positions in public policy in Washington, DC,
including fellow Spring 2008 participant Talar Shekherdimian.
After interning for Rep. Grace Napolitano's (D-CA) office,
Shekherdimian recently secured a paralegal position with the law
firm Cohen & Cohen, PC.
The Hovig Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fellowship is named in honor
Hovig Saghdejian, a 23-year old youth leader from Fresno, CA, who
tragically passed away in 2004. His family established the fund to
serve as a tribute to the their son's legacy of activism in the
Armenian American community.
For more information about the Capital Gateway Program, prospective
candidates can visit www.anca.org and click on the "Capital
Gateway" link or call (202) 775-1918 and ask for Serouj Aprahamian.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2008 season.
#####
Photo Caption: Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)(center) with ANCA Capital
Gateway Fellow David Abrahamian and ANCA activist Paul Jamushian.
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
May 14, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
ABRAHAMIAN JOINS CAPITAL GATEWAY PROGRAM
WASHINGTON, DC - During the height of April's Armenian Genocide
commemorative events in the Nation's capital, recent college
graduate David Vahe Abrahamian of Burbank, CA became the latest to
join the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Capital
Gateway Program, designed to open internship and career doors for
young Armenian Americans seeking to make their mark in American
politics, the media, or the think tank scene. Abrahamian's
participation in the program was made possible through the Hovig
Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fellowship, a special fund established for
young Armenians seeking opportunities in politics and public
service.
After receiving a double Bachelor's in History and Political
Science from UCLA in the Fall of 2007, Abrahamian chose to apply
for the Capital Gateway Program and explore career opportunities in
Congress. He was informed of the program through a classmate of his
at UCLA and felt it was a perfect way of gaining first-hand
experience following his graduation.
"I decided to come to DC as an extension of my political
interests," said Abrahamian. "My goal is to find a position
working on foreign policy matters within a Congressional office."
Within a week of his arrival, Abrahamian secured an internship with
Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA). In addition to learning directly about how
a House office functions, he has attended numerous Congressional
hearings and helped develop queries for the Congressman. He has
also worked with constituents on numerous legislative issues.
"The environment in Congressman Costa's office has been wonderful,"
says Abrahamian. "They've given me the ability to delve into
foreign relations issues and learn how policy is formulated on a
daily basis."
Prior to arriving in DC, Abrahamian had concentrated on Armenian
studies courses at UCLA and even recorded the testimony of Genocide
survivors as part of Richard Hovannisian's Armenian Oral History
Project. He has also served as a staff editor and writer for the
UCLA student-run paper The Armenian Chronicles.
He has since increased his involvement in Armenian affairs by
interning at the ANCA's National Headquarters. With the various
Armenian Genocide commemorative activities taking place in
Washington in the month of April, Abrahamian had the opportunity to
serve as a volunteer at numerous community functions, including the
April 23 Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill hosted by the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.
Abrahamian joins a long list of past and present Gateway Fellows
who have found positions in public policy in Washington, DC,
including fellow Spring 2008 participant Talar Shekherdimian.
After interning for Rep. Grace Napolitano's (D-CA) office,
Shekherdimian recently secured a paralegal position with the law
firm Cohen & Cohen, PC.
The Hovig Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fellowship is named in honor
Hovig Saghdejian, a 23-year old youth leader from Fresno, CA, who
tragically passed away in 2004. His family established the fund to
serve as a tribute to the their son's legacy of activism in the
Armenian American community.
For more information about the Capital Gateway Program, prospective
candidates can visit www.anca.org and click on the "Capital
Gateway" link or call (202) 775-1918 and ask for Serouj Aprahamian.
Applications are currently being accepted for the Fall 2008 season.
#####
Photo Caption: Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA)(center) with ANCA Capital
Gateway Fellow David Abrahamian and ANCA activist Paul Jamushian.