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New Term, New Opportunities: ANCA Welcomes 111th Congress

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  • New Term, New Opportunities: ANCA Welcomes 111th Congress

    Armenian National Committee of America
    1711 N Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    Tel. (202) 775-1918
    Fax. (202) 775-5648
    [email protected]
    Internet www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE

    January 6, 2009
    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918


    NEW TERM, NEW OPPORTUNITIES: ANCA WELCOMES 111TH CONGRESS

    -- Staff and Activists Reconnect with Old Friends and Reach Out to
    Congressional Freshmen at Swearing-In Ceremony


    WASHINGTON, DC - As Armenians around the world celebrated Christmas
    today, Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) staff and
    activists spread good cheer on Capitol Hill, participating in the
    Congressional swearing-in ceremony kicking off the 111th Congress.

    "With a new Congress beginning its legislative session, it was a
    great day to be on Capitol Hill, to reconnect with seasoned
    supporters and to meet with Members of the freshman class," said
    ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "In the upcoming weeks, we
    look forward to expanding on these meetings here in Washington, DC
    and around the country as we pursue a proactive agenda in 2009."

    ANCA Legislative Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian, Legislative
    Team Member Garo Manjikian and activists from California, Rhode
    Island, Michigan, Nevada and New Jersey spoke with a range of
    Senators and Representatives on the upcoming legislative agenda -
    focusing on Armenian Genocide reaffirmation efforts, self-
    determination for Nagorno Karabagh and efforts to strengthen the
    U.S.-Armenia relationship.

    In all, the ANCA team met with elected officials and staff from
    over 25 Congressional offices including Assistant Senate Majority
    Leader Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Jim Webb
    (D-VA), Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), as
    well as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Democratic
    Congressional Campaign Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD),
    Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and
    Mark Kirk (R-IL) and a range of freshman Representatives including
    Duncan Hunter (R-CA), Jared Polis (D-CO), Gary Peters (D-MI), and
    Paul Tonko (D-NY).

    In total, 94% of ANCA endorsed candidates were elected to the 111th
    Congress, with 201 of 211 securing decisive wins in the November
    2008 elections. Among those winning in tight House races, with
    Armenian American support, were Armenian Genocide Resolution
    supporters Mike McCaul (R-TX), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Gabrielle Giffords
    (D-AZ), Tim Walz (D-MD) and Florida Representatives Lincoln Diaz
    Balart (R-FL), Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL) and Ron Klein (D-FL).
    Armenian American Congresswomen Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier
    (D-CA) won their reelection bids overwhelming with 70% and 75%
    respectively. ANC OH chairman Dave Krikorian (OH-2) garnered an
    impressive 18% in his independent Congressional bid, laying a solid
    foundation for future electoral campaigns.

    In the Senate, 12 of 15 ANCA endorsed candidates won their election
    bids, including Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor Richard
    Durbin (D-IL), John Kerry (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Frank
    Lautenberg (D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-MI) as well as Mark Udall (D-CO)
    and Tom Udall (D-NM), who moved from the House to the Senate.

    To view the ANCA report cards from the previous Congress, visit:
    http://www.anca.org/legislative_center/elec tion_reportcards.php

    #####
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