Armenian National Committee of New York
PO Box 693
Woodside, NY 11377
tonyvartanian@hotmail.com

PRESS RELEASE
May 27, 2004
For Immediate Release

Contact: Tony Vartanian
tonyvartanian@hotmail.com

CONGRESSMAN ANTHONY WEINER MEETS WITH
ARMENIAN COMMUNITY AT FUNDRAISER IN NEW YORK

— Armenian National Committee Activists Thank Congressman for Unwavering
Support of Armenian American Issues

NEW YORK, NY–On May 16, members of the New York Armenian-American
community, including a number of ANC activists, gathered at the home
of Mr. and Mrs. Antranik Boudakian for a fundraiser for the New York
City mayoral campaign of Congressman Anthony D. Weiner (D-NY 9).

Mr. Boudakian welcomed Congressman Weiner and thanked him for his
ardent support of issues concerning Armenian Americans, especially for
Armenian Genocide recognition. He then showed a clip of Congressman
Weiner’s inspirational speech at the Genocide Commemoration organized
by the Armenian National Committee (ANC) of New York on April 23 at
the City Hall of New York.

After his distinguished service on the New York City Council,
Congressman Weiner was elected to the United States House of
Representatives in 1999, representing the boroughs of Queens and
Brooklyn in New York City. He is a Democratic Whip and serves on
numerous prominent committees such as the Judiciary Committee, Science
Committee (Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics) and Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee (Aviation and Highways Subcommittees).
In addition, Congressman Weiner was the only New Yorker appointed by
the leaders of the House of Representatives to serve on the Homeland
Security Task Force following the terrorist attacks of September
11, 2001.

Congressman Weiner’s dedicated service to his Armenian constituents
is clearly evidenced as he is an active member of the 129-member
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. This year, he was one of
signatories to the Congressional letter to President Bush urging him
to recognize the Armenian Genocide as “genocide” as well as one of the
25 Senators and Representatives who commemorated the 89th anniversary
of the Armenian Genocide during “Special Order” remarks on the House
floor. Congressman Weiner recounted the events of April 24, 1915,
the beginning of the first genocide of the 20th century, praising
the resolve of the Armenian community to overcome such a tragedy and
its invaluable contributions to society, promising never to forget
the Armenian Genocide, and stressing the need for US recognition of
the Genocide.

Congressman Weiner thanked Mr. Boudakian for hosting the fundraiser
as well as those in attendance for their support. He remarked on
the parallels that exist between the Armenian and Jewish communities,
namely as they relate to their respective genocides and their struggles
to overcome enormous adversity to ultimately thrive and prosper in the
communities in which they settled while equally committed to ensuring
that the atrocities committed against them were never forgotten
or repeated. Congressman Weiner recalled the misguided advice he
received early in his career from former Congressman Steven Solarz,
now chief lobbyist for the Turkish government on Capitol Hill, who
told him to avoid the complicated political issue of the Armenian
Genocide. He acknowledged the unwavering support of the Armenian
community throughout his career and reiterated his commitment to
champion Armenian issues in Congress and, if successful, as Mayor of
the City of New York.

“The Armenian-American community of New York owes a great debt of
gratitude to Congressman Weiner,” stated Tony Vartanian, Chairman
of the ANC of New York. “His support of Armenian American issues
throughout his three terms in Congress shows the strong bond shared
between the Congressman and his Armenian constituents,” continued
Vartanian.

“We are confident that whatever path Congressman Weiner’s future holds,
he will continue to be a friend of the community and an advocate of
our issues,” concluded Vartanian.

Among those in attendance included Vicar General of the Prelacy
and Pastor of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Douglaston,
New York Very Rev. Fr. Anoushavan Tanielian, ANC representatives
Tony Vartanian, Antranig Kasbarian, and Roupen Ardhaldjian, and Sam
Azadian and Ani Minnetyan of the Knights and Daughters of Vartan.

The Armenian National Committee (ANC) is the largest Armenian American
grassroots political organization in New York and nationwide. The ANC
actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian
American community.

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