Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
Web:
 
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org

OREGON CONGRESSMAN EARL BLUMENAUER JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS
Membership Jumps to 133

Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly welcomed the official announcement
today that Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) has joined the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, bringing the total to 133. The news follows an
August 10 district meeting with the Armenian Assembly held August 10 in
Portland, Oregon.

“As the congressional representative of many Armenians in Portland, I’m
proud to be the latest member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, an ever-growing group of those of us in Congress who want to give
these issues the attention they deserve,” said Congressman Blumenauer.

“I look forward to working with my colleagues and the members of the
Armenian community in my home town and around the world on issues of
importance to Armenians,” he continued.

Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, who led this week’s meeting,
said: “We welcome Congressmen Blumenauer’s membership to the Armenian
Caucus. He brings experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the Caucus and
we look forward to working with him and his congressional colleagues on
issues pertinent to the community.”

“Assembly supporters worked closely with our Los Angeles staff to encourage
the Congressman’s membership to the Caucus,” Kaimian continued. “I would
especially like to thank activists Greg Geokjian and Les Margosian for
participating in this meeting and advocating on behalf of our issues.”

Congressman Blumenauer, who has represented Oregon’s Third Congressional
District since 1996, is a well-known supporter of Armenian-American issues.
As such, he has urged President George W. Bush to appropriately acknowledge
the Armenian Genocide, voted to maintain Section 907 of the Freedom Support
Act and supported the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act.

The Congressman also serves on the International Relations Committee and is
a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He joins fellow
Oregon lawmaker, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR) in representing
Armenian-American interests on the Caucus.

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2004-073

Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:

Caption: Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR.)