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Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
ancawr@anca.org
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PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Monday September 13, 2004
Contact: Armen Carapetian 818.500.1918
U.S. CONGRESSWOMAN ESHOO & CALIFORNIA STATE SENATOR POOCHIGIAN TO BE
HONORED AT 2004 ANNUAL BANQUET
— Pre-Banquet Party to Kick Off 2004-2005 ANCA-WR Fundraising Efforts
Los Angeles, CA â^À^Ó The Armenian National Committee of America â^À^Ó
Western Region (ANCA-WR) has announced two of its honorees for the
2004 Annual Banquet. ANCA-WR Chairman of the Board of Directors Raffi
Hamparian and Annual Banquet Committee Chair Aida Dimejian announced
that Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and California State Senator
Charles Poochigian (R-Fresno) will be honored at this yearâ^À^Ùs event.
Hamparian praised Congresswoman Eshoo and Senator Poochigian by
saying, â^À^ÜWith a whole new class of young Armenian American elected
officials on the horizon, we need to recognize the individuals who
have set the standard in terms of commitment and hard work.
â^À^ÜCongresswoman Eshoo and Senator Poochigian are role models
and exemplary public officials in their respective bodies. They have
brought great pride to Armenian Americans and we are extremely grateful
for their hard work,â^À^Ý added Hamparian.
The ANCA-WR announced that it will hold its 2004 Annual Banquet at
the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel in Pasadena, California on Sunday,
October 24, 2004. Last yearâ^À^Ùs ANCA-WR Annual Banquet was a sold out
affair which featured such honorees as Federal Judge Dikran Tevrizian,
California Treasurer Phil Angelides, Congressmen Adam Schiff (D-CA)
and George Radanovich (R-CA) as well as Dr. Alfred De Zayas, former
undersecretary to the United Nationâ^À^Ùs Human Rights Commission.
The ANCA-WR Banquet is attended annually by prominent Members of
Congress, State Legislators, Mayors, academics, and a vast number of
Armenian American political activists. The ANCA-WR Annual Banquet is
the largest event of its kind that brings Armenian Americans together
with a large number of federal, state and local public officials. The
Banquet annually draws over 750 individuals, including a long list
of dignitaries. Last yearâ^À^Ùs event was no exception, and with this
yearâ^À^Ùs guest list packed with high profile figures, tickets sales
are already heating up.
â^À^ÜThe Banquet continues to get better with each passing year, with
more dignitaries, better venues, and an amazing list of honorees,â^À^Ý
commented ANCA-WR Executive Director Ardashes Kassakhian. â^À^ÜIf
you havenâ^À^Ùt been to an Annual Banquet, then you must attend. If
youâ^À^Ùre an activist or supporter interested in politics, helping
the Armenian Cause, and meeting exciting and interesting people,
then this is your event,â^À^Ý added Kassakhian.
The ANCA-WRâ^À^Ùs Board of Directors also announced that the location
for this yearâ^À^Ùs annual pre-Banquet Kickoff Party will be the
luxurious and elegant Cicada Restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. The
Kickoff Party generally attracts those interested in reserving tables
for the Annual Banquet. Most of the tables for the Banquet are sold
at the high energy event.
With all the grandeur of a Hollywood dream movie from the 1920s,
Cicada Restaurant and Lounge has been voted Top Decor by the popular
Zagat Restaurant guide. The stunningly spacious room features
Lalique crystal, ornate gold-leaf ceilings, and a mezzanine and
lounge overlooking the main floor that was made famous in the films
â^À^ÜPretty Womanâ^À^Ý and â^À^ÜBugsyâ^À^Ý.
The gathering will take place on Thursday, September 16, 2004 at 7:30
PM. The complimentary event is part of ANCA-WR tradition and marks
the beginning of the fundraising drive leading up to the ANCA-WR
Annual Banquet â^À^Ó the organizationâ^À^Ùs gala event.
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