Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 17, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
CONGRESSMAN SMITH JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS
Seattle, WA – At the urging of Armenian Assembly activists, Congressman
Adam Smith (D-WA) on September 13 joined the Congressional Caucus
on Armenian Issues, bringing the total Caucus membership to 140.
Smith, who announced his decision during an Assembly-led meeting in
Tacoma, WA, will become the second lawmaker from the state to serve
on the Caucus.
“I enjoyed our conversation and the opportunity to meet with some
of the various members of the local Armenian community,” said
Smith, who serves on the House International Relations Committee.
“The information you shared was very useful and I look forward to
the opportunity to learn more about the issues affecting this part
of the world.”
Assembly Western Office Chairman Richard Mushegain said he welcomes
Smith’s membership to the Caucus and commended activists for raising
the issue with him as well and others.
“Assembly activists, in meetings across the country, have successfully
utilized the congressional summer recess to articulate the community’s
concerns and encourage membership to the Armenian Caucus,” said
Mushegain. “We look forward to working with Congressman Smith and
his colleagues in securing trade benefits and U.S. assistance that
are so critical to Armenia and Nagorno Karbakh’s ongoing development.”
The district meeting, led by Western Office Director Lena Kaimian,
included Reverend Father Yeghia Isayan of the Armenian Apostolic
Church-Seattle, Affiliate Zareh Kevorkian and activists Razmik
Keutelian and Sonya Tanielian. Later that day, the group also met
with Congressman Norman Dicks’ (D-WA) District Director Tom Luce.
Talks centered on U.S. aid to Armenia, the Azeri war rhetoric and the
U.S.-Armenia trade bill. Through Luce, activists also urged Dicks to
join the Armenian Caucus.
Prior to the congressional meetings, Assembly Board of Directors
Member Lisa Kalustian joined Kaimian for a community briefing at the
Armenian Apostolic Church-Seattle. Kalustian and Kaimian discussed the
Assembly’s legislative agenda, providing a status report on the Foreign
Operations bill as well as the trade measure. Kaimian also discussed
the Assembly’s Washington and Yerevan internship programs, explaining
the opportunities available for college students of Armenian descent.
“The Assembly extends it thanks to Church officials for providing
a venue for our event,” said Kalustian. “We also thank community
members for their participation and interest in the Assembly.”
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#2004-084
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
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Caption: (L to R) Reverend Father Yeghia Isayan of the Armenian
Apostolic Church-Seattle, Assembly Affiliate Member Zareh Kevorkian,
Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), activists Sonya Tanielian and Razmik
Keutelian and Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian in Tacoma,
WA on September 13.