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
November 18, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: ckojoian@aaainc.org
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY LEADERS MEET WITH CALIFORNIA ACTIVISTS, SUPPORTERS
Outreach Part of Leadership Meeting Weekend
WASHINGTON, DC – In a push to expand the Armenian Assembly’s community
outreach efforts, Chairman Anthony Barsamian and Members of the Board of
Directors participated in a series of public forums and member events
during a recent weekend in California.
The events, organized in conjunction with the Assembly Board of
Directors meeting in San Francisco, kicked off with a panel discussion
organized by the San Francisco Bay Regional Committee and moderated by
Board Treasurer Berge Ayvazian. Panelists, including Adam Kablanian of
Virage Logic, Tony Moroyan of Viasphere International, Board Member Gail
O’Reilly of Made in Armenia Direct and Anahid Yeremian of CRD Support
Committee, discussed Armenia’s economic development and advances in
scientific research.
The Regional Council helped organize a second area event hosted by
Assembly Development Co-Chair and Fellow Trustee Suzanne Abnous and her
husband Razmik. More than 50 people, including California State Senator
Charles Poochigian (R-Fresno), Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar
and several Board of Directors Members, attended the dinner reception
which welcomed more than two dozen new members into the Assembly family.
“The event at the Abnous’ home was very much an extension of the
Assembly’s effort to share information with the community,” said
Barsamian. “Guests asked interesting and thoughtful questions about
Armenia’s current development and issues facing the Armenian-American
community at large. We thank Suzanne and Razmik for opening their home
and hosting an enjoyable evening.”
Following the San Francisco events, Barsamian, together with Board of
Directors Vice-Chair Annie Totah, Executive Director Ross Vartian and
senior staff traveled to Los Angeles to take part in a public briefing
and meetings with community leaders.
On November 7, the group participated in a luncheon with the leaders of
several community organizations including: the Armenian General
Benevolent Union, the Armenian Council of America, Armenia Fund Inc.,
the Armenian Bar Association, the Armenian Professional Society, the
Armenian Rights Council of America, the Armenian Chamber of Commerce,
Medical Outreach for Armenia, the Knights of Vartan, the Ramgavar Party
and the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church.
Later that day, more than 70 area supporters turned out for an
Assembly-led community briefing. Barsamian and Vartian provided an
overview of Assembly programs in Washington, Los Angeles and Yerevan.
They also discussed developments on the legislative front and encouraged
the audiences’ political activism.
“It was a pleasure to see so many familiar faces in this crowd,
including current Assembly supporters and former summer interns,” said
Barsamian. “We hope the community gained as much from our discussions
as we did.”
The Assembly wrapped-up its two-day swing of Los Angeles with a dinner
with media professionals at the Shiraz Restaurant. That event included
Armen Babajanyan of Zhamanak, Harut Der-Tavitian of Nor Serout TV and
Massis Weekly, Vahan Jansezian of Nor Hayastan and Osheen Keshishian of
The Armenian Observer.
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#2004-099
Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following links:
-099-2.jpg
Caption: Armenian Assembly Board of Directors Member Lisa Kalustian,
right, with Debbie Poochigan during a reception hosted by Suzanne and
Razmik Abnous on November 6.
Caption: Clockwise from top: Executive Director Ross Vartian, Board of
Directors Members: Lisa Esayian, Edele Hovnanian, Lisa Kalustian, Bryan
Ardouny, Richard Mushegain, Annie Totah, Development Co-Chair and Fellow
Trustee Suzanne and Rasmik Abnous, Board of Directors Members: Ralph
Tufenkian, Peter Vosbikian, Berge Ayvazian, Gail O’Reilly, Van
Krikorian, Board of Trustees President Carolyn Mugar and Board of
Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian.
Caption: Board of Directors Chairman Anthony Barsamian, left, and
Executive Director Ross Vartian, discuss Armenian-American issues with
community members in Los Angeles on November 7.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress