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

PRESS RELEASE
Friday, July 8, 2005

Contact: Armen Carapetian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR CONGRATULATES ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA ON INAUGURATION AS MAYOR

— Los Angeles City Officials Sworn in for New Term

LOS ANGELES, CA – Members of the Armenian National Committee of
America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) and Armenian American community
leaders joined thousands of Angelenos in the inauguration ceremonies
held to swear in Los Angeles city officials for a new term on July 1,
2005. Antonio Villaraigosa, who was endorsed by the ANCA, officially
took on the responsibilities of Mayor of Los Angeles from the outgoing
James Hahn.

Echoing his campaign theme of inclusion, Mayor Villaraigosa made the
following comments in his inaugural address:

“Dream with me of a Los Angeles where it doesn’t matter whether you’re
African American, Latino, Caucasian, or Asian. Whether you’re Jewish
or Muslim, Protestant or Catholic. Whether you’re from Watts or
Westwood. Where every Angeleno is an equal stakeholder in our city’s
future.”

Among the many Armenian Americans attending the day’s events were His
Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western
Armenian Apostolic Church of America, members of the Consulate of the
Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian and
City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian, Downey Councilman Kirk Catorzian,
Chairwoman of the Armenian Relief Society of Western US Angela
Savoian, member of the Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary
Federation Karo Khanjian, members of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors
Zanku Armenian, Ara Bedrosian, and Steven Dadaian, and ANCA-WR
supporter Peklar Pilavjian. On hand were high level public officials
such as Vice President Al Gore and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as well
as religious, community, and industry leaders from various
backgrounds.

“The Armenian National Committee has stood with Antonio since his days
in the California Assembly because of his moral stance on issues of
concern to Armenian Americans and his efforts to include individuals
of all ethnic backgrounds in civic affairs,” said Steven Dadaian, who
chairs the ANCA-WR and is a member of Mayor Villaraigosa’s transition
team. “We congratulate Mayor Villaraigosa on his victory and look
forward to working with him in the years to come,” stated Dadaian.

The inaugural events began with an interfaith ceremony held at Our
Lady of the Angeles Cathedral in the morning. Participants joined the
procession from the Cathedral to City Hall following the services. Los
Angeles City Controller Laura Chick, City Attorney Rockard John
Delgadillo, and members of the City Council Eric Garcetti, Janice
Hahn, Alex Padilla, Jan Perry, Ed Reyes, Bill Rosendahl, Jack Weiss,
and Dennis Zine took their oaths of office for their new terms before
the Honorable Stephen Reinhardt, United States Court Of Appeals for
the Ninth Circuit, swore Antonio Villaraigosa in as Mayor of Los
Angeles.

In his closing remarks, Mayor Villaraigosa praised and challenged his
fellow Angelenos by saying “I will never forget where I came from. And
I will always believe in the value of every Angeleno. This is truly
our town. And we all have a contribution to make.”

Following his speech, Mayor Villaraigosa invited everyone to eat,
drink and watch the live performances that were staged on Main Street
in front of City Hall. Among the performances were three Armenian
dances presented by the Hamazkayin Niari Dance Group led by Katherine
Hairabetian.

The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a
broad range of issues.

Editor’s Note: Photo attached. Photo caption: Archbishop Moushegh
Mardirossian walking with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during the
procession to City Hall.