Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
July 29, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
RE: Assembly Executive Director thanks House Members for Supporting
Armenian Cause
Washington, DC – As Congress prepares to recess for the summer, the
Armenian Assembly wrapped up a series of key meetings, thanking
lawmakers for cosponsoring the pan-community Armenian Genocide
resolution (H. Res. 316) and urging them to support other crucial
legislation.
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny met with Congressman Mike
Bilirakis (R-FL) to thank him for his continued support and to discuss
the South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act of 2005
(H. R. 3361), which Bilirakis agreed to cosponsor. The resolution
would bar U.S. assistance for a proposed Kars-Akhalkalaki rail link
that isolates Armenia from East-West commercial corridors.
Ardouny, together with Congressional Relations Director Rob Mosher,
also met with Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), who agreed to
cosponsor the Genocide bill (H. Res. 316) during the meeting. The
Assembly delegates also urged Fitzpatrick to support the railroad
legislation (H. R. 3361).
In other meetings, Ardouny met with Representatives Dan Lungren
(R-CA), Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) and Frank Wolf (R-VA) to discuss
several issues including the blockades and Nagorno Karabakh peace
process.
Ardouny and longtime Assembly Fellow Trustee James Melikian of
California also met with Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA), both members of the House
Committee on International Relations, to thank them specifically for
their efforts to reaffirm the Armenian Genocide.
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#2005-084
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny,
Congressman Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Assembly Congressional
Relations Director Rob Mosher.
CAPTION: L to R: Ardouny, Congressman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Assembly
Trustee Jim Melikian.