Armenian Youth Federation-YOARF Eastern US
80 Bigelow Ave
Watertown, MA 02472
Tel. (617) 923-1933
Fax (617) 924-1933

Press Release
For Immediate Release ~ August 15, 2005
Contact: Sossi Essajanian
(617) 923-1933
pr@ayf.org

Illinois State Senator Meets with Chicago AYF Member, Discusses
Genocide
Education Resolution

HIGHWOOD, Ill. – Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Chicago chapter
member Karine Birazian recently met with Illinois State Senator Susan
Garrett to thank her for cosponsoring HB0312, a resolution recently
signed by Governor Blagojevich that will incorporate teaching of the
Armenian genocide in the Illinois curriculum.

The meeting with Garrett focused on current issues regarding the law
and efforts to raise genocide awareness within the Illinois school
system. During the meeting, Birazian also discussed other issues
concerning the Armenian community and ways to strengthen ties with
the state senate.

“Overall, I felt that this meeting was a great opportunity to get to
know Senator Garrett. The meeting was very positive and has opened
the doors to a great relationship between that state senator and the
Armenian community. We are honored and proud that Senator Garrett
understands the importance of our cause and is aware of our issues,”
said Birazian.

Senator Garrett, who has been a state senator since 2003, serves
on a variety of committees including the education committee. “As
a member of the Education Committee in the State Senate, I am very
committed to ensuring that our local schools provide the facts of how
the unthinkable atrocities, as a result of genocide, have devastated
civilizations throughout the world,” said Garrett.