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
September 13, 2005
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
ASSEMBLY ARAMAC ACTIVISTS URGE LAWMAKERS TO SUPPORT ARMENIAN ISSUES
Washington, DC – In a push to increase House and Senate support for
Armenian issues, Assembly grassroots activists met with several
lawmakers in their home districts during the month-long congressional
summer recess.
Assembly Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue and Western Office
Director Lena Kaimian led community meetings in California, Colorado,
Illinois, Minnesota and New York to encourage legislators there to
support the pan-Armenian genocide resolution, as well as legislation
that would bar U.S. funding for a railroad connecting Turkey, Georgia
and Azerbaijan.
Beginning in California on August 4, activists met with Armenian
Caucus Member Rep. Joseph Baca (D-CA). The Assembly delegation briefed
Baca on current legislation and encouraged his future involvement on
community issues. As a result of the meeting, Baca agreed to
cosponsor both the Armenian Genocide resolution and the rail measure.
The following week, Kaimian had an hour-long meeting with
newly-elected Rep. Dan Lungren (R-CA) to urge him to join the Caucus
while Hiteshue and activists met with Armenian Caucus Member
Rep. Betty McCollum (D-MN) and her staff. The group thanked the
Congresswoman for backing the Armenian Genocide resolution,
H. Res. 316, which would reaffirm the U.S. record on the crime against
humanity.
“The Congresswoman once again pledged her support for reaffirmation of
the Armenian Genocide and her desire to continue strengthening ties
between the U.S. and Armenia,” said ARAMAC State Chair for Minnesota
Lou Ann Matossian who participated in the meeting. “Congresswoman
McCollum has been a great friend of the Armenian community in our
state.”
Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian also led a community
meeting with Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), who agreed to cosponsor
the Armenian Genocide resolution at the group’s request.
Assembly activists also met with Representatives Susan Davis (D-CA)
and Gary Miller (R-CA), as well as staff members from the offices of:
Senators Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Barack Obama (D-IL) and
Representatives Bob Beauprez (R-CO), Tim Bishop (D-NY), Rahm Emanuel
(D-IL), Jim Ramstad (R-MN), John Salazar (D-CO), Thomas Tancredo
(R-CO) and Mark Udall (D-CO). Armenians of Colorado joined the
Assembly delegation for meetings in their state.
In conjunction with the district meetings, ARAMAC held a Midwest
Regional Issue Briefing and Advocacy Workshop on August 20 at
St. Sahag Armenian Church in St. Paul, MN. Board of Directors Vice
Chair Lisa Esayian shared with participants her impressions of Armenia
from her recent trip and discussed the importance of grassroots
advocacy. Hiteshue also led a workshop on increasing the Assembly’s
outreach efforts in the Midwest. Kansas State Chair Alex Kotoyantz,
along with ARAMAC State Chair for Minnesota Lou Ann Matossian and Vice
Chair Aram Desteian, were among the participants.
On August 23, ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam-Brown, and
her husband Stanley, hosted a reception for community activists at
their Boulder, CO home. The event included a legislative update from
Kaimian.
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#2005-088
Photographs available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following
links:
CAPTION: L to R: ARAMAC State Chair for Minnesota Lou Ann Matossian,
Assembly Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue, Assembly Associate
Trustee Kathy Cafesjian Baradaran, Representative Betty McCollum
(D-MN) and ARAMAC State Vice Chair for Minnesota Aram Desteian during
their meeting in St. Paul, MN on August 17.
CAPTION: L to R: Dr. Sarkis Broussalian, Western Office Director Lena
Kaimian, Vasken Imasdounian, Diane Cabraloff, Congressman Gary Miller
(R-CA), Rita Topalian, Vahe Charkhutian, Anoush Cabraloff and Assembly
Western Office Deputy Director Nicole Shahenian during their meeting
on August 8.
CAPTION: L to R: Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, Betty
Ohanessian, ARAMAC State Chair for Colorado Pamela Barsam-Brown,
former Assembly intern Kim Christianian and Stanley Brown during a
community reception hosted by the Browns.
CAPTION: L to R: Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian,
Grassroots Director Nancy Hiteshue, Assembly Supporting Affiliate
Vartan Paylan, Rep. Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Former Assembly Intern
Arpi Paylan and Haiganoush Paylan.