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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
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PRESS RELEASE
Wednesday, September 14, 2005

Contact: Talin Gregorian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR LEADS CONSTITUENT MEETING WITH CONGRESSWOMAN LOIS CAPPS

–Rep. Lois Capps Adds Her Support for Armenian Genocide Resolution

SANTA BARBARA, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America-Western
Region (ANCA-WR), along with long-time Santa Barbara resident and
Armenian American community-member Haik Hakobian, met with US
Representative Lois Capps in her District Office in Santa Barbara on
Friday, September 2nd.

During their meeting, the ANCA-WR introduced a number of measures of
interest to the Armenian American community pending in the House of
Representatives to Congresswoman Capps. ANCA-WR Regional Director
Armen Carapetian gave a summary of the Armenian Genocide resolutions,
H.Res. 316 and H.Con.Res. 195, the South Caucasus Integration and Open
Railroads Act of 2005 (H.R. 3361) introduced by the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues Chairmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and Representative George Radanovich (R-CA), as well as
a bill aimed to end the Turkish blockade of Armenia (H.R. 3103)
introduced by Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA). A strong supporter of
issues of concern of Armenian Americans, Representative Capps
immediately expressed her support for the Armenian Genocide
resolutions and stressed her concern over ongoing attempts on behalf
of Turkey and Azerbaijan that aim to strangle the Republic of
Armenia’s forward progress.

`The Congresswoman’s immediate and strong support for the issues that
we discussed during our meeting was very touching,’ said Haik
Hakobian. `She has a very good understanding of the issues that the
Republic of Armenia confronts today and of what we as Armenian
Americans face in our efforts to strengthen US-Armenia relations.’

Upon her return to Capitol Hill from the August Recess, Representative
Capps fulfilled her pledge and became a cosponsor of H.Res. 316,
introduced by Representatives George Radanovich (R-CA), Adam Schiff
(D-CA), Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ). H.Res. 316
currently has 124 cosponsors and is awaiting a markup by the House
International relations Committee on Thursday, September 15th.

`The Armenian Genocide was a tragedy of enormous proportions. If
Turkey doesn’t acknowledge this tragedy they will not be able to move
past it,’ stated Congresswoman Lois Capps.

Representative Lois Capps was among many Members of Congress that
ANCA-WR met over the August Recess to discuss issues of concern to
Armenian Americans, including, Representatives Susan Davis (D-CA),
Howard `Buck’ McKeon (R-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Adam Schiff (D-CA),
and Diane Watson (D-CA). The meetings aimed to introduce Members of
Congress to their Armenian American constituents, discuss and
galvanize support for issues of concern to Armenian Americans, and
strategize on how to advance these issues.

`Congresswoman Capps represents a majority of Congressional members
who support issues of concern to Armenian Americans such as the
resolutions affirming the Armenian Genocide,’ said Armen
Carapetian. `Members of Congress want to respect the views of their
constituents, so it is imperative that Armenian Americans express
their concerns to their Representatives.’

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: Photos attached. Photo 1 caption: Representative Capps
discusses recent key legislation that is of concern to the Armenian
American community. Photo 2 caption: From left to right – ANCA-WR
Government Relations Director Armen Carapetian, ANCA-WR Communications
Manager Talin Gregorian, Representative Lois Capps, and Haik Hakobian.