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

PRESS RELEASE
September 15, 2005
Contact: Sossi Essajanian
(617) 923-1933
Detroit AYF Member Meets with Local Rep.
ANC, McCotter Discuss Genocide Legislation

WATERTOWN, Mass.?On August 17, Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Detroit
chapter member Teny Mishigian joined Armenian National Committee (ANC)
of Michigan members Harry Derderian, Narses Gedigian, Ralph Kourtjian,
and Armen Derderian for a meeting with local Congressman Thaddeus
McCotter and his aide, Don Yowchuang, to discuss the ongoing Armenian
genocide resolutions.

Meeting the group in Livonia, Mich., the Congressman discussed his
efforts made through congress and foreign interest on the Genocide
issue. He said that no country that lies about their past has any
place in the European Union, and that the Armenian-Turkish issue
remains necessary for Turkey’s admittance of the truth both in
Congress and in the political world.

When asked about the Turkish blockade of Armenia, the Congressman said
that although Turkey would neither be “nice” nor agreeable anytime
soon, the American relationship with Turkey has been ever-changing. He
said that the pressure must stay on congress through a complex
approach.

“As an AYF member and active supporter of Armenian issues, I, along
with the other attendees, left the meeting feeling gratified for the
opportunity to meet with a congressman who proudly supports our
Armenian cause,” said Mishigian. “If Armenians continue to strongly
support and encourage our local congressmen and political leaders, we
may see the issue of genocide more than just a grouping of descriptive
words out of a president’s mouth. Let us fight until the day the
Armenian genocide is recognized by Turkey, by America, and by the
entire world.”

McCotter was elected to Congress in 2002 and works on the Budget
Committee, Small Business Committee, and International Relations
Committee.