PRESS RELEASE
Armenian National Committee
of New Jersey
461 Bergen Boulevard
Ridgefield, NJ 07657
Contact: Ani Tchaghlasian
Tel: 201 945 0011
Fax: 718 651 3637
E-mail: ancaer@anca.org
Web:

ANC of NJ Commends Congressman Garrett for His Staunch Support on
Armenian-American Issues

PARAMUS, NJ – The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of New Jersey held a
meeting with Congressman Scott Garrett (R-NJ) on Wednesday, August 31, in
his district office in Paramus, where activists thanked the U.S.
Representative for his support and informed him of how he could become an
even greater friend to the large Armenian-American community in his
district. The district includes the largest concentration of Armenians in
the state of New Jersey including the communities of New Milford, Paramus
and Franklin Lakes as well as encompassing the churches of St. Thomas, St.
Leon’s and the Armenian Presbyterian Church.

Representing the ANC were the chairperson of the New Jersey chapter Ani
Tchaghlasian, as well as ANC of New Jersey activists Alex Sarafian, Melanie
Tavitian and Michael Tcheyan. The congressman was accompanied by Director
of Outreach Matthew Barnes and Constituent Services Officer Rudy Solar.

Tchaghlasian and Sarafian thanked the congressman for signing the letter
addressed to President Bush, urging him to issue a strong April 24th
Statement, as well as for being one of the earliest co-sponsors of H.R. 316,
which would reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide. They also
thanked him for co-sponsoring H.R. 3361, which would prohibit U.S.
assistance for the building of railroads traversing the Caucasus that
circumvent Armenia. The measure, entitled the “South Caucasus Integration
and Open Railroads Act of 2005,” was introduced by Congressman Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), and George Radanovich (R-CA).

Congressman Garrett and ANC activists focused much of their discussion on
the importance of Armenia being included in all regional economic and
commercial projects in the South Caucasus. The World Bank and the
International Monetary Fund have recognized Armenia for making the most
rapid progress in adopting free market reforms in the region. This is
largely why the Heritage Foundation has characterized Armenia as the only
mostly free society in the Commonwealth of Independent States (former Soviet
Union.) Garrett agreed that attempts by neighboring countries like
Azerbaijan and Turkey to lay down transportation infrastructure around
Armenia should not receive the U.S. government’s financial support.

Tchaghlasian and Sarafian asked the Congressman to consider becoming a
member of the House International Relations Committee (HIRC) or the
Appropriations Committee, where the most important legislation concerning
Armenia must originate before becoming law. On September 15, the HIRC voted
overwhelmingly in favor of recognizing the Armenian Genocide.

`We deeply appreciate Congressman Garrett’s unequivocal support on issues of
importance to the Armenian-American communities of New Jersey,’ said ANC of
NJ Chair, Ani Tchaghlasian. `Whether it is recognizing the Armenian
Genocide, ensuring a just settlement to the Karabagh conflict or supporting
Armenia’s developing economy, he has demonstrated that he is a true friend
in Congress to his Armenian-American constituents.’