Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
Web:

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 4, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: ckojoian@aaainc.org

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE TO MARK 15TH ANNIVERSARY OF ARMENIA’S
INDEPENDENCE

Beverly Hills, CA – As the Republic of Armenia prepares to celebrate
15 years of independence next month, the Assembly today welcomed a
decision by California State Senators Charles Poochigian (R-Fresno) and
Joseph Simitian (D-Palo Alto) to introduce a resolution in the State
Senate designating September 21, 2006 as "Armenian Independence Day."

A similar resolution will also be introduced in the State Assembly
by Majority Leader Dario Frommer (D-Glendale) and Assembly Member
Greg Aghazarian (R-Stockton), making California the first state to
mark the anniversary of Armenia’s independence.

"The Armenian Assembly would like to thank Senators Poochigian and
Simitian, as well as Assembly Members Frommer and Aghazarian, for their
leadership and for promoting ever-closer U.S.-Armenia relations,"
said Western Office Director Lena Kaimian. "Through their efforts,
California continues to be at the forefront of new legislative
initiatives in promoting issues important to Armenian-Americans."

Simitian and Frommer both participated in an Assembly-led delegation
to Armenia in 2001.

Both resolutions recognize September 21, as "A Day of Celebration
of the California-Armenia Relationship," and encourage the people
of California to recognize the many talents, achievements, and
contributions that Californians of Armenian heritage make.

The resolutions also note that California is home to the largest
population of Armenians in the U.S., and state, "those citizens have
enriched California through leadership in the fields of academia,
medicine, business, agriculture, government, and the arts, and are
proud patriotic practitioners of the American citizenship."

Since its independence from the Soviet Union in December 1991, Armenia
has vigorously pursued free-market reforms within a democratic
framework. The United States was among the first countries to
recognize the fledgling democracy and over the years, the governments
developed a strong partnership based on shared values and mutual goals.

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#2006-073

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress