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Armenian National Committee – Texas Chapter
11301 Richmond Ave. # K108
Houston, Texas 77082
Phone: 281.558.1918
anctexas@anctexas.org
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PRESS RELEASE +++ PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: Friday, August 18, 2006
Contact: Vatche Hovsepian
Tel: (281) 558-1918
ANC OF TEXAS MEETS WITH LONE STAR STATE LEGISLATORS
HOUSTON, TX – Taking advantage of the August Congressional recess,
the Armenian National Committee of Texas today wrapped up its first
week of district office meetings to update Lone Star State
legislators on a broad range of Armenian American legislative
priorities.
As part of its ongoing effort to connect the Texas Armenian American
community with their federal representatives, the ANC of Texas met
with Congressmen Ron Paul (R-Victoria) and Charles Gonzalez (D-San
Antonio). The leadership of the Texas community also met with senior
aides in the office of Congressman Lamar Smith (R-Austin).
Kicking off the week this past Monday, ANC of Texas member Vrouir
Frankian was joined by Mhair Dekmezian and Zaven Ouzounian for a
meeting with Congressman Paul and his deputy District Director,
Dianna Kile, in his Lake Johnson office. Topics discussed included
the current status of Armenian Genocide legislation and ongoing
Nagorno Karabagh peace talks. Mr. Frankian also raised the matter of
Azerbaijan’s recent desecration and destruction of the historic
Djulfa Armenian cemetery to the Congressman’s attention, as well as
the impact of the ongoing blockade of Armenia by Turkey and
Azerbaijan.
Representative Paul said he would look into co-sponsoring H.Res.316,
the Armenian Genocide Resolution. The meeting attendees thanked the
Congressman for his support of H.R. 3361, the Open Railroads Act that
prevents the United States from financially backing a proposed
railroad in the South Caucasus that would bypass Armenia.
On Friday, the Chairman of the ANC of Texas, Vatche Hovsepian, took
to the road to lead delegations of constituents in Congressional
meetings in San Antonio and Austin. In the morning, Mr. Hovsepian
was joined by San Antonians, Dr. Sos Aghoyan, Zaven Ekmekjian, Dr.
Tavit Hagopian, Haig Panoyan, and Diran Yeghparian for a meeting with
Congressman Charles Gonzalez. The Congressman noted that the
Armenian Genocide must be recognized and promised to co-sponsor
H.Res.316. He also conveyed his support for maintaining parity in
U.S. military aid to Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Congressman was
pleased to meet with the many constituents in attendance and enjoyed
hearing about how they were contributing to the health and welfare of
the broader San Antonio community.
Following the meeting with Congressman Gonzales, the Chairman of the
ANC of Texas was joined by Austin community members Ken Maranian and
Khachig Papanyan for a meeting with Congressman Lamar Smith’s
community liaison.
"The meetings we have held with Members of Congress and their aides
have been productive," noted Vatche Hovsepian. "These Congressmen
are, today, even more familiar with Armenian American issues, and, as
a result, when they come across these issues in Washington, D.C.
they will know that they have constituents at home who are attentive
to how they address these matters."
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.