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Armenian National Committee of Texas
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: Tuesday, September 5, 2006

Contact: Vatche Hovsepian

Tel: (281) 558-1918

Texas ANC Meets with Congressman Al Green

-Meeting Is Part of Western Region Effort to Increase Understanding
of Armenian Issues

HOUSTON, TX – The Armenian National Committee of Texas met with
Congressman Al Green (D- Houston)at his district office on Tuesday,
August 8th as part of series of meetings to connect Armenian Americans
with their representatives and update them on issues of concern to
the community.

Vatche Hovsepian, Chairman of ANC Texas, was joined by community
members Ani Frankian and Ellen Hovsepian in thanking Congressman
Green for his co-sponsorship of H.Res.316, the Armenian Genocide
resolution. During the meeting, attendees informed the Congressman
about the current concerns of the Armenian American community.

The Texas Armenian American community expressed their concern regarding
the firing of US Ambassador to Armenia, John Marshall Evans and the
current Ambassador-designate, Richard Hoagland. Congressman Green was
very interested to learn about the situation and what the response
had been from his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Meeting attendees also informed the Congressman about the importance
of H.R.3361, which prevents the United States from financing a railway
in the southern Caucasus region that excludes Armenia, and H.R.3103,
the Open Railways Act, which calls on the Republic of Turkey to end
its blockade of Armenia. Hovsepian emphasized the need to maintain
military aid parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan – especially in
light of continued war rhetoric issued by Azeri President, Ilham
Aliyev and other members of the Azeri government.

Rep. Green expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to meet with
the Armenian American community in Houston. After the meeting, he was
presented with a copy of Peter Balakian’s book, "The Burning Tigris".

Congressman Al Green represents Texas’ 9th district which includes
the southwest metropolitan portion of the City of Houston and the
City of Missouri City in Fort Bend County. His district is home to
a significant number of Armenian Americans.

Editor’s Note: Photo included (left to right): Ani Frankian, Vatche
Hovsepian, Congressman Al Green, and Ellen Hovsepian.