Armenia Fund, Inc.
111 North Jackson St. Ste. 205
Glendale, CA 91206

Tel: 818-243-6222
Fax: 818-243-7222
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PRESS RELEASE
Contact ~ Sarkis Kotanjian
info@armeniafund.org

Mayor Villaraigosa Gives Support to Armenia Fund’s Telethon 2006

LOS ANGELES, CA – Armenia Fund is pleased to announce that the Mayor of
the City of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa has joined in rallying
support for the Armenia Fund’s Telethon.

In his special appeal given to the Armenia Fund, Mayor Villaraigosa said
"Los Angeles is home to the largest population of Armenians living
outside the Republic of Armenia and happens to be the home city of
Armenia Fund’s largest affiliate". Commending Armenia Fund’s solid track
record Villaraigosa highlighted the fact that since its inception
Armenia Fund has raised over $160 million dollars for the construction
of roads, hospitals, schools, housing units, and waterways in Armenia.
"You should be proud of your efforts," added Villaraigosa.

The Mayor said that he is looking forward to the sister city partnership
with the City of Yerevan and Los Angeles. The special partnership will
bring the two cities closer through various exchanges, including
humanitarian assistance to Armenia. Indeed, Villaraigosa has been at the
forefront of bringing Los Angeles to the international community through
an aggressive pursuit of economic, trade, and tourism development
abroad. His recent visit to China marked the opening of a first ever Los
Angeles Office of Tourism and Trade in the capital – Beijing.

"Using this opportunity, I would like to also congratulate all Armenians
around the world for the 15th anniversary of Armenia’s independence,"
added Villaraigosa.

Armenia Fund’s 9th International Telethon is a live 12 hour broadcast
airing in all major U.S. cities, as well as internationally in Europe,
the Middle East, Asia, Australia, and South America. The live program
will also be webcasted via Armenia Fund’s website at
Armenia Fund’s Thanksgiving Day Telethons have been
a tradition in the greater Armenian Diaspora. The Telethon is an
international act of unity that brings together Armenia Fund’s
supporters, community and religious leaders, as well as celebrities with
one mission – to help rebuild Armenia. The telethon also features live
connections from Paris, Buenos Aires, New York, Moscow, and other cities
where Armenia Fund has a presence. Over the last two years, the Telethon
has raised more than $20 million for reconstruction projects in Armenia.
During the 2005 Telethon, Armenia Fund registered the highest number of
donors, marking an all time high in public participation and support.

Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation
established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and
infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh.
Since 1991, Armenia Fund has rendered more than $160 million in
development aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia Fund, Inc. is
the U.S. Western Region affiliate of `Hayastan’ All-Armenian Fund. Tax
ID# 95-4485698