Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
anca@anca.org
PRESS RELEASE

Thursday, January 11, 2007

Contact: Lerna Kayserian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

SENATOR FEINSTEIN EXPRESSES SERIOUS MISGIVINGS OVER EVANS DISMISSAL

LOS ANGELES, CA- The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
(ANCA-WR) today praised Senator Diane Feinstein’s concerns regarding the
dismissal of former Ambassador to Armenia John Marshall Evans. The Senator,
in her correspondence with the Western Region, shared that she is closely
looking into the nomination of Richard Hoagland to be the next Ambassador to
the Republic of Armenia.

In her letter to the Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region, Senator Feinstein expressed severe misgivings about the dismissal of
John Marshall Evans and the nomination of Richard Hoagland as the next
Ambassador to Armenia. Senator Feinstein further solidified her commitment
to recognizing the Armenian Genocide and in representing the views and
concerns of Armenian Americans in California, as well as throughout the
United States.

The correspondence includes the Senator’s most recent statement on the 91st
anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. "Everyday, numerous constituents from
different backgrounds call my office asking what Congress and the
Administration is doing to prevent genocide from occurring again," states
Feinstein. "It is absolutely essential that we do not let history repeat
itself. We can – and we must – do better."

Richard Hoagland was first nominated as Ambassador-designate on May 23, 2006
by President Bush. Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), took a principled stance on
September 12, 2006 by placing a parliamentary hold on the nomination of
Hoagland and urged the Administration to revise its policy on the Armenian
Genocide. On December 8th of last year, after the Senate failed to confirm
Hoagland, his nomination was returned to the President upon the adjournment
of the 109th Congress. With the expiration of the Hoagland nomination, the
President was free to appoint a new candidate for the position in the 110th
Congress, but chose instead to submit Hoagland’s name again despite strong
Congressional opposition to his confirmation.

The Armenian National Committee of America (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.