Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
E-mail: ancawr@anca.org
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PRESS RELEASE
April 12, 2007

Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

ANCA-WR Joins California Legislature in Marking Armenian Genocide

Sacramento, CA – On Monday April 9, 2007 the California State Assembly
and Senate passed Assembly Joint Resolution 15 (AJR 15), which declares
April 24, 2007 an "Official Day of Remembrance" in California.

During the assembly session the coauthors of AJR 15, Assemblymembers
Paul Krekorian and Greg Aghazarian presented the legislation. They
emphasized that, while resolutions have been adopted in the past to
designate April 24th as a Day of Remembrance, this resolution goes
further by expressing that the Congress and President should
appropriately recognize the Genocide, demanding that the Republic of
Turkey acknowledge the Genocide and condemning them for their current
abuses of human rights. Specific reference was made to the assassination
of Hrant Dink.

After being put to a vote, the resolution was accepted on the assembly
floor. The resolution was principally coauthored by Senators Jack Scott
and Joe Simitian, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, and Assemblymembers
Charles Calderon, Kevin De Leon, Mark Leno, Fiona Ma, and Anthony
Portantino. Before the closing of the session Assemblymember Krekorian
thanked those in the Armenian community in attendance, especially ANC
2000 Man of the Year J. Michael Hagopian, a distinguished film maker and
genocide survivor who received a standing applause from the members.

Following the vote, a special commemoration ceremony was held in the
Assembly chamber. At the conclusion of the session a reception was held,
which was hosted by the Armenian Caucus of the State Legislature. Many
members of the delegation, as well as members from the Armenian American
community, were able to meet with legislators and legislative staff.

Additionally, on the same day a commemoration ceremony was held on the
California Senate floor. Both AJR 15 coauthors, Senators Jack Scott
and Joe Simitian, addressed the Senate on the occasion of commemorating
April 24 and the Armenian Genocide. The opening prayer was given by the
designated representative of Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Father
Vahan Gosdanian of the Holy Trinity Church of Fresno. After the remarks
of both Senator Simitian and Senator Scott, Senator Simitian introduced
The Consul General of the Republic of Armenia to Los Angeles, Armen
Liloyan. Liloyan extended gratitude and appreciation to both Houses of
California’s legislature and applauded the reaffirmation of California’s
firm stance against injustice.

"The California legislature today demonstrated its commitment to the
protection of human rights everywhere," stated ANCA-WR Board Member
Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian. She added, "We are happy to see
California’s commemorative ceremonies calling for recognition of the
Armenian Genocide – and with 38 states that have issued similar
declarations and resolutions – the time is ripe for the United States
Congress to do the same."

The Armenian National Committee of America 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.

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Photo caption #1: (left to right) Artur Artenyan, ANC of San Francisco
Bay Area District Director Matt Senekerimian, ANCA-WR Board Member
Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian, Genocide Survivor J. Michael Hagopian, Consul
General Armen Liloyan, Assemblymember Paul Krekorian, ANCA-WR Board
Member Hovannes Boghosian, ANCA-WR Board Member Souzi
Zerounian-Khanzadian, Assemblymember Greg Aghazarian, Daniel Adenian,
Rev. Vahan Gosdanian, ANC of San Francisco Bay Area Activist and former
ANCA-WR Executive Director Armen Carapetian, and ANCA-WR Board Member
Leonard Manoukian.

Photo caption #2: (center) California State Senator Jack Scott, (left to
right) ANC of San Francisco Bay Area Activist and former ANCA-WR
Executive Director Armen Carapetian, ANC of San Francisco Bay Area
District Director Matt Senekerimian, ANCA-WR Board Member Leonard
Manoukian, ANCA-WR Board Member Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, Foundation
for Economic Development, Inc. Director Johnny Nalbandian, and ANCA-WR
Board Member Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian.