AAA DISCUSSED ISSUES CRITICAL TO THE ARMENIAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY WITH THE OFFICES OF SENATE MAJORITY LEADER HARRY REID AND SENATOR JOHN ENSIGN
DeFacto Agency, Armenia
April 17 2007
The Western Office of Armenian Assembly of America led a community
meeting with the offices of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV)
and Senator John Ensign (R-NV) in Las Vegas, Nevada, to discuss issues
critical to the Armenian-American community.
Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, along with Parish Council
Member Fredrick Gregorian and Ladies Guild Chair Olga Gregorian of
the Armenian Apostolic Church of Las Vegas, Jerry Guederian, who
serves as Armenian Council of America’s Nevada Representative and
community activist Gerard Costantian, discussed the importance of
congressional passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution pending in
the Senate and House (S. Res. 106 and H. Res. 106 respectively), as
well as S. Res. 65, condemning the murder of Hrant Dink. Additional
topics included the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations requests for
Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh, military parity and the importance of
lifting the Turkish blockade and regional transportation corridors.
"We are fortunate to have such an active community in Las Vegas and
the strong bipartisan support of the State’s Senators," said Kaimian.
"We look forward to expanding these relationships, and hope that S.
Res. 106 will be scheduled for a vote in the Senate," Kaimian added.
The group commended the long-time support of both Senators and thanked
Ensign for introducing S. Res. 106 along with his Senate Colleague
Richard Durbin (D-IL). Fredrick and Olga Gregorian also provided an
update on the activities of Nevada’s growing community.
"As an Assembly intern alumnus and a concerned Armenian-American, I
strongly support the Assembly’s advocacy agenda and goal to strengthen
the U.S.-Armenia relationship," said Costantian. On a similar note,
Guederian stressed the importance of activism on legislative issues
and reaching out to lawmakers.