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: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE April 19, 2007
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
ANCA-WR Welcomes Unanimity of Colorado Delegation– Colorado joins
Massachusetts and Rhode Island as States with Unanimous Congressional
Support for H. Res. 106 and S. Res. 106
Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) has learned that Colorado has joined Massachusetts and
Rhode Island to become the third state with a complete Congressional
delegation in support of both H. Res. 106 and S. Res. 106. The ANCA-WR
is happy to report that Colorado activists were instrumental in gaining
the cosponsorship support of the Colorado delegation.
With the recent additions of Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Congressman
Thomas Tancredo (R-CO-06), the Colorado Delegation now unanimously
supports the Armenian Genocide Resolutions of the Senate and House of
Representatives. Senator Salazar joined Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) and
Rep. Tancredo joined Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Rep. Mark Udall
(D-CO-02), Rep. John Salazar (D-CO-03), Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO-04),
Rep. Douglas Lamborn (R-CO-05) and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO-07) in
cosponsorship.
As an example of their grassroots efforts, on March 23, 2007, local
constituents Kim Christianian, Ken Allikian, Denise and Diane Gentilini
and Michael Chandler met with Congressman Ed Perlmutter’s local district
office in Lakewood as part of their grassroots efforts in Colorado. The
constituents met with Congressman Perlmutter’s Congressional Aide,
Christopher Votoupal to discuss H. Res. 106 and to urge the Congressman
to join the Armenian Caucus. During this meeting, the group discussed
issues ranging from the assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist
Hrant Dink to the re-nomination of Richard Hoagland as U.S. Ambassador
to Armenia.
"This meeting was a good opportunity to articulate issues that are
important to Armenian-Americans that go beyond H. Res. 106 regarding
Armenia and its future," said Christianian. "Even though Rep. Perlmutter
had already signed on as a cosponsor, it is always important to meet
with local Congressmen and strengthen your ties with both them and their
staff."
Because Congressman Perlmutter had already signed on to H. Res. 106, the
constituents asked him to also urge his colleague Senator Ken Salazar to
also join as a cosponsor. "This is a collaborative effort between all
the local organizations working on getting this Resolution passed
whether it is the Armenian National Committee of Colorado or the
Armenian Assembly," said Christianian. "We are very pleased with the
work we have done and happy to do our part here."
"Colorado provides a wonderful example of the power of grassroots
advocacy," stated Andrew Kzirian, ANCA-WR Executive Director. "The
POWER Initiative will continue to reach out to the Western United States
to ensure that the interests of the Armenian American community are
represented properly," he added.
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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