Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet
PRESS RELEASE
July 24, 2007
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
KARAKASHIAN EXPANDS ANCA CONGRESSIONAL EFFORTS ON CAPITOL HILL
WASHINGTON, DC – New Jersey lawyer and Armenian American community
activist Raffi N. Karakashian, Esq., has helped maximize the
Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) Congressional
outreach over the past several months, expanding the ANCA’s
presence on Capitol Hill and further leveraging nationwide
grassroots efforts in support of key legislative priorities.
Having joined the ANCA staff just weeks after the introduction of
the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106) on January 30, 2007,
Karakashian has quickly emerged as an effective and energetic
advocate of Armenian American issues, teaming with the ANCA’s
seasoned Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian, Esq. in
taking Congressional relations to a new level. Building on his
years of experience as a New Jersey activist and his past
experience in Washington, DC, Karakashian has hit the ground
running, educating Congressional staff about community concerns and
working with ANCA regional offices and local chapters to help
secure a Congressional majority in support of H.Res.106.
"With nationwide, grassroots mobilization for the Armenian Genocide
resolution in full swing and ongoing efforts to strengthen U.S.-
Armenia relations and ensure a brighter future for Nagorno
Karabagh, 2007 has been the perfect time to join the ANCA
Washington team," said Karakashian, who serves as ANCA Legislative
Affairs Director. "I look forward to continue working with Kate
and our affiliates across the nation as we work to increase our
Congressional outreach on behalf of our community."
"Raffi has been a tremendous addition to the ANCA team," said ANCA
Executive Director Aram Hamparian. "His energy, intellect, skills,
and devotion have been critical to leveraging the grassroots power
of our community, advancing our legislative agenda, and creating
new opportunities for Armenian Americans to have our voice heard in
Congress and throughout Washington, DC."
Karakashian received his Bachelor of Science from Boston College in
1999 in Chemistry and Political Science. He then studied law at
Seton Hall University, graduating with his Juris Doctorate degree
in 2003. He went on to serve as law clerk to the Hon. Daniel M.
Waldman, J.S.C. of the Superior Court of New Jersey in the 2003-
2004 court term, followed by positions at Evans, Osborne &
Kreizman, LLC in Ocean Township and Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla,
P.C. in Middletown.
Karakashian has been an active part of New Jersey’s vibrant
Armenian American community. He is an alumnus and former executive
member of the Central New Jersey Armenian Youth Federation
"Yerevan" Chapter and served as deacon at the St. Stepanos Armenian
Church in Elberon. He has interned with the Armenian Assembly of
America in 1998 and 1999, in Washington, DC with Rep. Frank
Pallone (D-NJ) and in Armenia, as the first Assembly intern at
Armenia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. A member of the ANC of New
Jersey, Karakashian has been active in New Jersey politics, having
worked on campaigns for former New Jersey State Assembly Speaker
Garabed "Chuck" Haytaian (R-NJ), Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-
Chair Frank Pallone and Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ).
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Photo Caption: ANCA Legislative Affairs Director Raffi N.
Karakashian, Esq.