Armenian National Committee of Orange County
5305 West McFadden Avenue

Santa Ana, CA 92704

E-mail: info@ancoc.org

Web:

PRESS RELEASE
: August 21, 2007

Contact: Lucy Der Yeghiaian

Tel: info@ancoc.org

ANC of Orange County Builds Strong Ties With California State Legislator
Mimi Walters

Laguna Hills, CA – The Armenian National Committee of Orange County (ANC-OC)
met with California Assembly Member Mimi Walters on Thursday, August 16,
2007 in her Laguna Hills office to discuss issues relating to the growing
Armenian American community in Orange County. ANC-OC Board Member Ara
Malazian was joined by Walters’ constituents Kevork and Alex Der Alexanian.

Malazian and the Der Alexanians updated Walters about the Orange County
Armenian American community’s recent events, including the highly successful
Walk for Remembrance Armenian Genocide commemoration event earlier this
year. They also discussed Senate Bill 515, which will extend the sunset
date for California’s trade office in Armenia from January 1, 2008 until
January 1, 2010. The California-Armenia Trade Office has been in operation
since October of 2005. While the office has only been open for a little over
a year, California exports to Armenia have increased by 50%, reaching an
all-time maximum. The office also builds upon California’s Memorandum of
Understanding with Republic of Armenian (signed in November 2001).

"We appreciate this opportunity to continue building a strong relationship
with Assemblymember Walters, as we work together to ensure that the voices
of the Armenian American community of Orange County are heard in the halls
of Sacramento," said ANC-OC Board Member Malazian.

Walters represents California’s 73rd Assembly District which includes the
cities of Laguna Niguel, Oceanside, San Clemente, Dana Point, San Juan
Capistrano, Laguna Hills, and Aliso Viejo. A second term incumbent, Walters
serves on the Aging and Long Term Care Committee, the Banking and Finance
Committee, and is the Vice Chair of the Appropriations Committee.

The Armenian National Committee of Orange County is the largest and most
influential grassroots advocacy organization in Orange County. Working in
coordination with a network of offices supporters and affiliated
organizations around the country, the ANC of Orange County advances the
concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.