Armenian National Committee – Utah
Orem, UT 84058
PRESS RELEASE
: August 21, 2007
Contact: Sarkis Bekearian
Email: [email protected]
Utah ANC Discusses H. Res. 106 with Congressman Cannon
Provo, UT – Members of the Armenian National Committee of Utah (Utah ANC)
and the Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) recently
visited the office of Congressman Chris Cannon in Provo, Utah to discuss
issues of concern to the local Armenian American community. Congressman
Chris Cannon represents the 3rd Congressional District of Utah which covers
areas of central and west central Utah. This area includes nearly all of
Utah County and the west side of Salt Lake County. This district is widely
considered the strongest Republican district in the entire United States.
"Meeting Congressman Cannon provided us, as members of the local community,
with an opportunity to meet our elected Member of Congress and discuss
important issues that we are concerned about in our community," remarked
Utah ANC Chairman Sarkis Bekearian. "Engaging our Members of Congress is a
main priority for the local Utah ANC, especially as we raise awareness of
ending the cycle of genocide," he added.
The meeting was attended by Congressman Cannon, District Director Corey
Norman, Bekearian and his father and local community advocate Ara Bekearian
and ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. During the meeting, the
Bekearians discussed the long history of Armenian Americans and their
respective organizations in Utah and how they have contributed to the local
community. During the meeting, Bekearian noted that he and the Congressman
enjoy a shared university experience as graduates of Brigham Young
University. Bekearian also noted the letter writing initiative begun by the
Utah ANC and the hand written requests for the Congressman to sign on to H.
Res. 106 as a cosponsor. H. Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide Resolution which
is currently pending in the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign
Affairs, currently enjoys the strong bipartisan support of 227 Members of
Congress from all across the United States. Kzirian described the work and
history of the ANC-WR in supporting local efforts and raising awareness of
issues of concern to Armenian Americans with an emphasis on H. Res. 106.
Congressman Cannon mentioned that his wife Claudia has studied the Armenian
culture and he assured the group that he was keenly aware of the Armenian
Genocide and noted his past support for similar legislation in previous
Congresses.
"It is always a pleasure to observe the power of grassroots advocacy,"
stated Kzirian. "The Utah ANC epitomizes the type of work that communities
everywhere can emulate – their work is truly an example of strong advocacy
and intelligent grassroots coordination," he added.
Congressman Chris Cannon was first elected to Congress on November 5, 1996.
Born in Salt Lake City, Utah on October 20, 1950, Cannon received his
Bachelor of Science and Law Degrees from Brigham Young University and worked
as an attorney in Provo, Utah for four years. In 1983, the Congressman was
appointed by President Ronald Reagan as the lawyer in charge of coal mining
reclamation, enforcement and writing the current regulatory scheme. During
his tenure, Cannon supervised approximately 100 attorneys working on surface
coal mining issues.
In this position, he helped move oversight of coal mine reclamation from the
federal government to the states. In 1986, Cannon worked as a consultant to
the Assistant Secretary for Productivity, Technology and Innovation at the
Department of Commerce. In 1987, Cannon with his brother, Joe, helped
purchase and reopen Geneva Steel in Orem, Utah, restoring 2,500 steel worker
jobs. In 1990, Cannon purchased Geneva’s new venture division, now called
Cannon Industries, Inc.
In 1992, Cannon served as the Utah Finance Chairman and on the National
Finance Committee for President George Bush’s reelection. From 1991-92, he
served as Finance Chairman for the Utah Republican Party. Cannon has served
as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in 1992 and 1996. In the
1996 election, Cannon was one of the five presidential electors.
Congressman Cannon was named Chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on
Commercial and Administrative Law at the beginning of the 108th Congress in
January of 2003. As chairman, Congressman Cannon oversaw legislation
involving bankruptcy reform, privacy, interstate compacts and tort reform.
He currently serves as the Ranking Member on the subcommittee.
Additionally, Congressman Cannon is a member of the House Oversight and
Government Reform Committee. Congressman Cannon is also a member of the
House Natural Resources Committee, serving on the National Parks, Forests,
and Public Lands Subcommittee.
In January of 2003, Congressman Cannon was elected chairman of the
influential Western Caucus, an organization of over 50 Congressmen leading
the debate for rational, balanced and sound resource management.
Cannon and his wife have served as missionaries in Spain, Guatemala and El
Salvador. They have eight children and reside in Mapleton, Utah.