PRESS RELEASE
Date: August 29, 2007
Armenian National Committee of Pennsylvania
914 Woodlawn Drive, Lansdale, PA 19466
Contact: Ara A. Chalian MD
Tel. 215-350-7602

ANC of PA Activists Meet With Staff of
Congressman Sestak’s office to Discuss H. Res 106

Media, PA ` On August 21, 2007, the Armenian National Committee of
Pennsylvania (ANC of PA) met with Ms. Celine McNicholas Esq., an
aide for 7th District Congressman, Joe Sestak (D) at the
Congressman’s office in Media, PA. The objective of the meeting
was to review issues of importance to Armenian-American
constituents specifically House Resolution (HR) 106, the
Congressional Armenian Genocide Resolution.

ANC activists, Noubar Megerian, Nora Ayanian, and George Semerjian,
attended the meeting with ANC PA Chairman, Dr. Ara A. Chalian. The
group explained and provided supportive documentation for
Congressman Sestak to co-sponsor HR 106. The community feels that
he has to be a strong advocate for Armenian-Americans in the 7th
district in which a majority of Armenian families in the greater
Philadelphia area reside. To date, the Congressman has not co-
sponsored HR 106. The resolution commemorates and acknowledges the
Genocide of 1.5 million Armenians which occurred during 1915-1923.

Issues discussed with Ms. McNicholas included the need for Genocide
recognition, and a peaceful resolution of the blockades that close
access to and egress from Armenia and Karabagh. The blockades
implemented by Turkey and Azerbaijan, have significant negative
impacts on regional stability and the welfare of the populations of
the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabagh. "We
emphasized the need for clarity on the Genocide and hope that
Congressman Sestak will exhibit leadership and conviction to
properly honor and represent Armenian-Americans," noted Chalian.
"We would like to thank Ms. Nicholas for arranging to meet with the
ANC of PA to promote a dialogue between Congressman Sestak’s office
and his constituents."

The ANC of PA also emphasized that recognition of the Armenian
Genocide and improved relations between Armenia, Turkey, and
Azerbaijan cannot occur without strong U.S. support and policy
aimed at recognizing the human rights of the Armenian people.
House Resolution 106 is such a bill, by commemorating the Armenian
Genocide and demanding that the President ensure foreign policy of
the United States reflects appropriate understanding of the
Genocide.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) 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.