Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
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PRESS RELEASE
August 31, 2007
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
ASSISTANT TO SPEAKER APPLAUDS COMMUNITY’S ACTIVISM
Stresses Importance of Continued Advocacy for H. Res. 106 During
Assembly Event
Hollywood, CA – Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA), Assistant to House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), urged Armenian-Americans to continue
rallying congressional support for the Armenian Genocide Resolution
(H. Res. 106), saying that Congress has "no excuse" but to pass this
crucial human rights legislation.
During an Assembly event held in his honor, Becerra encouraged the
Armenian community to reach out to their elected officials and urge
them to cosponsors H. Res. 106. The legislation, which reaffirms the
U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide and calls upon the President to
properly characterize the crimes, is supported by a majority of House
Member and some 50 diverse organizations and human rights groups from
across the U.S.
"You have done your work," said Becerra, a cosponsor of the
resolution. "To now talk about close to 230 Members supporting this
legislation is a great accomplishment."
"There is a chapter in world history that can not yet be closed
because we haven’t acknowledged that chapter," he added. "I urge you
to continue your work."
Becerra, who was first elected to Congress in 1992, serves on the
powerful House Ways and Means Committee and the House Budget
Committee. As Assistant to the Speaker, Becerra wields a strong voice
in House Leadership, helping to set priorities and drive the
legislative decision-making process. An active member of the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Becerra has cosponsored
previous Armenian Genocide resolutions and has repeatedly called on
the President to properly recognize the events of 1915 as genocide.
He represents California’s 31st District which includes Hollywood –
home to a large concentration of Armenians and numerous Armenian
institutions.
The Assembly event was held at St. John Garabed Armenian Church in
Hollywood on August 25th and hosted by Drs. Petros and Karine Taglyan.
Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the
Armenian Church, commended the Congressman for his longstanding
support of the Armenian community, saying "you’re visit here today
inspires us to work even harder to reach our collective goals."
Assembly Fellow Trustee Kurken Alyanakian, who introduced Becerra,
said: "In all of his years in office, he’s been a great friend to the
Armenian community and 100 percent committed to our cause."
"It was an honor for our family to host this event for Congressman
Becerra," said Petros and Karine Taglyan. "The Congressman has a
strong record on Armenian issues and we thank him for his continued
support."
Assembly Board of Trustees Member and Western Office Chairman Richard
Mushegain served as Master of Ceremonies for the event, which also
included remarks by Armenian Vice Consul Sahak Sargsyan. Assembly
2007 Gala Committee Co-Chair Albert Cabraloff also provided an update
on the upcoming National Gala, while Western Office Director Lena
Kaimian provided a legislative update.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public
understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt membership organization.
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NR#2007-099
Photograph available on the Assembly Web site at the following links:
ges/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_NR_099_1.jpg
Caption: Congressman Xavier Becerra (D-CA) flanked by Drs. Petros and
Karine Taglyan and their children. The Assembly presented Becerra
with a framed drawing of a Khachkar (cross-stone).
ainc/images/PRESS_RELEASES_2007/PR_NR_099_2_01.jpg
Caption: L to R: Assembly Gala Committee Co-Chair Albert Cabraloff,
Assembly Fellow Trustee Kurken Alyanakian, Congressman Xavier Becerra
(D-CA), Assembly Board of Trustees Member and Western Office Chairman
Richard Mushegain, Armenian Vice Consul Sahak Sargsyan and Assembly
Western Office Director Lena Kaimian.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
