Armenian National Committee – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
ancwr@anca.org
PRES S RELEASE
: September 13, 2007
Contact: Haig Hovsepian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
Armenian American Issues Promoted at California Republican Party Summer
Convention
Palm Springs, CA – The Armenian National Committee-Western Region (ANC-WR)
and the Foundation for Economic Development (FED) participated in the
semi-annual California Republican Party convention this past weekend in Palm
Springs. ANC-WR Community Relations Director, Haig Hovsepian was joined by
community activists William Bairamian, Marie Ghanime, and Savada
Simounian-Khygani to help raise awareness about Armenian American issues –
particularly ANC efforts to raise awareness about the Armenian Genocide and
promote Armenian American civic engagement. Johnny Nalbandian, Executive
Director of the Foundation for Economic Development, attended the convention
and discussed the growing economic relationship between California and
Armenia.
The convention was abuzz with promotional efforts by several 2008
presidential candidates. Teams representing former New York City Mayor
Rudolph Giuliani, former MA Governor Mitt Romney, US Representative Ron
Paul, and recently announced candidate, former US Senator Fred Thompson all
worked the convention crowd. Presidential candidate and US Senator, John
McCain also addressed the convention during a Saturday afternoon luncheon.
Bairamian, Ghanime, Simounian-Khygani, and Nalbandian attended the luncheon
to urge Senator McCain to heed California Armenian community concerns –
particularly with regard to the current Armenian Genocide resolution in the
US Senate and growing US-Armenia relations.
"It was great to be at the convention this weekend with our friends from the
ANC-WR and educate the Republican faithful about untapped potential of
California-Armenia trade relations," said Nalbandian. "It was particularly
heartening to hear McCain refer to Armenians as his ‘favorite merchants’
when we met. US- as well as California-Armenia relations should be a
priority for all presidential candidates."
The event also featured appearances by CA Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger as
well as several state legislators including CA Assembly Member Mimi Walters,
with whom the ANC of Orange County met earlier this month. The convention
was the first major ANC-related activity that Bairamian, Ghanime, and
Simounian-Khygani attended. The three recently started the 2007 Autumn
Session of the ANC-WR Internship-Externship Program.
"As always, the ANC-WR looks forward to this opportunity to reach out to
California Republicans," said Hovsepian. "With the California presidential
primaries moved up, candidates would do well to come out strongly in support
of issues important to the large Armenian American community in the state.
With the ANC-WR at the convention, we help ensure they have the chance to
become better acquainted with these issues."
The Armenian National Committee of America 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.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress