ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF AMERICA
1711 N Street NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel: (202) 775-1918
Fax: (202) 775-5648
Email: anca@anca.org
Website:

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release
June 26, 2008
Contact: Nieri Avanessian
Tel: (202) 775- 1918
navanessian@anca.org

MICHIGAN ANC ACTIVIST DISCUSSES ARMENIAN AMERICAN CONCERNS WITH
REP. THADDEUS McCOTTER

WASHINGTON, DC – Three-term Michigan House Member Thaddeus McCotter
(R-MI-11) pledged his support for legislation concerning Turkey’s
15-year blockade of Armenia during a meeting this week with
Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) activists.

The resolution, H.R. 6079, introduced by Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA-
29), requires the State Department to submit a report outlining the
steps taken and plans made by the United States to end Turkey’s
blockade of Armenia.

During the thirty-minute meeting, Michigan resident Nieri
Avanessian, ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian, and
activist Zori Eurdekian thanked Rep. McCotter for his support of
Armenian American concerns and especially his cosponsorship of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 106). The meeting also
provided an opportunity to discuss other issues of interest,
including continued US aid to Armenia, reducing military assistance
to Azerbaijan, and self-determination for the people of Nagorno
Karabagh.

Avanessian, who lives in Rep. McCotter’s hometown of Livonia, drew
a personal tie with the Congressman on local issues. "Rep. McCotter
continues to be a vocal advocate of Armenian-American concerns. We
appreciate the strong example he sets for his Congressional
colleagues on issues of human rights," stated Avanessian.

A member of the Republican leadership and chairman of the
Republican House Policy Committee, Rep. McCotter has cosponsored a
number of resolutions of importance to the Armenian-American
community including H. Res. 3361, the South Caucasus Integration
and Open Railroads Act, and H. Res. 3127, the Darfur Peace and
Accountability Act. Over the years, Rep. McCotter has also
diligently participated in Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide
Observances.

Avanessian is in Washington, DC, participating in the ANCA Leo
Sarkisian Internship Program, an eight-week intensive program
designed to give student leaders and activists the tools necessary
to effectively advance Armenian American concerns on campus and in
their communities. It is an integral part of the ANCA Capital
Gateway program, a year-round internship / job placement service
which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to explore
careers on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Foreign Service and key
Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. To learn more about the
ANCA Capital Gateway Program, visit:
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Photo Caption: Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) with ANC Michigan
activist Nieri Avanessian.