PUBLIC FORUM FOR ARMENIAN COMMUNITY HELD IN NEW JERSEY
De Facto
Nov 3, 2008
YEREVAN, 31.10.08. DE FACTO. On Friday, October 24, 2008, the Armenian
National Committee of New Jersey (ANC of NJ) hosted a free public
forum for the Armenian community on Election 2008 at the Sheraton
Meadowlands in East Rutherford, N.J. Guest speakers included three of
New Jersey’s representatives in the House: Scott Garrett (R-NJ-5),
Steve Rothman (D-NJ-9), and Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6). Joe Ariyan, an
Armenian-American who had run a competitive campaign last November
for the 39th district State Senate seat in New Jersey, also addressed
those in attendance. The keynote speaker for the evening was Aram
S. Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee
of America (ANCA), in Washington, DC.
"The ANC of NJ would like to thank all those in attendance, especially
the Congressmen. Given it’s less than ten days before the election,
we were grateful that they had been able to make room in their busy
schedule and speak to the Armenian American community in New Jersey,"
commented James Sahagian, ANC of NJ Co-Chair. "We are also grateful
for a letter shared to us by Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ-12) who was unable
to make it."
Rep. Scott Garrett shared some of his personal experiences in traveling
to Armenia and in meeting genocide survivor Mrs. Alice Shnorhokian
of his district on April 23, 2008.He reaffirmed his support for
the U.S. Congress to once again officially recognize the Armenian
Genocide. Moreover, Rep.
Garrett expressed his support for a peaceful, negotiated settlement
to the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict, and a stronger relationship between
the United States and Armenia.
In his turn, rep. Steve Rothman, a long-time friend of the
Armenian community, said that he grew-up with Armenians as
friends and neighbors, and felt as "a part of the family" when
amongst Armenians. As a part of the important House Committee on
Appropriations, Rep. Rothman has been instrumental in delivering
over $800 million in aid directed to Armenia throughout his tenure
on this committee. In addition to his continued support for the
Republic of Armenia, Rep. Rothman expressed his desire to see the
Armenian Genocide properly recognized by the U.S. Congress and to
see a settlement to the Nagorno-Karabagh conflict. Finally, he spent
some time talking about Senator Barack Obama, and why he felt that the
Armenian community should support him for president. As the Northeast
Regional Chair of the Obama campaign, Rep. Rothman stated that Obama
had supported key issues of interest to the Armenian American community
as a State Senator in Illinois and as a member of the U.S. Senate, and
will continue to be a good friend to the Armenian American community
as president.
Rep. Frank Pallone, co-chair on the Congressional Caucus on Armenian
Issues, and one of the strongest advocates for Armenian American
interests in the Congress, thanked the ANC of NJ for putting together
a forum to discuss the upcoming election. He noted the presence of Joe
Ariyan at the event and encouraged more Armenians to participate in
the political process. Pallone discussed the need for the U.S. and
Armenia to build closer ties, and expressed optimism that this is
more likely to occur with an Obama Administration.
Joe Ariyan, a Bergen County resident and a candidate last year for
State Senate in the 39th District of New Jersey, gave a personal
testimony of his experience growing up as an American-Armenian in
N.J. He applauded the ANC of NJ for its advocacy of Armenian issues
and was thankful for its assistance in his campaign a year ago. When
asked if he would seek office again in the future, Joe indicated that
he and his family had been considering his options, and he had not
ruled out a future campaign.
Finally, Aram Hamparian, who was introduced by Armenian Youth
Federation of New Jersey President Kevork Mesrobian, discussed the
initiatives of the ANCA and its activities over the past year. He
also spoke of the 2008 presidential elections and gave several
reasons why the ANCA has endorsed Barack Obama for president,
both early in the Democratic primaries and now in the general
election. After a short video presentation on the work of the ANCA,
Hamparian went on to analyze the potential consequences of the
Presidential elections, i.e. how different results might impact our
issues in Washington. Hamparian took several engaging questions from
the audience.
He cited progress in the ANCA’s grassroots initiatives around the
country, and expressed optimism for improved relations with the next
administration.
For more information on the 2008 ANCA candidate endorsements, please
visit