Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: info@aaainc.org
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PRESS RELEASE
December 17, 2008
Contact: Michael A Zachariades
Email: mzachariades@aaainc.org
Phone: (202) 393-3434
CONGRESSMAN KIRK NAMED CO-CHAIR OF THE ARMENIAN CAUCUS
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) echoed
Representatives Frank Pallone’s (D-NJ) and Joe Knollenberg’s (R-MI)
welcome of the selection of Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL) as the incoming
Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. Congressman
Kirk succeeds Co-Chair Joe Knollenberg (R-MI), who will be retiring at
the end of the 110th Congress.
"After 20 years of working with the Armenian-American community to
advance U.S.-Armenia issues, I am honored and excited to serve alongside
Congressman Pallone as co-chair of the Caucus on Armenia Issues," Kirk
said. "The Caucus on Armenian Issues is well-known for its work to
strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship and recognize the Armenian
Genocide. I look forward to working with Congressman Pallone and all
members of the Caucus to advance the U.S.-Armenia relationship in the
111th Congress."
First elected to the House of Representatives in 2000, Congressman Kirk
succeeded John Porter (R-IL), who served as the first Republican
Co-Chair of the Caucus. Rep. Kirk represents the 10th district of
Illinois, which is located north of Chicago, along Lake Michigan and is
home to St. George Armenian Apostolic Church. Congressman Kirk serves on
the Appropriations Committee and sits on the State, Foreign Operations,
and Related Programs Subcommittee, responsible for determining crucial
funding to Armenia, and Financial Services.
During his tenure in Congress, Rep. Kirk has co-sponsored numerous
Armenian Genocide resolutions and made several statements in support of
reaffirmation. In addition, he has supported resolutions calling for
Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Armenia, and was a cosponsor of
H.Res. 3361, which prevented tax-payer funding of a rail bypass of
Armenia.
Jim Keledjian, ARAMAC Illinois State Chair said, "We are extremely happy
to have Rep. Kirk Co-Chair the Armenian Caucus. He has been a strong
advocate of Armenian interests throughout his tenure in the House of
Representatives and even prior as staff of former Caucus Co-chair, Rep.
Porter."
"The Assembly congratulates Congressman Kirk on this new role and
extends its sincere appreciation to outgoing Caucus Co-Chair
Knollenberg," said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "Nearly 90
percent of the Caucus is returning in the 111th Congress and we look
forward to working with Representative Kirk and the entire Caucus. The
Assembly’s 2009 Advocacy Conference and Banquet in Washington, DC next
March will help ensure continued success in the 111th Congress."
An Illinois native, Representative Kirk attended the Universidad
Nacional Autonoma de Mexico before graduating cum laude in History from
Cornell. He holds a Masters Degree from the London School of Economics
and a Juris Doctor from Georgetown.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
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