MARK KIRK ELECTED CO-CHAIR OF THE CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS ON ARMENIAN ISSUES
PanARMENIAN.Net
18.12.2008 13:48 GMT+04:00
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, the Assembly told PanARMENIAN.Net.
"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.