CONGRESSMAN MARK KIRK TO BE INCOMING CO-CHAIR OF CONGRESSIONAL CAUCUS ON ARMENIAN ISSUES

De Facto
Dec 18, 2008

YEREVAN, 18.12.08. DE FACTO. Congressman Mark Kirk (R-IL) has been
elected 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 Armenian Assembly
of America (Assembly) reports.

"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."

To note, 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