PRESS RELEASE
Armenian Assembly of America
February 2, 2010
Contact: Press Department
E-mail: info@aaainc.org
Phone: (202) 393-3434

CONGRESSIONAL OUTREACH INTENSIFIES

Assembly Meets with California Delegation Members, Including Reps.
Baca, Napolitano,
Roybal-Allard, Sanchez and Waters

Pasadena, CA – With the 95th anniversary year of the Armenian Genocide
well underway, the Assembly is actively pressing ahead on a range of
issues important to the Armenian-American community, including passage
of the Armenian Genocide resolution pending in the House Foreign
Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

To garner increased support, Assembly Western Region Director Yeghig
Keshishian conducted a series of congressional meetings last month
with members from the California delegation, including the offices of
Representatives Joe Baca, Grace Napolitano, Lucille Roybal-Allard,
Linda Sanchez, and Maxine Waters. Keshishian discussed the importance
of U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide as reflected in H.Res.
252, and also focused on aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh, as well
as Turkey’s backtracking of its public commitment to normalize
relations with Armenia without preconditions.

"With a strong and vibrant community in California, coupled with key
leadership positions held by Members of the California delegation, we
are uniquely positioned to advance our goals," stated Keshishian.
"Each meeting affords an opportunity to reiterate the importance of
passage of H.Res. 252 and the need to combat denial of the Armenian
Genocide. It also serves as an opportunity to discuss the current
dynamics in the South Caucasus, including Armenia’s bold steps to
normalize relations with Turkey without preconditions,’ added
Keshishian.

In addition to the Assembly’s Congressional outreach, the Assembly
also reached out to community supporters and friends last month at a
200 person-plus event at the home of Assembly hosts, Margaret and
David Mgrublian. With Assembly Board Members Lisa Kalustian, Peter
Kezirian, and Joyce Stein on hand along side Executive Director Bryan
Ardouny and Keshishian, the evening was a resounding success, and also
attended by numerous elected officials, including Congresswoman Judy
Chu (D-CA), who has since cosponsored H.Res. 252 and also joined the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues.

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.

###

NR# 2010-008