Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Tel: (818) 500-1918

PRESS RELEASE
May 26, 2010
Contact: Lerna Shirinian
Tel: (818) 500-1918

CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE KAREN BASS PLEDGES TO STAND IN STRONG SUPPORT OF
ARMENIAN AMERICAN ISSUES

HOLLYWOOD, CA—California 33rd Congressional District Democratic Candidate
Karen Bass (D) pledged to stand strong in support of issues of concern to
the Armenian American community during a May 22nd meeting with
representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America Hollywood
Chapter and the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region
(ANCA-WR).

Bass pledged to fight for justice for the Armenian Genocide and support
legislation that advances proper recognition and commemoration of this crime
against humanity. She expressed her interest in serving on the House
Foreign Affairs Committee if elected to office, where she would have the
opportunity to influence legislation such as the Armenian Genocide
Resolution and other issues of concern to the Armenian American community.

Bass conveyed that she is eager to learn more about how to expand US-Armenia
relations and increase aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh, among other
federal issues.

Locally, Bass stressed the importance of building a close relationship with
the Armenian American community and providing accessibility to community.

“We are impressed by Bass’ commitment to learning about and taking the lead
on issues that Armenian Americans care about,” said Rostom Sarkissian,
Chairman of the ANCA Hollywood Chapter. “She has a history of fighting for
justice – whether it was against the Apartheid regime in South Africa in the
’80s or for Armenian Genocide recognition while she served in the California
State Assembly. If elected to Congress, we believe she would continue in
the footsteps of Congresswoman Watson and be a leader of which the Armenian
Americans of the 33rd Congressional District will be proud.”

Karen Bass was elected to the California State Assembly in 2004 to represent
the 47th Assembly District. In May 2008, Bass made history when the Los
Angeles Democrat became the 67th Speaker of the California Assembly. She
became the first African American woman and the first Democratic woman to
serve as Speaker of the California Assembly, as well as the first African
American woman in the country to serve in the role of Speaker of a state
Assembly.

During her tenure in the Assembly, Speaker Bass has continuously supported
legislation related to Armenian American issues and participated in the
annual Armenian Genocide Commemorations in the State Legislature. Before
Bass began her political career, she was a community organizer who founded
and became the executive director of Community Coalition, a community-based
social justice organization in South Los Angeles.

Prior to her community organizing, Bass worked for almost a decade as a
Physician Assistant and served as a Clinical Instructor at the USC Keck
School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program.

As a member of the California State Assembly, Bass currently represents
Culver City, West Los Angeles, Westwood, Cheviot Hills, Leimert Park,
Baldwin Hills, Windsor Hills, Ladera Heights, the Crenshaw District, Little
Ethiopia and portions of Korea Town and South Los Angeles.

If elected to represent the 33rd Congressional District, Speaker Bass would
represent one of California’s most ethnically diverse Congressional
Districts. The 33rd CD is located entirely within Los Angeles County and
includes the communities of Koreatown, Hancock Park, the Wilshire corridor
and the Miracle Mile district, Little Armenia, Hollywood, Los Feliz and
Silver Lake, Baldwin Hills, Ladera Heights, Mid-Wilshire, View Park, and
Windsor Hills.

The primary elections for the 33rd Congressional district will be held on
June 8th. The winners from both parties June 8th will face each other in
the November 3rd General Election.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and
most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the
Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices,
chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated
organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the
Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

From: A. Papazian