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ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:

Contact: Danielle Saroyan

Telephone: (202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY BOARD
MEMBER ANNIE TOTAH WORKS DILIGENTLY TO PROMOTE U.S.-ARMENIA RELATIONS, LEADING
UP TO NATIONAL ADVOCACY CONFERENCE IN SEPTEMBER

WASHINGTON,
D.C. – Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly) Board Member Mrs. Annie
Simonian Totah continues to work diligently to advance United States-Armenia
relations, reaching out to Members of Congress. Working with the Armenian
Assembly Board of Trustees and staff, Totah has held numerous meetings with
elected officials, where she raises issues of key concern to the Armenian
American community. All of her important hard work is leading up to the
Assembly’s National Advocacy Conference, which will take place at our nation’s
capital on September 24-25, 2018.

Last month, Totah discussed strengthening and
expanding U.S.-Armenia relations and reaffirming the Armenian Genocide with
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senate Minority Leader
Charles "Chuck" Schumer (D-NY).

When she spoke with Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) in
early April, the Congressman reiterated his commitment to and support of U.S.
reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Last year, he joined the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, and since then he has co-sponsored H.Res.220, and
co-signed the letter to President Donald Trump urging him to squarely
acknowledge the Armenian Genocide.

"It is incumbent upon every Armenian – young
and old alike – to advocate to their elected officials on a regular basis,
whether on the Hill or whether in Congressional district offices. If we
Armenians do not lobby our Representatives, how do we expect them to understand
our issues and help us with a myriad of challenges relating to our Homeland as
well as to the Armenian Genocide reaffirmation,” stated Assembly Board Member
Totah. “We, at the Armenian Assembly, also continue our efforts and meetings
with Congress by promoting America's proud chapter in helping the survivors of
the Armenian Genocide. We also share with Congress the Armenian National
Institute's new 24-panel digital exhibit, displaying the role of the YMCA and
American relief work during the first republic of Armenia (1918-1920),"
she added. Totah also serves on the Board of the Armenian National Institute
(ANI).

At this year’s Armenian Genocide Commemoration on
Capitol Hill, hosted by the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, Totah
spoke with various Representatives and Senators, including Senator Chris Van
Hollen (D-MD), Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Armenian Caucus Co-Chair
Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Armenia Caucus Co-Vice Chair Congressman
Adam Schiff (D-CA), Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA), and many others.

"Annie's year-round advocacy is immeasurable,
and the Assembly is fortunate to have the benefit of her time and talent for
over 40 years. She continuously encourages others to contact their
Representatives and educate them on the importance of strengthening
U.S.-Armenia and U.S.-Artsakh relations," Assembly Executive Director
Bryan Ardouny stated. "On September 25th, the Armenian Assembly will be
honoring her at our evening Gala following a full day of advocacy, which will
include featured guests and Members of Congress. We hope everyone can attend
for what promises to be an outstanding event," he added.

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
non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

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2018-023

Photo Caption 1: Armenian
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Assembly Board Member and Armenian
Honorary Consul Oscar Tatosian, Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, Armenian
Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep.
David Trott (R-MI), St. Mary Armenian Apostolic Church Reverend Father Hovsep
Karapetyan, Armenian Ambassador to the U.S. Grigor Hovhannissian, and Diocesan
Legate of the Armenian Church of America Archbishop Vicken Aykazian at the
103rd Armenian Genocide Commemoration on Capitol Hill

Photo Caption 2: Senate
Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Assembly Board Member Annie Totah

Photo Caption 3: Senate
Minority Leader Charles “Chuck” Schumer (D-NY) and Assembly Board Member Annie
Totah

Photo Caption 4: Senator
Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, and Rep. Brad
Sherman (D-CA)

Photo Caption 5: Assembly
Board Member Annie Totah and Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA)

Photo Caption 6: Assembly
Board Member and Armenian Honorary Consul Oscar Tatosian, Clara Andonian,
Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Assembly Board Member Annie Totah, National
Advocacy Conference Chair Margie Satian, and Assembly Grassroots and
Development Associate Mariam Khaloyan

Photo Caption 7: Assembly
Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Rear Admiral Dr. Susan Blumenthal, Senator Ed
Markey (D-MA), and Assembly Board Member Annie Totah

Photo Caption 8: Senator
Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Assembly Board Member Annie Totah

Photo Caption 9: Assembly
Board Member Annie Totah with Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Marcelle
Pomerleau Leahy

Photo Caption 10: Assembly
Board Member Annie Totah with House Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce and U.S. Bureau
of Educational and Cultural Affairs Assistant Secretary of State Marie Royce

Available online: http://bit.ly/2xrh8bS