ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:

Contact: Danielle Saroyan

Telephone: (202) 393-3434

Web: www.aaainc.org

NEW MEMBERS JOIN ARMENIAN
CAUCUS AS ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY PROMOTES STRONGER UNITED STATES-ARMENIA RELATIONS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – New Members joined the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and
more members co-sponsored the bipartisan Armenian Genocide resolution as a
result of successful meetings led by the Armenian Assembly of America.

The Armenian Assembly, along with its state chairs and grassroots
activists, met with a host of congressional offices to discuss strengthening
U.S.-Armenia relations, co-sponsoring House Resolution 296, and joining the
Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues. As a result of these meetings,
Representatives Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Kevin Hern
(R-OK), Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), Katie Porter (D-CA), and Abigail Spanberger
(D-VA) joined the Armenian Caucus, bringing it to 116 Members, and over 100
Members supporting H.Res.296.

"For years, the Armenian community's vibrant culture has been
an integral presence in Los Angeles and across the country. I'm honored to be a
member of the Armenian Caucus and look forward to joining my colleagues in
working on issues that matter to Armenian-Americans," Rep. Barragan told
the Armenian Assembly.

"As a new member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, I look
forward to working with this bipartisan group of lawmakers as we build stronger
economic, cultural, and diplomatic ties with the people of Armenia," Rep. Spanberger
said to the Armenian Assembly. "I'm also proud to represent many Armenian
Americans across Virginia's 7th district."

Throughout April and May, the Assembly met with numerous offices
on Capitol Hill as well as in their districts, including Reps. Andy Biggs
(R-AZ), Judy Chu (D-CA), Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), John Curtis (R-UT), Jeff
Fortenberry (R-NE), Lois Frankel (D-FL), Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ), Ann Kuster
(D-NH), Debbie Lesko (R-AZ), Mike Levin (D-CA), Grace Meng (D-NY), Seth Moulton
(D-MA), Richard Neal (D-MA), Joe Neguse (D-CO), Tom O'Halleran (D-AZ), Frank
Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Katie Porter (D-CA), Jamie Raskin
(D-MD), Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Ross Spano (R-FL),
Norma Torres (D-CA), and Rob Wittman (R-VA), among others.

Assembly’s State Chairs Herman and his wife Laura Purutyan from Massachusetts, Armineh Ghazarian from Maryland, Paul Sookiasian from
Pennsylvania, Meganoosh Avakian from Virginia, along with members and
supporters such as Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participant
Armen Kaprelian from Arizona and Drs. Alice and Ara Apkarian from Orange
County, California were instrumental in encouraging U.S. Representatives to
join the Armenian Caucus and co-sponsor the Armenian Genocide resolution.

Rep. Susie Lee, who also joined the Armenian Caucus earlier this
year, stated: "Nevada's Third District is unique thanks to our diversity
and strong ties among different communities that call Southern Nevada home. I'm
proud to join the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues so that we can
continue advocating for the unique issues facing Armenia and continue to
support Nevada's Third District Armenian people."

“Thanks to the efforts of our state chairs and activists, we are
gaining momentum with more Representatives joining the Armenian Caucus and
co-sponsoring the bipartisan Armenian Genocide resolution,” said Mariam
Khaloyan, Director of Congressional Relations at the Armenian Assembly. “To
support the Armenian Assembly's efforts, we encourage everyone to reach out to
their elected officials as well as plan to attend the Armenian Assembly's National
Advocacy Conference this year, set for September 16-17,” Khaloyan 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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NR# 2019-019

Photo Caption 1:
Armenian Assembly Co-Chair Anthony Barsamian, Congresswoman Grace Meng,
Armenian Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan, Armenian
Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, and Armenian Assembly Massachusetts
State Chair Herman and his wife Laura Purutyan

Photo Caption 2:
Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participant Armen Kaprelian,
Armenian Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan, Armenian
Assembly Maryland State Chair Armineh Ghazarian, Congresswoman Nanette
Barragan, Armenian Assembly Communications Director Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian,
Armenian Assembly Pennsylvania State Chair Paul Sookiasian, and Armenian
Assembly Virginia State Chair Meganoosh Avakian

Photo Caption 3:
Armenian Assembly delegation speaking with Congressman David Schweikert

Photo Caption 4:
Armenian Assembly delegation speaking with Congressman Jeff Fortenberry

Photo Caption 4:
Armenian Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Congresswoman Ann Kuster,
and Armenian Assembly Massachusetts State Chair Herman Purutyan

Photo Caption 5:
Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participant Armen Kaprelian,
Armenian Assembly Communications Director Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian,
Congressman Mike Levin, and Armenian Assembly Pennsylvania State Chair Paul
Sookiasian

Photo Caption 6: Armenian
Assembly Maryland State Chair Armineh Ghazarian, Armenian Assembly
Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan, Armenian Assembly
Communications Director Danielle Saroyan Ashbahian, Congressman Dutch
Ruppersberger, Armenian Assembly Virginia State Chair Meganoosh Avakian,
Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program participant Armen Kaprelian, and
Armenian Assembly Pennsylvania State Chair Paul Sookiasian

Available online: https://armenian-assembly.org/2019/06/11/new-members-join-armenian-caucus-as-armenian-assembly-promotes-stronger-u-s-armenia-relations/