ANC-RI members met with Congressman Seth Magaziner to discuss the crisis in Artsakh. Pictured from l. to r.: ANC-RI chair Steve Elmasian, Steve Mesrobian, Congressman Magaziner, Ani Haroian, Berge Zobian and Harout Tashian
WARWICK, R.I.—Six members of the Armenian National Committee of Rhode Island (ANC-RI) met with U.S. Congressman Seth Magaziner (D-RI-2) in his Warwick office on the morning of August 24.
The freshman representative is a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and has proven during his short term in office to be a strong ally and friend to his Armenian constituents in Rhode Island.
ANC-RI chair Steve Elmasian began the meeting by thanking Rep. Magaziner for his readiness to meet and discuss the worsening crisis in Artsakh.
ANC-RI member Steve Mesrobian thanked Rep. Magaziner for being a co-sponsor on all three current ANCA-backed House resolutions:
- H.Res.108 – Condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and ongoing human rights violations.
- H.Res.320 – Recognizing the Republic of Artsakh’s independence and condemning Azerbaijan’s continued aggression against Armenia and Artsakh.
- H.R.2803 – Providing funding for Armenian Genocide education.
Mesrobian reviewed the rapidly deteriorating situation in Artsakh with the congressman and his district director, Christa Thompson, and asked for the congressman’s help to reach out to both U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and USAID chair Samantha Power to fast track emergency humanitarian aid to the besieged Armenian population of Artsakh.
Rep. Magaziner was very aware of the situation and eager to help, repeatedly asking what more he can do to help the citizens of Artsakh.
Congressman Magaziner agreed to speak to the chairs of the Armenian Caucus to request a letter to Blinken and Power as well as to ask the House of Representative leadership for an update on the three open ANCA-backed resolutions.