MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO SERVE AS HONORARY CHAIRS OF ANC-WR 2008 BANQUET
armradio.am
23.07.2008 16:38
The Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) reports that
a number of prominent Legislators and Armenian American Officials will
be serving as Honorary Chairs for the ANC-WR 24th Annual Banquet. The
ANC-WR’s Annual Banquet will be held on October 12, 2008, at the
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley.
Members of Congress serving as Honorary Chairs for the ANC-WR Annual
Banquet include Representatives Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, Ed
Royce and Jackie Speier. Honorary Chairs also include State Senator
Jack Scott, Assemblymembers Anthony Portantino and Paul Krekorian and
Tzivia Schwartz-Getzug and Janice Kamenir-Reznik of Jewish World Watch.
Furthermore, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic
Church of America Moushegh Mardirossian will serve as an Honorary
Chair.
"With great pride, I share in the efforts of the 2008 ANC-WR Annual
Banquet to highlight the great strides and accomplishments of the
Western Region," said Archbishop Mardirossian. "The ANC-WR offers
a gateway to activism through a wide variety of public programs and
grassroots efforts," he added.
Congressman Adam Schiff has provided strong leadership on issues
of concern to Armenian Americans. Representative Schiff introduced
H. Res. 106 [the Armenian Genocide Resolution] on January 30, 2007. The
bill was passed with a vote of 27-21 in the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs. It now awaits a full House vote.
Congressman George Radanovich played a key role in 2000 when an
Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.R. 398, nearly reached a floor vote
but was pulled off at the last minute due to pressure from the Clinton
Administration.
Congressman Radanovich is the co-author with Congressman Adam Schiff
of H.
Res. 106 and has remained steadfast in his support of Armenian
American issues.
Congressman Ed Royce has been a long time advocate for human rights
and member of the Armenian Caucus. Rep. Royce has been a leading
cosponsor of Armenian Genocide legislation throughout his years in
Congress. In addition to cosponsoring the Genocide bill, Congressman
Royce regularly participates in Armenian community events within
his district. In 2005, the Orange County ANC awarded Rep. Royce the
prestigious "Freedom Award."
Armenian American Jackie Kanchelian Speier was elected to Congress
on April 8, 2008. Speier has been active on Armenian American issues
throughout her years in the California state legislature. During
her tenure in Sacramento, she authored 16 bills related to Armenian
issues. Every year thereafter, she co-sponsored the resolution
commemorating the Armenian Genocide, including the 2005 bill that
made the commemoration permanent law.
"The ANC-WR is honored that Members of Congress will be serving as
Honorary Chairs for our banquet," commented ANC-WR Board Member Aida
Dimejian. "We look forward to the success of this year’s banquet due
in large part to the support from our friends in the U.S. House of
Representatives," she added.
Individuals interested in attending the ANC-Western Region banquet
are encouraged to contact ANC-WR Program Coordinator Teresa Petrosyan
at (818) 500-1918. The banquet is slated to begin at 3:30 pm with a
cocktail hour and the formal program beginning at 5:30 pm. Organizers
of this event expect that it will be sold out well before September
15th.
The Armenian National Committee – 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 ANC-WR
advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.