ANC Oregon brings community together for issues update
armradio.am
26.07.2008 11:09
The ANC of Oregon held an issues briefing to update the community on
the latest developments on Armenian American issues. From H.Res.106 and
the Senate hearings for the newly nominated US Ambassador to Armenia to
the upcoming US Presidential Elections and close OR congressional
races, the community learned more about how their local activism played
and continues to have a vital, grassroots impact on the local and
national scene.
"Having regular briefings like this help bring the community together
and is a great chance for local activists to learn more about the
background of our most visible issues, but also to learn about how the
ANC is working to serve the community in other ways," said Rafael
Saakyan, Chairman of the ANC of Oregon.
Local activist Varoujan Gazarian appreciated learning more about the
background and history of the issues. "For those members of the
community who have a basic knowledge of the issues this was a great
opportunity to learn and understand better the role that the community
can play in the larger political landscape," said Gazarian.
ANC-Western Region Community Relations Director Haig Hovsepian
discussed the issues and answered questions on the topics covered as
well as programs the ANC has for the community, including the
ANC-Western Region Internship-Externship Program and opportunities for
students in Washington, DC. Thanks to the efforts of Saakyan, the
trilingual (English, Armenian, and Russian) briefing provided an
opportunity for everyone in attendance to take part in the discussion.
"Hearing about the recent scandal at the Institute of Turkish Studies
and how criticism of the Turkish government’s attempts to kill academic
freedom even in the United States really demonstrated to everyone here
how these issues really hit close to home," noted Saakyan.
In the past year the ANC OR has led activists in meetings with their
elected representatives in Oregon and traveled to DC to take their
concerns to the halls of Congress.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
