PRESS RELEASE
Date: September 5, 2008
Armenian National Committee of South Florida
931 NE 48th Street, Oakland Park, FL 33334
Contact: Michael Toumayan
Tel: (561) 716-6155
SOUTH FLORIDA CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES REACH OUT TO
ARMENIAN AMERICANS
BOCA RATON, FL ` Grassroots supporters of the Armenian National
Committee of South Florida (ANC of S. FL) came out in large numbers
on August 22, 2008 to hear from U.S. Representative Ron Klein (D-
FL-22) at a town hall event held in Boca Raton, Florida. The town
hall meeting, hosted by the ANC of South Florida, was held at the
Boca Raton Shrine Club and attracted over 100 individuals.
Marking the opening of the town hall meeting, the newly formed
scouts of Homenetmen of South Florida, recited the Pledge of
Allegiance. In his opening remarks to the attendees, Daniel
Danielian, vice-chairman of the ANC of South Florida, introduced
Rep. Ron Klein.
Congressman Klein spoke at length about his involvement in the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs, where he voted in favor of H.
Res. 106, the Armenian Genocide resolution last October. Despite
strong opposition from the Bush Administration, military officers,
and by his friend, Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL-19), Klein said, "it
was the right thing to do."
Reflecting the anxiety of the American public on the shaky economy,
discussions also ensured regarding grant opportunities, development
programs and public/private partnerships available to small
businesses in South Florida, as well as opportunities available to
veterans through the Office of Veterans Business Development and
other programs.
Also present among Armenian Americans was congressional candidate
for 19th district, Dr. Benjamin Graber. Graber, a former mayor of
Ft. Lauderdale, has a strong record on human rights issues,
including a resolution commemorating the Armenian Genocide by the
City of Fort Lauderdale. Earlier this year, community activists
from the area gathered to protest Wexler’s genocide denial and
heard from Graber at a rally in Ft. Lauderdale.
The 19th district, running from West Palm Beach to Ft. Lauderdale,
boasts one of the largest concentrations of Armenians in the state
of Florida. Ben Graber’s opposition to incumbent Wexler’s policies
on the Armenian Genocide was well publicized by the local press and
welcomed by the Armenian American community prior to his meeting
with community members and leaders.
Following the event, Albert Mazmanian, Chairman of the ANC of South
Florida commented: "We were happy to see community members come out
to hear from Congressman Klein as well as Congressional candidate
Benjamin Graber. We look forward to working with both of them to
build a strong relationship in the area."
The Armenian National Committee of South Florida is part of the
largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots public
affairs organization in the State of Florida. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters
throughout the Eastern United States and affiliated organizations
around the country, this local ANC chapter promotes awareness of
issues of concern to the Armenian American community.
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Photo Caption 1: Congressman Klein (D-FL-22) with ANC of S. Florida
activist Mike Toumayan
Photo Caption #2: Congressional Candidate for Florida’s 19th
District, Benjamin Graber