PRESS RELEASE
Date: June 28, 2007
Armenian National Committee of Charlotte
Contact: Jack Hagopian
Tel: 704-907-1411
ARMENIAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE OF CHARLOTTE
WELCOMES MEL WATT’S (D-12) COSPONSORSHIP OF THE
ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUITION
Watt joins 217 of his fellow colleagues in support of passage of H. Res 106
*Charlotte**, NC** -* Members from the Armenian National Committee of
Charlotte welcomed today Congressman Mel Watt’s cosponsorship of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 106). Congressman Watt represents the
12th Congressional District of North Carolina, and is currently serving his
8th term.
"The Armenian community here in Charlotte is very grateful for Congressman
Watt’s recent cosponsorship of H. Res. 106. We had an opportunity to meet
with staff from the Congressman’s office to discuss the legislation, and
applaud him for signing on to the legislation," commented ANC of Charlotte
Chairman Jack Hagopian. "The Armenian community in Charlotte is growing
rapidly, and we will continue to build relationships with our members of
Congress," he added.
Hagopian, along with other Armenian activists including Dr. Sylvie
Bastajian, a constituent in Watt’s district, have met with various
Congressional districts that represent the Armenian American community.
Bastajian also hosted an educational seminar to educate human rights
activists about genocide recognition legislation, and how they can get
involved. "I felt that we needed to be doing more. Several of my friends
who are not Armenian realize that this is not an Armenian issue, but it is a
human rights issue," stated Dr. Bastajian.
Elected into Congress in 1992, Congressman Watt is active in the
Congressional Black Caucus, where he served as Chair during the 109th
Congress. He has taken an active role in working to end the genocide in
Darfur, and currently serves on the House Judiciary and Financial Services
Committee.
The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most
influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in
coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout
the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad
range of issues.
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Photo Caption
#1 Congressman Mel Watt
#2 ANCA ER Director Karine Birazian, along with NC Activists Dr. Sylvie
Bastajian, Pierre Arbajian, Jack Hagopian, Dr. David Boyajian and Community
Liaison, Torre Jessup for Rep. Mel Watt