Category: 2017

LOS ANGELES—Chamlian Armenian School Armenian Club participated in an Armenian Club Field Trip, that took place at Armenian landmarks and offices in Los Angeles on November 17.

During the field trip, students visited sites and various community organizations to become acquainted with the different aspects of the life of an Armenian that works for a specific cause.

Chamlian Armenian Club students prepared an itinerary that mapped out the sights they would visit during their trip. Amongst these places were the Armenian Genocide Monument in Pasadena, where students paid their respects to the 1.5 million Holy Martyrs who were slaughtered by the Ottoman Turks on April 24th of 1915. The next location on the itinerary was the editorial offices of Asbarez Newspaper and the studios where Horizon Armenian Television is produced. There, the students learned the importance of Armenians’ role in spreading the word of current events that happen both in our community, the diaspora and our homeland.

Next, students visited the headquarters of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region. There, the attendees were taught about the relation of politics and our cause inside and outside of Armenia. The penultimate sight students visited was the AYF office building, where speakers and directors gave presentations about how the younger generation can have a role in our community and make a difference for our cause. Lastly, Armenian Club members visited the Homenetmen Western Regional Office. They were were provided information about how physical activities can be beneficial and even create bonds between Armenians who live in the diaspora. In addition to the packed schedule, students enjoyed lunch at the original Carousel Restaurant in Hollywood.

“The trip was a refreshing experience. I had an amazing time because not only was it an excitement to partake in something I knew would be beneficial to our new, young generation, but I was also able to witness firsthand the livelihood and the exertion of Armenians in our community, who work for a greater cause,” said Chloe Garabedian, an executive member of Armenian Club, ,

“The trip was an absolutely remarkable experience as I had the chance to gain knowledge about Armenian organizations and the people that work effortlessly to preserve our rich culture,” shared Nayiri Kalindjian, president of Armenian Club. The students also thanked their advisor, Arpa Hatzbanian, for facilitating this experience for them.

All the students who took part in this field trip believe it was a wonderful experience and look forward to activities similar to this one as they know it will enhance their knowledge about the lives of Armenians living in the diaspora. The goal is for the students to be inspired and empowered to continue to work towards the Armenian Cause and become active participants in the diaspora.

MINSK, Belarus—Leaders of countries represented in the Collective Security Treaty Organization, of which Armenia is a member, gathered in the Belarus capital on Thursday, and within one of the statements adopted by the general assembly, expressed support for the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairmen’s efforts to resolve the Karabakh conflict.

“Presidents of the CSTO member-states once again reiterated their support for the efforts exerted by the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and the three principles for conflict resolution: peoples’ right to self-determination, non-use of force or threat of force and territorial integrity,” the meeting decided.

Joining President Serzh Sarkisian at the summit were Armenia’s foreign and defense ministers Edward Nalbandian and Vigen Sargsyan, who attended a separate meeting of their counterparts from member-states that, aside from Armenia, include Russia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan.

CSTO Secretary General Yuri Khachaturov briefed the participants on the organization’s ongoing activitie and updated them on the progress of decisions taken at the last CSTO summit.

The Minsk summit became another important stage for CSTO’s development, Khachaturov announced, stressing that the CSTO Collective Rapid Response Force Operational and Combat Training Program was fully implemented in 2017.

In addition to its regular efforts, the CSTO also stage a large-scale emergency military exercise in Tajikistan with participation of the CSTO collective forces. The total number of servicemen that participated in the military exercises was reported to be 12,000.

“For the further improvement of combat readiness of the collective forces the Heads of State have adopted decisions that will be implemented in 2018,” said Khachaturov.

ISTANBUL—Garo Paylan, an Armenian member of the Turkish parliament representing the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) has sounded an alarm on the fate of minorities living in Turkey, including the Armenian community.

Speaking after vandals targeted several Alevi home in Eastern Turkey, Paylan said told Al-Monitor that minorities in Turkey could “again be pawns of shadowy forces that seek to exploit the country’s current discontents.”

“They [minorities] remember what happened to their grandparents, or even their mothers and fathers, and they know that it is in the current environment, crimes can occur,” he told Al-Monitor.

“Some powers use minorities as a form of manipulation against each other [knowing] that people are biased against these groups,” he said.

Late last week week, vandals painted red “X”s on 13 houses in the predominantly Alevi district of Cemal Gursel in Malatya, where Paylan’s grandparents are from and currently is known as a conservative city with 800,000 residents.

Two days after the Alevi homes were vandalized, an Armenian church association was pelted with stones when the office was empty.

Local police have yet to investigate these incidents.

Malatya is home to about a few dozen Armenians. Before the Genocide, one-third of the city’s residents were Armenian.

Fresno Legislator has Three Program Veterans on his Staff

WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America praised Central California Congressman Jim Costa (D-CA) for bringing onto his Washington, DC and California staffs three talented Armenian American participants in the ANCA’s Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program.

Launched in 2003, the program helps secure permanent employment and other professional opportunities in Washington, DC for young Armenian American professionals and recent graduates. The program was named after Hovig Apo Saghdejian, a beloved young community leader from the Central Valley, who lost his life, as a young man, in a tragic car accident in 2005. His eternal memory continues to inspire new generations of Armenian Americans. His family generously established the Hovig Apo Saghdejian Memorial Fund in his memory and, over the past decade, have played a vital role in the expansion of this innovative program.

Through the years, the ANCA has developed a broad array of relationships in and around Capitol Hill and remains alert to new professional opportunities across the Washington, DC political, policymaking, and media landscapes. The CGP utilizes these resources and contacts to help candidates identify and secure jobs that fit their interests and needs. Tadeh Issakhanian and Alexa Fox of Congressman Costa’s Washington DC office and Denise Altounian of his Fresno office, each with roots in the Central Valley, are alumni of the program, which has, to date, helped well over 200 recent graduates and students explore career opportunities.

“The ANCA of Central California is proud of Congressman Costa for so many reasons,” remarked ANCA of Central California’s Sevag Tateosian. “The Congressman is a great supporter of the Armenian Cause, who encourages and empowers Americans of Armenian descent to give back to America through public service. We deeply appreciate that our ‘A+’ Congressman has given so many young Armenian Americans from the Central Valley a chance to grow, learn and succeed on Capitol Hill,” added Tateosian.

For decades, since his election to the California State Assembly in 1978, the ANCA of Central California has maintained a positive and active relationship with Congressman Costa. Since his election to the U.S. House in 2004, Congressman Costa has consistently received a Congressional Grade of ‘A+’ from the ANCA as well as its biannual endorsement. The Congressman, who visited the Republic of Armenia in 2016, discussed his commitment on a wide range of Armenian American priorities in a shared dialogue he recently held on Capitol Hill with ANCA Chairman Raffi Hamparian.

Congressman Costa represents California’s 16th Congressional District – which is home to thousands of Armenian Americans – many of whom trace their roots in the Fresno, California area back to the late 19th century and early 20th century. Located in California’s San Joaquin Valley, the 16th District includes all of Merced County, as well as parts of Fresno and Madera Counties. Rich with agricultural products like grapes, almonds, cotton, dairy and beef, all three of the district’s counties rank in the top agriculture-producing counties in America. The district includes Fresno, Merced, Madera, Los Banos, Atwater, Chowchilla, Gustine, and Hilmar among others.

The ANCA Capital Gateway Program offers fellows three months of fee-waived housing, career-building workshops, and networking opportunities. The program has been structured into two sessions per year – Winter Session (begins January) and Fall Session (begins September). In addition to recent graduates, the ANCA CGP also serves university students interested in Washington, DC internship opportunities– both at the ANCA offices and various governmental agencies, space permitting.

Program fellows are housed at the ANCA’s Aramian House, located in the heart of Washington, DC in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, just blocks from the ANCA offices. ANCA Program Director Tereza Yerimyan and the Capital Gateway Program Advisory Committee (CGPAC) coordinate a series of career placement workshops on a range of issues including resume and cover letter preparation, effective interview strategies and networking. The CGPAC also connects fellows with mentors most closely aligned with their career goals for one-on-one advice and encouragement.

For university students interested in a quarter/semester in Washington, DC, the ANCA CGP can assist with internship guidance and placements both at the ANCA headquarters and other public policy and government institutions. Students are offered up to three months of free housing at The Aramian House depending on space availability and along with assistance to ensure they meet their university program obligations.

In addition to the Saghdejian family, substantial support has also been provided by the Cafesdjian Foundation; ANCA benefactors Dr. Vahakn Shahinian and the Shahinian Family; Mr. and Mrs. Frank and Barbara Hekimian; and, the Armenian American Veterans Post of Milford, Massachusetts (AAVO).

Additional information about the ANCA Hovig Apo Saghdejian Capital Gateway Program is available at anca.org/gateway or by emailing [email protected].

LOS ANGELES—The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region announced Wednesday its endorsement of Luis Lopez for California’s State Assembly. The endorsement comes in the course of California’s 51st district special election, which is set to take place December 5.

“Luis Lopez has proven to be knowledgeable and compassionate about issues of importance to the Armenian-American community, and the ANCA-Western Region is proud to issue its endorsement of his candidacy. We are confident that he will continue to be a strong voice for our concerns once he is elected to the California State Assembly, and we look forward to continuing our positive relationship with him,” stated ANCA-WR Chairperson Nora Hovsepian.

“Honoring the diversity of our communities and recognizing the struggles and contributions of immigrant families is a requirement of public service, especially at this moment in America. I am pleased to be judged worthy of endorsement by the ANCA-Western Region. And I am committed to working with all of my Armenian American sisters and brothers to build bridges of understanding and opportunity here in California through education, solidarity, just and humane public policy, and civic participation,” said Democrat for Assembly Luis Lopez.

Through the years, Lopez has developed a dependable relationship with members of the Armenian-American community including LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian and Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian. He also was a reliant advocate for Glendale City Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan and School Boardmember Shant Sahakian during their respective races. Lopez also helped rally support for Ardashes “Ardy” Kassakhian’s bid for the State Assembly in 2016.

Lopez has affirmed his support for some of the most pressing Armenian-American issues including genocide recognition and recognition and support for the Republic of Artsakh.

Lopez, a Democrat with a track record of more than 15 years of service and leadership for the communities of Northeast Los Angeles, has devoted his career to ensuring all people have access to quality and affordable healthcare. He has been a leader for affordable housing, parks, and transportation in Los Angeles for over a decade.

Lopez has also worked to bring more immigrants into the electorate and elected office. Among other matters, environmental protection has always been a priority for Lopez as he’s been an advocate for smarter waste policies.

Born in East Los Angeles and raised in El Monte, Lopez graduated from public schools and went on to earn degrees from Pomona College and Harvard UniversitHe currently works as the Director of Government Affairs at City of Hope in Duarte, California.

The 51st Assembly District includes Eagle Rock, Highland Park, Echo Park, Silver Lake, El Sereno, and Chinatown.

The Armenian National Committee of America-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 ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.