Los Angeles, CA – Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) members from across the Western United States are writing letters to their elected federal representatives to urge them to pass the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 106). The letter writing campaign is being coordinated with the Armenian National Committee – Western Region and local ANC chapters across the region. “We are proud that AYF members are playing a key role in promoting awareness of the genocide resolution among House and Senate members,” remarked AYF Central Executive Chairperson Caspar Jivalagian. “AYF members have been engaged in advancing the Armenian Cause for 74 years, since our organizations founding in 1933. I am proud of the intellect and energy our AYF members are putting into this letter writing campaign to Congress and other efforts related to the Armenian Cause,” he added. The AYF letter writing campaign has engaged all 12 chapters of the AYF Western Region, from Orange County, California to Houston, Texas; mobilizing over 300 members to collect and personally author correspondence to Members of Congress. The ANCA in Washington, DC is working to ensure that all of these letters are hand delivered to Congressional offices on Capitol Hill. Members of local AYF chapters have been active in encouraging community members to write to their Representative, demanding passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Focused efforts have especially been made by the San Francisco “Rosdom” chapter, writing to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Tom Lantos. “The ANC-WR and our family of local chapters are impressed with the work of individual AYF members in making this Congressional letter writing campaign a complete success,” commented ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. With content rich letters that reveal a deep understanding of the governmental process in our nation’s capital, these AYF members reflect the best of a new generation of Armenian American leaders.”

Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), with chapters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, has grown to become the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization. Inspired by the past and motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of all Armenian youth. For more information about the AYF, please visit www.AYFwest.org.

The Armenian National Committee of America 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.