By: Katy Simonian

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) will salute Representative Dina Titus (D-NV-1) with the prestigious Legislator of the Year Award for her unwavering support and years of impactful advocacy for the Armenian Cause. On Sunday, October 20^th, the Armenian-American community will have the opportunity to celebrate Representative Titus’s impressive legislative record when she is presented with her much-deserved honor during the Gala ceremony which will take place at The Beverly Hilton.

For over thirteen years as a Congresswoman, Representative Titus has stood as a champion of human rights, voting rights, education, the environment, infrastructure, foreign policy and strengthening America’s relationship with Armenia by recognizing the Armenian Genocide and safeguarding Armenia and Artsakh from future crimes against humanity.

Her engagement with the Armenian-American community of Las Vegas began with the grassroots efforts of the ANCA-Nevada chapter led by ANCA-WR board member and inaugural Steve Artinian Visionary Activist Award recipient, Lenna Hovannesian. Congresswoman Titus has worked side-by-side with activists across the Armenian community to spearhead resolutions and meaningful policy for the future of Armenia and Artsakh. Representative Titus’s service stands as a blueprint for her colleagues in Congress to embrace when it comes to working with her growing constituency.

Congresswoman Titus’s tenure in Congress is defined by a unique combination of political courage and compassion that has made her one of the most effective leaders in the House.

Most recently, Representative Titus supported H.Res.190, reaffirming the United States’ commitment to the security of Armenia, the Republic of Artsakh, and the Armenian People in the face of ongoing threats at the hands of Turkish-backed Azeri aggression. The resolution also advocates for continued U.S. assistance to the region, including humanitarian aid and most significantly, support for the country’s development.

In 2021, Representative Titus offered her full support of H.Res.220 which condemned the destruction of cultural and religious sites by Azerbaijan, during and after the 2020 conflict. The resolution called for accountability and measures to protect Armenian heritage sites from cultural genocide and erasure.

Congresswoman Titus has been a fierce advocate for the people of Armenia since the 2020 conflict began, with Azerbaijan targeting Armenian civilians in Artsakh, in an unprovoked attack that included the bombing of a maternity ward as well as Azeri forces breaking three ceasefires in their unrelenting assault on the people of Artsakh. She was one of the first members of Congress to immediately endorse H.Res.1203, condemning Azerbaijan’s aggression against Armenia and Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The resolution called for the U.S. to halt military aid to Azerbaijan and for the recognition of Artsakh’s right to self-determination.

One of her greatest legislative achievements came in 2019 when she co-sponsored H.Res.296, affirming the United States’ record on the Armenian Genocide. This historic resolution, which formally recognized the Armenian Genocide, passed the House of Representatives in October 2019, marking a significant step in acknowledging the Armenian Genocide as an undeniable historical fact. Her work to spearhead efforts of recognition was fulfilled when President Biden formally recognized the Armenian Genocide in 2021, marking a new era in U.S. foreign policy on Armenia.

Representative Titus continues to work with her colleagues in Congress to call for the Biden Administration to enforce laws that would prevent U.S. military aid from being used against Armenia. She has been one of the most vocal members of Congress on the need for the U.S. to lead the way in preventing a second Armenian Genocide to ensure the security of the region for the sovereignty of Armenia and Artsakh through a policy that promotes justice and peace.

Her willingness to never cower in the face of adversity is matched only by her deep sense of empathy for the Armenian-American community and all those she serves. As a proud Greek-American, Representative Titus has long admired the Armenian-American community’s vision and ability to build a robust Diaspora in America and globally. The connective thread across the Greek and Armenian experience is a devotion to family, faith and the promise of freedom – two communities linked by values that exemplify what is possible when we contribute to America’s promise of opportunity through policies that defend national and international security.

The strong connection between her Greek background and public service was instilled in Congresswoman Titus since the early days of her childhood. Raised in the small town of Tifton, Georgia, her parents Joe and Betty Titus, inspired their children to pursue their education, fight for the causes they believe in, and to always give back.

Family and service mean everything for Congresswoman Titus who has been married to her husband, Professor Thomas C. Wright for over 40 years. Her sister Dr. Rho Hudson, is a professor of special education and a founding faculty member of Nevada State College. After graduating from the College of William and Mary, Congresswoman Titus earned her Master’s degree from the University of Georgia, and her Doctorate from Florida State University. A former professor of Political Science at the University of Nevada, she is the author of Bombs in the Backyard: Atomic Testing and American Politics and Battle Born: Federal-State Relations in Nevada During the Twentieth Century.

Her family’s love of community is deeply connected to their Greek roots. As the proud granddaughter of a Greek immigrant, Alice Costandina Titus, aka Congresswoman Dina Titus, shared a special closeness with her Grandfather Arthur Costandinos Cathones, who immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island in 1911. Years later, Representative Titus would purchase a brick engraved with her grandfather’s name at the restored Ellis Island. One of the most poignant moments of her career in public service came when she was first sworn in to Congress. Placing her hand on her grandfather’s Greek Bible, she swore an oath to protect and serve the country that welcomed her family with open arms and the promise of opportunity – a fitting way to begin a chapter of service guided by a humble dedication to preserving the American dream for all Americans. Representative Titus is the Vice Chair of the Hellenic Caucus in Congress, representing her culture and building cooperation between the United States and Greece. She has called for the reunification of Cyprus and protections for the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople – honoring her family’s heritage with her commitment to the principles of American democracy.

Her faith and involvement as an active member of the Greek community offers Congresswoman Titus a unique insight into the plight and accomplishments of the Armenian community in the United States and abroad. Titus began her political career in 1988, after being elected to the Nevada State Senate, where she served for twenty years. She then served a six-year term on the Commission for Civil Rights and currently serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee of the U.S. Congress where she continues to be an outspoken advocate for the Armenian people.

“I am honored to be named the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region’s 2024 Legislator of the Year. As a Member of Congress who represents a sizable Armenian diaspora community in Southern Nevada, I am pleased and privileged to accept this recognition,” says Representative Titus, who maintains her long-standing commitment to supporting the Armenian people and protecting the Armenian Cause.

“I’ve been proud to stand with the ANCA to protect Armenian human rights following Azerbaijan’s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, urge the return of Armenian POWs, call for the protection of sacred Armenian religious sites, and protect the sovereignty of Armenia. Whether it has been on the Azerbaijan Sanctions Review Act, my work to get the Library of Congress to recognize the Armenian Genocide, or the myriad of pro-Armenia amendments I have introduced to various bills, the ANCA has always been by my side. The advocacy and grassroots power-building they have done has resulted in real legislative wins from City Councils to the halls of Congress. I am humbled to receive this honor; I am committed to representing the Las Vegas Armenian community; and I will always have the backs of Armenians everywhere.”

With a humble heart, a deep sense of empathy, and her constant support for Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian-American community, Representative Titus continues to make an indelible mark in Congress as a faithful leader and formidable advocate for the Armenian people.

For more information about Congresswoman Dina Titus’s admirable career in public service and to purchase tickets to the ANCA-WR Gala, click here.

The Armenian National Committee of America–Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan 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 in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

Katy Simonian is a member of the 2024 ANCA-WR Gala Committee.