San Francisco, CA – The Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) and the Bay Area ANC Chapter recently participated in a series of meetings in northern California to inform Members of Congress about issues relating to the Armenian American community. The meetings took place in August 2008, featuring conferences with the offices of Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-09), Congressman Pete Stark (D-CA-13), Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-06), Congressman George Miller (D-CA-07) and Congressman Wally Herger (R-CA-02).

“Every August, the community mobilizes to meet with Members of Congress to discuss issues that are important to the community,” stated ANCA-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. “During the August recess, constituents and activists can sit down with their democratically elected representatives to more personally convey their thoughts and concerns right at home in their own districts,” he added.

Through these meetings, the ANC advised Members of Congress regarding the recent controversy at the Institute of Turkish Studies (ITS). Professor Donald Quataert, director of ITS, was forced to resign after changing his long held position of denial by acknowledging the historical veracity of the Armenian Genocide in a recent book review. The ANC representatives also discussed the Southern Poverty Law Center’s recent investigative feature on the Turkish government’s denial campaign in American academia. The meetings covered support for H. Res. 106 (Armenian Genocide Resolution), H.R. 6079 (End the Turkish Blockade of Armenia Act), assistance for Darfur, the recent Ambassadorial confirmation hearings and the State Department’s acknowledgement that Ottoman authorities were responsible for the crimes committed during the Armenian Genocide.

The ANC also focused on the importance of preparing today’s youth to be tomorrow’s leaders and how Armenian Americans oriented with public affairs are making their way successfully into the world of government.

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.

Photo caption #1: Congressman George Miller (D-CA-07) joined by Bay Area ANC Director Matt Senekeremian (left) and ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian (right).

Photo caption #2: Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-06) joined by ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian (left) and Bay Area ANC Director Matt Senekeremian (right).