Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee-Western Region (ANC-WR) is pleased to announce that the organization’s annual banquet to be held on October 12, 2008 at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California is officially a sold out affair.

“We are very excited for what again is a sold out banquet,” stated ANC-WR Banquet Chairwoman Aida Dimejian. “The ANC-WR Annual Banquet allows all of our community leaders and activists to come together with government officials and policymakers to reflect on a year of tremendous accomplishments,” she added.

Honorary chairs of the event include Congressmen Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, Ed Royce, Congresswoman Jackie Speier and several others. Those being honored include Vice Presidential Nominee Senator Joseph Biden, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, President Ronald Reagan and Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian.

Senator Biden, set to receive the prestigious Freedom Award, has provided friendship and support to the Armenian American community dating back to his first days in public office. As Chairman of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Joseph Biden has cosponsored numerous Armenian Genocide resolutions and most recently presided over the confirmation hearing of Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch.

The ANC-WR 2008 Man of the year is Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. As Mayor of Los Angeles, Villaraigosa has repeatedly demonstrated his steadfast support for the Armenian community. In 2007, at the urging and support of the Mayor, the Los Angeles City Council passed a resolution calling on the House of Representatives to pass H. Res. 106.

Following his election to the presidency in 1980, Ronald Reagan distinguished himself as the last U.S. President to properly acknowledge the Armenian Genocide as “genocide”. President Reagan will be honored with the esteemed Woodrow Wilson Award at the ANC-WR 2008 Banquet.

A dedicated supporter of the ANC-WR, Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian shall be honored with this year’s Legacy Award. Over the years, Pilavjian has vigorously supported several Armenian organizations including the Western Prelacy, Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian National Committee, Homenetmen, Armenian Relief Society as well as many Armenian Schools. Pilvajian’s diligent efforts are truly admirable and she has been instrumental in support of the community’s growth.

Individuals interested in learning more about the ANC-WR banquet are encouraged to contact ANC-WR Banquet Coordinator Aida Dimejian at (818) 500-1918 or visit www.itsmyseat.com. The banquet is slated to begin at 3:30 pm with the cocktail hour and dinner and program set to begin promptly at 5:30 p.m.

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

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