(Sacramento, California)—The Armenian National Committee of America Western Region (ANCA-Western Region) welcomes Governor Newsom’s appointment of Roxanne Makasdjian, Executive Director of the Genocide Education Project and long-standing member of ANCA-San Francisco Chapter, to represent the Armenian American community on the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education.

“After working tirelessly for many months with Governor Newsom and his office on the launch of his Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education, we are gratified that the Governor has appointed long-standing member of our ANCA-San Francisco chapter, ANCA-WR Education Committee member and Executive Director of the Genocide Education Project Roxanne Makasdjian to represent the Armenian American community on this distinguished Council,” said Nora Hovsepian, Esq., Chair of ANCA-Western Region.

Governor Gavin Newsom had announced the launch of the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education during a visit to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles on October 6, 2021. The Council will be tasked with identifying instructional resources to teach students across California about the Holocaust and other acts of genocide and provide young people with the tools necessary to recognize and respond to on-campus instances of anti-Semitism and bigotry.

“An attack on any of our communities is an attack against all Californians and our state will not stand by as the forces of hate instigate acts of violent extremism that put lives at risk,” said Governor Newsom. “California is taking action with major investments to support anti-hate programs and enlisting the expertise of demonstrated leaders in Holocaust and genocide education to inoculate young people against the dangerous messages of hate and division pervading our public discourse.”

State Senator Henry Stern, Attorney General Rob Bonta and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond are serving as Co-Chairs of the Council. Also serving on the Council as legislative members are Assemblymembers Adrin Nazarian, Jose Medina, James Ramos and Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, and Senators Scott Wiener, Connie Leyva, and Susan Rubio.

“I could not imagine a more important moment for this council to launch this critical work. The council members bring a depth of knowledge, experience, and expertise and I look forward to working with them as co-chair,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, Co-Chair of the Council. “We know that comprehensive Holocaust Education implemented at all schools is an essential part of our effort to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate. The work of this council, along with the CDE’s anti-bias education training and Education to End Hate initiative, gives me hope that through education we can work in solidarity towards a better future for California students.”

Since the launch of the Council in October 2021, Governor Newsom’s office has been in constant communication with ANCA-Western Region and representatives of other communities to identify academics and experts to serve as members of the Council.

“We heartily congratulate Roxanne and know that she will ably and passionately bring her expertise to ensure the proper inclusion of the Armenian Genocide in the important work of this Council. We are grateful to Governor Newsom, Council Chair Senator Henry Stern whose legislation sparked the creation of this Council and to all his colleagues who are committed to its success. The ANCA-WR stands ready to continue its collaboration with these public servants to address the challenges caused by ongoing Armenophobia, anti-Semitism and other forms of hate which stem from and lead to the ultimate hate crime of genocide,” concluded Nora Hovsepian, Esq., Chair of ANCA-Western Region.

The ANCA-Western Region has for years advocated for inclusion of the Armenian Genocide in public school curricula and has been at the forefront of working with State legislators and local school boards throughout the Western United States toward this end. With the passage of the congressional resolutions officially recognizing the Armenian Genocide and specifically emphasizing that public instruction on this subject should be encouraged, California has clearly shown that it is committed as a State to implementing the spirit and language of the congressional resolutions and will serve as an example for other States to follow.

Other appointees to the Governor’s Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education include:

• Beth Kean, CEO of the Holocaust Museum LA
• Brian Fong, California Program Director for Facing History and Ourselves
• Joyce Newstat, Former Chair of the Jewish Family and Children’s Services Holocaust Center
• Kori Street, Deputy Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation
• Liebe Geft, Director of the Museum of Tolerance
• Michael Berenbaum, Director of the Sigi Ziering Institute, Professor of Jewish Studies at the American Jewish University
• Roxanne Makasdjian, Executive Director of the Genocide Education Project
• Seth Brysk, Central Pacific Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League
• Taylor Pennewell, Executive Director of the Redbud Resource Group

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.