GLENDALE, CA– The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) today announced its endorsement of longtime public servant Jerry Brown for Governor of California. The coveted endorsement represents an unprecedented commitment to dedicate ANCA-WR resources and activists to elect Jerry Brown as Governor.

“We urge all Armenian-Americans to cast their vote for Jerry Brown, a proven ally whose contributions to our issues have spanned the course of almost 40 years,” said Aida Dimejian, Chair of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors.

For many generations, Jerry Brown has been a good friend of the Armenian-American community in the State of California. Just last year, serving in his capacity as Attorney General, Brown submitted an Amicus Curaie brief, also known as a “friend of the court” brief on behalf of the people of California against a 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling. Members of the Court argued that the mere use of the phrase “Armenian Genocide” conflicts with United States foreign policy and struck down a California law which could have provided an opportunity for Armenian Genocide victims to obtain assets wrongfully withheld by insurance companies which served the Ottoman Armenian community.

Jerry Brown stood up where the Court failed to act. In his Amicus brief, Brown argued that he is “unaware of any precedent for the proposition that the President may implicitly- or, indeed, even explicitly-dictate the terminology that States may use in describing an historic event.”

Jerry Brown has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Armenian Genocide recognition and pledges to support the inclusion and expansion of the subject in the history curriculum of state schools. As Governor of California (1975-1983), he appointed a high number of Armenian-Americans to government positions, commissions, and judicial posts. For his years of service to California and its Armenian-American constituents, Jerry Brown was awarded the prestigious “Freedom Award”, one of the highest honors bestowed by the ANCA-WR.

“Jerry Brown is the right choice for Governor because he has a proven record of advancing interests of great concern to our community,” stated Leon Kirakosian, former member of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors.

The ANCA-WR has partnered with California Armenians for Jerry Brown to mobilize supporters, spread awareness, and engage Armenian-Americans throughout the state to make the difference in the highly contested election. This grassroots movement has already tapped into volunteers in the Golden State who will reach out to their neighbors through coordinated canvassing and phone-banking to advocate on behalf of Jerry Brown. For more information, please contact ANCA-WR at (818)500-1918.

The ANCA-WR 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 ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

PHOTO CAPTION: ANCA-WR Endorsed California Gubernatorial Candidate, Jerry Brown.