GLENDALE, CA– As part of its advocacy and outreach programs, the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region kicked off its 2002 Congressional Outreach Campaign on Wednesday, January 16, meeting with Representative Adam B. Schiff of the California’s 27th Congressional District. The meeting, which was attended by representatives of three of the four chapters of the ANC active in the 27th Congressional District, signaled the start of an active first quarter of 2002, wherein chapters of the ANCA-WR will be meeting with members of Congress from a variety of geographic areas and regions.

ANC chairpersons Artin Manoukian, Sako Tchakian, and Hagop Yedalian of the Glendale, La Crescenta and Pasadena chapters, respectively, were accompanied by ANCA-WR Executive Director Alex Sardar in the meeting with Rep. Schiff and his field representative Anahid Oshagan to discuss specific issues of concern to the local communities represented by the Congressman. In addition, the ANC representatives touched on a number of national issues and topics of concern to the Armenian American community.

Manoukian, Tchakian and Yedalian briefed Rep. Schiff on the Glendale Genocide monument process, concerns over housing for socio-economically disadvantaged sectors of the community, youth programs and general concerns, as well as plans for the coming year. The ANC representatives thanked Congressman Schiff for visiting Armenia in August of 2001, as he had promised to do during his 2000 campaign.

Rep. Schiff went on to thank the ANC leaders in attendance for their work in the 27th Congressional district and for the organization’s leadership on Armenian American issues. Speaking of last year’s Congressional agenda, Rep. Schiff reminded the community representatives of his readiness to advocate for the Armenian American community’s issues, as presented by the ANCA, including the maintenance of Section 907, the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, and increased aid for economic and democratic development in the Republic of Armenia. Rep. Schiff also spoke of the importance of Congressional recognition and affirmation of the Armenian Genocide, and reiterated his readiness to work with the ANCA in introducing the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

“With the new Congressional session upon us, we look forward to working with Rep. Schiff on those issues affecting our communities in the 27th Congressional District,” explained Manoukian. “At the same time, as the only Armenian American organization that supported Rep. Schiff’s candidacy in the 2000 election cycle, we have been continuously pleased by his initiatives and his relentless advocacy on those issues, which are so very important to our community,” said Manoukian.

The ANCA-WR 2002 Congressional Outreach Campaign will be a three month program conducted by local chapters of the organization. The Outreach Campaign aims to familiarize Members of Congress with issues of concern to the Armenian American communities in their districts, providing them an opportunity to work closely with constituents to address mutual concerns.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) is the largest and most influential Armenian-American grassroots political organization. The ANCA actively advances a broad range of issues of concern to the Armenian-American community.