VAN NUYS, Calif.–A delegation from the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region met with Acting Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Congressman Howard Berman (D-CA-28) last Wednesday to discuss issues of concern to the Armenian American Community.
The delegation included ANCA-WR Board Members Steve Dadaian, Vicken Sonentz-Papazian and Avo Ovayan. Berman has been acting as Chairman of the influential House Committee since the unfortunate passing of HCFA Chairman, Congressman Tom Lantos, who recently succumbed to esophageal cancer.
During the meeting, Congressman Berman reiterated his support for the passage of H. Res. 106 and for increasing aid to Armenia, especially vis-a-vis petrodollar rich and warmongering Azerbaijan. The meeting participants also noted Kosovo’s recent declaration of independence and how comparatively, Nagorno-Karabakh also enjoys a strong case for self-determination.
"We always welcome the opportunity to engage in a meaningful exchange of information and ideas with the acting and future Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee," stated Dadaian. "During our meeting it was clear that Congressman Berman’shares our optimistic outlook for advancing issues of concern to the Armenian American community and we look forward to working closely with him to accomplish that task," he added.
Berman represents northern areas of Hollywood, the eastern half of the San Fernando Valley and the city of San Fernando. In 2007, Berman’served as a strong supporter of H. Res. 106, authoring a powerful dear colleague letter espousing the Armenian Genocide resolution. The letter discussed the classification of the Armenian Genocide as historically accurate by the International Association of Genocide Scholars and called for Turkey to recognize this crime against humanity. On October 10, 2007, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs passed H. Res. 106 by a vote of 27-21, including supportive remarks by then-second ranking Democrat Berman.
Berman has served in the House of Representatives since 1983 representing the 28th Congressional district of California. Born in Los Angeles and educated at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), Berman was a lawyer and a member of the California State Assembly from 1972-1983.
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.
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