GLENDALE–The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region–on Thursday–hosted a post-election gathering with special guest–Congressman-elect Adam Schiff. The gathering–which took place at Glendale’s Peshekerian Armenian Center brought together volunteers and activists–who played an active role in the election season–promoting ANC-PAC endorsed candidates and working to get the Armenian American electorate out the polls on election day.
Also present at the event were members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Western US Central Committee–ANCA-WR Board members–representatives of local chapters of the ANCA-WR–Armenian Youth Federation members–as well as some 60 community members and activists.
The brief program–which commenced with introductory remarks by ANCA-WR Executive Director Alex Sardar–featured addresses by ANCA-WR Chairman Berdj Karapetian–Schiff and ARF Central Committee Chairman Viken Yacoubian.
Sardar in thanking the countless volunteers for putting their time and effort into getting Armenian Americans excited and active in the elections–said that on election day it was evident by the number of Armenian-Americans in polling locations that the work of the ANCA-WR and the ANC Project Vote had paid off appropriately.
Karapetian–who introduced Schiff–gave the audience an overview of the endorsement process and an idea of the past several weeks and the reasoning behind the ANC-PAC’s endorsement. He explained to the audience that with Schiff’s impressive record in the State Senate–the Armenian American community now looks forward to two years of great success in the US House of Representatives–as a leading advocate takes his seat in the legislature.
After thanking the ANC-PAC for the endorsement and for all the effort expanded on his behalf–Congressman-elect Schiff turned his attention to the race and to the individuals who stood by him in this difficult contest. Acknowledging the important work of the organization in motivating Armenian Americans to get to voting booths on election day–Schiff expressed his gratitude to the numerous individuals who took time to lend their personal talents in creating a successful run for the House of Representatives.
In conclusion–Yacoubian addressed the gathered and congratulated them for the work they had put forth–and the successes they had garnered in the election process. The ARF representative also spoke about the rifts created in the Armenian American community–calling on all of the attendees and other organizations to work in healing them for the benefit of the Armenian American community.
After closing remarks by Sardar–who thanked the various media producers and outlets for their cooperation in the campaign season–as well as Hoover High and Glendale High schools for their energetic participation by way of their Armenian club members–attendees had an opportunity to express their congratulations to Schiff personally.