LOS ANGELES–Presidential candidate Barack Obama heard from Armenian American activists Monday during his most recent swing through Southern California. Senator Obama was in town for a number of events, including a major rally at the Gibson Amphitheater at Universal Studios.
ANC-PAC supporters greeted Senator Obama at a political event held in support of San Fernando Valley area Congressman Howard Berman (D-CA). Obama engaged in a positive dialogue with longtime ANC leader Aida Dimejian, who encouraged the presidential contender to fully address issues of concern to Armenian Americans as part of his broader campaign efforts. She also reminded the Senator that hundreds of thousands of Armenian Americans are voters in the Golden State, as well as in key swing states such as New Hampshire and Nevada.
"I told Senator Obama that we want him to be a leader on our issues, from ending Turkey’s denial of the genocide, to boosting U.S. economic ties to Armenia. I believe he understood and appreciated my message," Dimejian remarked after speaking with the Senator from State of Illinois.
Last year, ANC-Eastern Region Executive Director Karine Birazian urged Senator Obama at a town hall meeting to cosponsor the Senate version of the Armenian Genocide resolution (S.Res.106). Immediately following her comment, Obama stated that the Armenian Genocide was one of the most horrific tragedies that occurred during the 20th Century. He also stressed the importance of working to end the campaign of denial and speaking the truth, which in some instances has unfortunately jeopardized peoples’ careers. Yet to date, the Senator has not become a cosponsor of S.Res.106. Senator Obama did write a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice expressing his concern with the Bush Administration’s shameful decision to fire former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, John Evans.
The ANC-PAC is a non-partisan federally registered political action committee established to support campaign committees for Members of Congress who share the values of the Armenian American community. The ANC-PAC is at the forefront of efforts to ensure that the voice of the Armenian American community is clearly heard in our nation’s capital. The ANC-PAC continues a century old tradition of Armenian Americans engagement on the public policy issues facing national political leaders, both in the U.S. Congress and the White House.
