*Delegation participates in DNC spring meeting in Washington.
WASHINGTON–The Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council discussed issues of concern to Armenian American voters with newly elected Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Joe Andrew and other top Democratic leaders this past weekend–during the party’s annual Spring meetings in Washington,
National Democratic Ethnic Coordinating Committee
An AADLC delegation–led by Raffi Asatoorian and Silva Mikaelian from La Crosse–Wisconsin–took part in the March 19th meeting of the National Democratic Ethnic Coordinating Committee (NDECC). This meeting featured in-depth briefings with Chairman Andrew–who spoke about expanding the party’s outreach to ethnic communities–as well as with Craig Smith–Vice President Al Gore’s newly appointed campaign manager; Jill Alper–the DNC Political Director; Regena Thomas–the DNC Base Vote Director–and; Tom Albert the Director of the NDECC.
The AADLC was joined at the NDECC meeting by representatives of other ethnic American communities–including Albanians–Arabs–Croatians–Cypriots–Czechs–Germans–Greeks–Hungarians–Italians–Irish–Lithuanians–Poles–Portuguese–Serbians–Slovaks–Swedes–Ukrainians–and other nationalities from Europe and the Mediterranean.
Meetings with top Democratic party officials
AADLC representatives also attended a joint presentation by Vice President Gore to the DNC Women’s Caucus and the NDECC. In his remarks–which were enthusiastically received–the Vice President stressed the critical role he expects women and ethnic communities will play in his coming presidential campaign.
In addition to a brief opportunity to speak with the Vice President following his remarks–the AADLC delegation held more detailed individual discussions with Chairman Andrew and Colorado Governor Roy Roemer–who serves as the DNC’s General Chairman. AADLC also met with the two DNC General Co-Chairmen–Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer and Rep. Loretta Sanchez–who represents Orange County in the US House of Representatives.
"Chairman Andrew–who just completed an extremely successful tenure as Indiana Democratic Party Chair–demonstrated an in-depth understanding of America’s diverse ethnic communities and showed a real appreciation of how these communities can help expand the party and win elections," said AADLC delegation member Lucy Keshishian.
"In his remarks at the NDECC meeting–and in our discussions with him during the course of the weekend–we saw the confidence–energy–and leadership skills our party will need to keep the White House and take back Congress in the 2000 elections," said Raffi Asatoorian.
AADLC thanks Outgoing DNC Chairman
"We would also like to thank Steve Grossman–who recently stepped down as DNC Chairman–for his leadership of the party–his friendship with the Armenian American community–and–in particular–his efforts to expand the voice of ethnic communities in the Democratic party’s structure," said Asatoorian. "Our victory – against all predictions – in the 1998 Congressional elections–would not have been possible without his hard work and commitment to the core values and constituencies of the Democratic Party."
The AADLC works with the Democratic National Committee to foster support within the Armenian American community for the Democratic Party and national Democratic office holders–while promoting the election of Armenian American Democrats to political office and encouraging participation by Armenian American Democrats at all levels of the public policy process.
For additional information on AADLC–please e-mail Executive Director Alex Sardar at aadlc98@aol.com.
