GLENDALE–Leaders of local Armenian National Committee chapters this week met with representatives Diane Watson (D-33) and John Doolittle (R-4) to discuss pertinent issues of interest to the Armenian-American community.
A Hollywood ANC delegation led by its chairman Garo Ispenjian met with Rep. Diane Watson this week in her Los Angeles district office to discuss issues of concern to the local Armenian American community.
During the meeting–the ANCA-WR expressed appreciation for the Congresswoman’s record of support for Armenian American issues. Numerous topics were discussed including Armenian Genocide legislation–the railway projects in the Caucasus–Armenia’s growing economy–and the recall of US Ambassador to Armenia–John Marshall Evans.
Ispendjian–who is also a constituent of Rep. Watson–briefed the Congresswoman about the firing of Ambassador Evans and the delay of Ambassador-designate Richard Hoagland’s confirmation as ambassador to Armenia. Congresswoman Watson agreed to join her colleagues in writing a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice–asking the State Department to respond to a series of questions–including specific inquiries about reports that Ambassador Evans had been recalled due to accurately describing the Armenian Genocide as a genocide.
"Congresswoman Diane Watson has always been a strong supporter of the Armenian American community. She is always ready to listen to the concerns of the community–understand the issues–and properly represent her constituents in Congress," said Ispendjian.
Since taking office in 2002–Rep. Watson has been a member of the Armenian Caucus and has cosponsored numerous resolutions in favor of Armenian Genocide recognition–economic support of Armenia through trade–and ending Turkey’s blockade of Armenia. Three of the most recent pieces of legislation that she has supported are the Armenian Genocide resolutions–H.Res. 316 and H.Con.Res. 195–and South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act–H.R. 3361.
ANC of Sacramento representatives Ohannes and Silva Boghossian met with Rep. John Doolittle in his Santa Barbara district office earlier this week while the Congressman was in town during the Congressional August Recess.
During their meeting–the Boghossians thanked Congressman Doolittle for his support of Armenian American issues–most notably for his co-sponsorship of H. Res. 316–a resolution which calls upon the President to ensure that the foreign of the United States reflects understanding and sensitivity of issues such as the Armenian Genocide. Numerous issues of concern to the Armenian American community were discussed.
Boghossian asked Representative Doolittle to urge House Speaker Dennis Hastert to bring the Armenian Genocide resolutions to a House floor vote–which he has thus far failed to do. The Congressman expressed his commitment on this issue and pledged to actively support the self-determination of Nagorno-Karabakh and expressed concern over Turkey’s blockade of Armenia.
"The Armenian American community is grateful for Congressman Doolittle’s support," said Boghossian. "We look forward to the Congressman’s leadership in advancing our issues on Capitol Hill."
Congressman John Doolittle represents California’s 4th district–where a large number of Armenia’s reside. The district stretches from the eastern Sacramento Region to Lake Tahoe on the south and runs up the Sierra Nevada range to the high desert of Modoc County on the Oregon border. He serves on the House Appropriations Committee and is a native of Glendale.
The ANCA 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.