LOS ANGELES–The State of California’s largest and most influential Armenian-American public affairs organization–the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR)–issued a statement praising the work of Los Angeles City Attorney–Rocky Delgadillo. Since his election to office in June of 2001–Delgadillo has established a healthy working relationship with the Armenian-American community and has actively worked to attract a number of talented Armenian-American attorneys to his office.
"Rocky Delgadillo’s tenure as City Attorney for Los Angeles has been marked by a profound dedication to improving the quality of life for all Angelenos," remarked ANCA-WR Government Relations Director–Armen Carapetian. "From launching a Neighborhood Prosecutor Program that keeps our streets safe–to his work in reaching out to the Armenian-American community–Rocky Delgadillo’s commitment to public service has made our neighborhoods a healthier place to live–work–and play," Carapetian added.
This past April–Delgadillo hosted a celebration of Armenian art–culture–and heritage at Los Angeles City Hall by featuring a photography exhibit of images from Armenia–taken by his close aide Sara Anjargolian who previously worked in Armenia on a Fulbright scholarship. At the exhibit–the City Attorney welcomed members of the community to City Hall and said–"Armenian-Americans have enriched every aspect of life in our city–and across the country–from contributions in science and technology–to business and commerce–to law and politics–and of course the arts. And–for the first time–Armenian-Americans hold a majority on the Glendale City Council. You have been fighting for recognition of the Armenian Genocide–with this month marking the 90th anniversary of the deaths of 1.5 million of your ancestors at the hands of Ottoman Turkey. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for your persistent struggle. By keeping the memory of the Armenian Genocide alive–you remind all of us of our collective responsibility to insure that such horrors are never repeated again."
Sara Anjargolian–Rocky’s main contact on Armenian issues–currently serves as a policy advisor and deputy city attorney. She graduated summa cum laude from UCLA with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Policy and then went on to receive her law degree from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall School of Law. After admission to the California Bar–and before heading back to Los Angeles–Sara served as a trial lawyer for the Justice Department in Washington–DC.
Most recently–Delgadillo hired a talented–up and coming attorney–Sandy Bedrosian–to serve as a deputy city attorney in the Central Trials Division. Sandy received her undergraduate degree in both Political Science and History from USC and went on to graduate from Pepperdine Law School last year. Sandy gained valuable legal experience and skills while clerking for Federal District Court Judge Dickran Tevrizian. Sandy is currently putting these legal skills to good use for the benefit of the people of Los Angeles.
In addition to meeting with members of the Armenian clergy–including Archbishop Hovnan Derderian earlier this year–Delgadillo spoke at an event held at the United Armenian Congregational Church (UACC) on February 1–2005. During the event–hosted by the Men’s Fellowship–the City Attorney spoke about the three major issues he has tackled during his tenure: public safety–education–and an economy driven by entrepreneurship. Rocky’s meetings with the Armenian clergy and members of the church community were facilitated by yet another talented Armenian-American on his staff–Deputy City Attorney Raffy Astvasadoorian.
A native of the Eastside of Los Angeles–Rocky Delgadillo earned a scholarship to Harvard University–graduated with honors–and received his law degree from Columbia University in New York City. Delgadillo became the highest-ranking Latino to win citywide office in more than 100 years when he was elected Los Angeles City Attorney on June 5–2001. Running unopposed–he was re-elected in March 2005 to a second four-year term. Rocky is currently seeking the Democratic nomination for California Attorney General–and has already raised more than $1 million in his first 100 days of campaigning.