WASHINGTON, D.C. – Armenian-Americans from California’s Central Valley and across the United States joined with anti-landmine advocates in praising the work of California’s 21st District Congressman David Valadao (R-CA)—a nationally respected figure on the influential House Appropriations Committee—for his leadership in seeking support for the completion of a decade-long, life-saving U.S. campaign to protect the families of Artsakh from mines and other deadly ordnance, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).
“We are fortunate that Armenian-Americans from across the San Joaquin Valley are represented in Washington, D.C. by such a strong and effective legislative leader, one who both cares deeply about the folks back home and has a proven track record of delivering results for them in our nation’s capital,” ANCA Central California’s Sevag Tateosian said. “We are encouraged by Congressman Valadao’s strong leadership and look forward to continuing to energetically back his bipartisan efforts on Artsakh aid and all our policy priorities.”
Congressman Valadao has been a leading voice in the U.S. House behind bipartisan efforts to ensure that the 2018 Fiscal Year foreign aid bill prioritizes continued support for the HALO Trust, a non-governmental organization that has, since 2006, destroyed 8,733 anti-personnel landmines, 2,584 anti-tank landmines, 180,858 small arms ammunition, 12,423 cluster bombs and 48,572 other explosives. This heroic work has saved countless lives, avoided suffering, cleared vast areas for farming and, more broadly, contributed meaningfully to regional stability and the prospects for a durable and democratic peace process. Continued congressional leadership can clear Artsakh of all landmines by 2020.
“I value my partnership with the Armenian National Committee of America on this life-saving, peace-making initiative,” Congressman Valadao said. “De-mining saves lives and prevents life-altering injuries, providing economic opportunities to family farmers to work their land free from the fear of mine-related threats and, longer-term, creating the conditions for a negotiated peace between Artsakh and Azerbaijan.”
The ANCA spearheaded the bipartisan Congressional launch of the U.S. aid program to Artsakh in the FY98 foreign aid bill and has actively supported transformative projects providing maternal healthcare, clean drinking water, and de-mining.
The 21st District of California, represented by Congressman Valadao, is centered in the San Joaquin Valley, home to tens of thousands of Armenian-Americans, including many leaders in the region’s thriving agriculture sector.
