PHOEANIX, Ariz.–Armenian Americans in Arizona united for a fundraiser in support of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) on March 31, 2007 in the City of Scottsdale organized by the ANC of Arizona. Arizona, popularly known as the Grand Canyon State, is home to a rapidly growing and prosperous Armenian American community. The ANCA fundraiser was held at the home of Toros and Rose Kabajouzian. "The ANC of Arizona is proud to be part of the ANCA’s grassroots network of over 50 chapters across the United States," remarked Yervant Baltajian, chairman of the Arizona ANC. "Our community in Arizona is building a strong ANC tradition and our event in support of the ANCA is part of this positive process," Baltajian added. Well over 75 Armenian Americans from throughout Arizona, representing a broad cross-section of the community, attended the ANCA fundraiser in Scottsdale. Some attendees drove from as far away as Sedona, a two hour ride to Scottsdale, to meet and greet ANCA leaders attending the fundraiser and hear a first-hand report about the important efforts being led by the organization in behalf of the community. The featured speakers at the event were ANCA National Chairman Ken Hachikian and ANCA-WR Regional Board Member Zanku Armenian. We are excited by the positive energy and grateful for the enthusiastic support expressed for the ANCAs mission by the Arizona Armenian American community, said Zanku Armenian, ANCA Western Region Board Member. The ANC of Arizona is playing a critical leadership role in mobilizing and uniting all parts of the community to advocate on key issues and in the process expanding their involvement in Arizona politics through a growing grassroots network. The ANC of Arizona is led by Yervant Baltajian, a former United States Air Force Senior Airman and entrepreneur. "We have laid the foundation to ensure the growing Armenian community in Arizona will have a strong voice for years to come throughout the state of Arizona and on a national level," said Baltajian. Because Arizona is one of the fastest growing states with respect to population, its political power has grown considerably over the past decade. Currently, the state has eight members in the US House of Representatives, several of whom have been supportive of Armenian American issues pending in Congress thanks to the grassroots activism of the ANC of Arizona. At present, Representatives Raul Grijalva (D), Ed Pastor (D) and Rick Renzi (R) from Arizona have cosponsored H.Res.106, the Armenian Genocide resolution.
