SACRAMENTO–This August, California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson appointed Murad “Mo” Minasian to serve as the office’s liaison to the Armenian American community.
During the past several months Minasian has been working with The Genocide Education Project, a non-profit educational organization based in San Francisco and the Superintendent’s office to review and ensure classroom compliance with the state-mandated curricular to teach about the Armenian Genocide in California high schools. As part of this effort and with the support of Raffi Momjian, Executive Director of The Genocide Education Project, a survey is being drafted for distribution to California teachers.
“The ANCA-Western Region is proud to have one of its activists serve as Superintendent Torlakson’s liaison to the Armenian American community,” said Andrew Kzirian, Chairman of the ANCA-Western Region Board of Directors. “We applaud his work with the Superintendent and The Genocide Education Project to make sure that the history is accurately taught to all California students.”
Minasian is a long-time activist with the Armenian National Committee of America’s San Gabriel Valley Chapter. His father, Michael Minasian is a founding member of the Armenian Genocide Martyrs Monument in Montebello.
This past April, freeway signs were erected on Route 60 designating the exits providing access to the monument. This was made possible by legislation passed in 2009 and authored by California State Assembly Majority Leader Charles Calderon. Torlakson, then a member of the California State Assembly, was a co-sponsor of the legislation.
Minasian was instrumental in the effort from the legislation to the sign unveiling ceremonies which were jointly sponsored by the ANCA SGV and the Armenian Monument Council which oversees and maintains the monument.
Torlakson had previously served in the California State Assembly before being elected Superintendent of Public Instruction, a state-wide public office, in November 2010. The ANCA-Western Region endorsed Torlakson in the race and actively mobilized Armenian Americans throughout the state in support of his election.
The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
