Armenian Assembly of America
122 C Street, NW, Suite 350
Washington, DC 20001
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.armenianassembly.org

PRESS RELEASE
August 26, 2004
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]

ILLINOIS CONGRESSMAN JOHN SHIMKUS JOINS ARMENIAN CAUCUS

Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly welcomed the official announcement
today that Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) has joined the Congressional
Caucus on Armenian Issues, bringing the total Caucus membership to 136.

"I am very pleased to join the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues,"
said Congressman Shimkus. "Armenian-Americans in my district have always
been passionate, dedicated and informed advocates for the need for stronger
and better relations between our two nations. I am honored to help them to
achieve that goal by being a member of the Caucus."

Congressman Shimkus currently co-chairs the House Baltic Caucus, which
assists the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in strengthening
their democracies and free market economies.

"The Assembly is delighted that Congressman Shimkus will continue supporting
Armenian issues through his membership to the Caucus," said Assembly
Executive Director Ross Vartian. "During his tenure in Congress,
Representative Shimkus has repeatedly called for reaffirmation of the
Armenian Genocide. The Assembly looks forward to working with him on this
and other issues facing the community."

Last year, Congressman Shimkus signed on as cosponsor of H. Res. 193, a
resolution which ensures that the lessons of the Holocaust and the Armenian
Genocide, as well as those in Cambodia and Rwanda are not forgotten. In
addition to his support of Genocide reaffirmation, Representative Shimkus in
April backed a congressional letter sent to House Foreign Operations
Subcommittee Chairman Jim Kolbe (R-AZ), outlining funding priorities for
Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh in Fiscal Year 2005.

Congressman Shimkus, currently serving his fourth term in office, represents
the 19th congressional district which spans from Springfield to Metropolis,
which borders Kentucky. He serves on the House Energy and Commerce
Committee and is vice chairman of its Subcommittee on Energy and Air
Quality. He is also a member of three additional Energy and Commerce
Subcommittees: Telecommunications and the Internet; Environment and
Hazardous Materials; and Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

The Armenian Caucus was formed in 1995 to provide a bipartisan forum for
legislators to discuss how the United States can better assist the peoples
of Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. It is co-chaired by Representatives Joe
Knollenberg (R-MI) and Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ.)

The Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.

NR#2004-078

Photograph available on the Assembly's Web site at the following link:

http://www.aaainc.org/images/press/2004-078/2004-078-1.jpg

Caption: Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL.)