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AAA: Senator Sarbanes to Address Assembly National Advocacy Conf.

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  • AAA: Senator Sarbanes to Address Assembly National Advocacy Conf.

    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
    March 19, 2004
    CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
    E-mail: [email protected]


    SENATOR SARBANES TO ADDRESS ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY'S NATIONAL ADVOCACY CONFERENCE

    Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly announced this week that longtime
    Armenian issues supporter Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) will be the
    Democratic keynote speaker at the Assembly's National Conference and
    Banquet, April 18-20, in Washington, DC.

    Sarbanes will join Republican keynote speaker Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY)
    during a Monday night banquet that is part of a three-day event being held
    in cooperation with the Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and the
    Eastern and Western Diocese of the Armenian Church.

    "We're delighted to have Senator Sarbanes, a staunch supporter of our
    community, take the time to brief conference participants," said National
    Conference and Banquet Chair Annie Totah.

    In August of last year, McConnell and Sarbanes introduced S. 1557, which
    would extend permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status to Armenia. If
    enacted, the legislation would allow Armenian goods easier access to the
    U.S. by eliminating a 30-year-old provision governing levy of duty and
    taxes.

    More recently, the senator joined five of his colleagues in sending a letter
    to President Bush urging him to ask Turkey to lift its damaging blockade of
    Armenia during his recent meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip
    Erdogan. In addition to his support on this letter, the senator is a
    cosponsor of the genocide resolution (S. Res. 164), which would ensure that
    the lessons of the Holocaust and the Armenian Genocide, in addition to those
    in Cambodia and Rwanda, as well as others, are not forgotten.

    Additionally, Sarbanes has repeatedly led the fight to maintain Section 907
    of the Freedom Support Act, which places reasonable restrictions on U.S.
    assistance to Azerbaijan while it continues to immorally block Armenia and
    Nagorno Karabakh. In 2001, he and McConnell led the successful Senate floor
    debate in defeating an attempt to rescind this crucial measure.

    Organized by the Assembly's Armenian American Action Committee (ARAMAC), the
    three-day event is a prime opportunity for anyone interested in honing their
    advocacy skills and brainstorming issues with some of Washington's most
    influential policymakers. Participants will have the opportunity to gain
    deeper insight into the inner-workings of Congress during advocacy workshop
    sessions, panel discussions and meetings with elected officials.

    The conference agenda will include a panel discussion on "Secrets to
    Advocacy." Panel participants include: Former Congressman James Rogan
    (R-CA), New Hampshire State Representative Harry Haytayan (R-NH),
    legislative assistant for Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) Joanne Berry and
    Assembly Board of Directors member and one-time aide to former Governor
    Wilson (R-CA), Lisa Kalustian. The panel will be moderated by Assembly
    Board of Directors Vice Chair Lisa Esayian.

    The conference will open with an ecumenical service at the National
    Cathedral marking the 89th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide. From
    there, guests will attend a welcoming reception at the Kennedy Center for
    the Performing Arts. The next day, conference attendees will take part in a
    full-day of advocacy workshops and panel discussion, followed by a reception
    and banquet that evening. The conference will close Tuesday with a farewell
    breakfast after which time activist will head to Capitol Hill for meetings
    with their elected officials.

    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#2004-030

    Photograph available at the following link:

    http://sarbanes.senate.gov/images/pics/official_color_photo.gif

    Caption: Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD)
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