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ANC-WR Congratulates Antonio Villaraigosa on Inauguration as Mayor

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  • ANC-WR Congratulates Antonio Villaraigosa on Inauguration as Mayor

    Armenian National Committee of America - Western Region
    104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
    Glendale, California 91206
    Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
    [email protected] www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    Friday, July 8, 2005

    Contact: Armen Carapetian
    Tel: (818) 500-1918

    ANCA-WR CONGRATULATES ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA ON INAUGURATION AS MAYOR

    -- Los Angeles City Officials Sworn in for New Term

    LOS ANGELES, CA - Members of the Armenian National Committee of
    America - Western Region (ANCA-WR) and Armenian American community
    leaders joined thousands of Angelenos in the inauguration ceremonies
    held to swear in Los Angeles city officials for a new term on July 1,
    2005. Antonio Villaraigosa, who was endorsed by the ANCA, officially
    took on the responsibilities of Mayor of Los Angeles from the outgoing
    James Hahn.

    Echoing his campaign theme of inclusion, Mayor Villaraigosa made the
    following comments in his inaugural address:

    "Dream with me of a Los Angeles where it doesn't matter whether you're
    African American, Latino, Caucasian, or Asian. Whether you're Jewish
    or Muslim, Protestant or Catholic. Whether you're from Watts or
    Westwood. Where every Angeleno is an equal stakeholder in our city's
    future."

    Among the many Armenian Americans attending the day's events were His
    Eminence Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western
    Armenian Apostolic Church of America, members of the Consulate of the
    Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles, Glendale Mayor Rafi Manoukian and
    City Clerk Ardashes Kassakhian, Downey Councilman Kirk Catorzian,
    Chairwoman of the Armenian Relief Society of Western US Angela
    Savoian, member of the Central Committee of the Armenian Revolutionary
    Federation Karo Khanjian, members of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors
    Zanku Armenian, Ara Bedrosian, and Steven Dadaian, and ANCA-WR
    supporter Peklar Pilavjian. On hand were high level public officials
    such as Vice President Al Gore and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger as well
    as religious, community, and industry leaders from various
    backgrounds.

    "The Armenian National Committee has stood with Antonio since his days
    in the California Assembly because of his moral stance on issues of
    concern to Armenian Americans and his efforts to include individuals
    of all ethnic backgrounds in civic affairs," said Steven Dadaian, who
    chairs the ANCA-WR and is a member of Mayor Villaraigosa's transition
    team. "We congratulate Mayor Villaraigosa on his victory and look
    forward to working with him in the years to come," stated Dadaian.

    The inaugural events began with an interfaith ceremony held at Our
    Lady of the Angeles Cathedral in the morning. Participants joined the
    procession from the Cathedral to City Hall following the services. Los
    Angeles City Controller Laura Chick, City Attorney Rockard John
    Delgadillo, and members of the City Council Eric Garcetti, Janice
    Hahn, Alex Padilla, Jan Perry, Ed Reyes, Bill Rosendahl, Jack Weiss,
    and Dennis Zine took their oaths of office for their new terms before
    the Honorable Stephen Reinhardt, United States Court Of Appeals for
    the Ninth Circuit, swore Antonio Villaraigosa in as Mayor of Los
    Angeles.

    In his closing remarks, Mayor Villaraigosa praised and challenged his
    fellow Angelenos by saying "I will never forget where I came from. And
    I will always believe in the value of every Angeleno. This is truly
    our town. And we all have a contribution to make."

    Following his speech, Mayor Villaraigosa invited everyone to eat,
    drink and watch the live performances that were staged on Main Street
    in front of City Hall. Among the performances were three Armenian
    dances presented by the Hamazkayin Niari Dance Group led by Katherine
    Hairabetian.

    The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
    grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
    network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
    States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
    actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a
    broad range of issues.

    Editor's Note: Photo attached. Photo caption: Archbishop Moushegh
    Mardirossian walking with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa during the
    procession to City Hall.
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