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Armenian National Committee of America
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 9, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
JACKIE KANCHELIAN SPEIER ELECTED TO U.S. CONGRESS
-- Armenian American to be sworn in April 10th to represent
California's 12th Congressional District
San Francisco, CA - Armenian American Jackie Kanchelian Speier
swept to a resounding victory last night, receiving close to 80% of
the vote in a special election in California's 12th Congressional
District, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA.) Speier will be joining Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-14) as the only
other Armenian American legislator in the 110th Congress.
"We are encouraged to see Jackie Speier, a tremendously talented
public servant and proud daughter of the Armenian people, elected
to represent the citizens of California's 12th Congressional
District," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.
"She comes to Washington with a proven track record of legislative
achievement in California, and we look forward to working with her
on issues of shared concern."
Speier won the special election on April 8th, which was scheduled
after Rep. Tom Lantos' untimely passing earlier this year when he
succumbed to esophageal cancer. In a field of five candidates,
Representative-elect Speier won an impressive 77.9% of the vote,
with the remaining candidates receiving less than 10% each.
San Francisco-Bay Area ANC activists played a significant role in
all facets of the Jackie Speier for Congress campaign. Armenian
Americans volunteered regularly in phone banking and other get-out-
the-vote efforts coordinated by the local ANC chapter. Through the
leadership of the Armenian National Committee Political Action
Committee (ANC-PAC), Armenian Americans from across the U.S., at
events and over the internet, raised funds for her election bid.
Speier has been active on Armenian American concerns throughout her
years in the California state legislature. During her tenure in
Sacramento, she authored 16 bills related to Armenian issues. In
1989, she advocated for the law mandating the Department of
Education to include instruction on the Armenian Genocide in public
schools. Every year thereafter, she co-sponsored the resolution
commemorating the Armenian Genocide, including the 2005 bill that
made the commemoration permanent law. In her final term, Speier
introduced a measure that allows Armenian Genocide victims or their
beneficiaries to file claims against banks doing business in
California that refuse to pay for deposited or looted assets of
Armenian Genocide victims.
"When I get elected to Congress, the epicenter of Armenian American
representation in Congress will be right here," said Speier, who
was a keynote speaker at this year's March 8th San Francisco Bay
Area ANC "Hai Tad" Evening along with Hamparian. She pledged to
continue the fight for justice for the Armenian Genocide and rally
support for Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, limiting aid to
Azerbaijan, until it lifts its blockade of Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh. "Turkey cannot strangle Armenia into submission by
circumventing Armenia's territory in every regional infrastructure
project. Turkey must include Armenia in these projects, because
this is the only way to lasting peace," Speier said.
Jackie Speier will be sworn into office on April 10th and complete
the remainder of Rep. Lantos' term in the 110th Congress. She will
also participate in the upcoming June Congressional primary
election for the seat, and as the presumptive nominee, she is
expected to run in the November general election for the 111th
Congress, which will convene in January 2009.
#####
Photo Caption: Bay Area ANC activists join in election night
festivities celebrating Jackie Kanchelian Speier's April 8th
victory. Pictured with Representative-elect Speier (second from
left) are Armen Carapetian, Khatchig Tazian, Araxi and Joseph
Bezdjian and Matyous Senekeremian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
1711 N Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Tel. (202) 775-1918
Fax. (202) 775-5648
Email [email protected]
Internet www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 9, 2008
Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
Tel: (202) 775-1918
JACKIE KANCHELIAN SPEIER ELECTED TO U.S. CONGRESS
-- Armenian American to be sworn in April 10th to represent
California's 12th Congressional District
San Francisco, CA - Armenian American Jackie Kanchelian Speier
swept to a resounding victory last night, receiving close to 80% of
the vote in a special election in California's 12th Congressional
District, reported the Armenian National Committee of America
(ANCA.) Speier will be joining Rep. Anna Eshoo (CA-14) as the only
other Armenian American legislator in the 110th Congress.
"We are encouraged to see Jackie Speier, a tremendously talented
public servant and proud daughter of the Armenian people, elected
to represent the citizens of California's 12th Congressional
District," said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA.
"She comes to Washington with a proven track record of legislative
achievement in California, and we look forward to working with her
on issues of shared concern."
Speier won the special election on April 8th, which was scheduled
after Rep. Tom Lantos' untimely passing earlier this year when he
succumbed to esophageal cancer. In a field of five candidates,
Representative-elect Speier won an impressive 77.9% of the vote,
with the remaining candidates receiving less than 10% each.
San Francisco-Bay Area ANC activists played a significant role in
all facets of the Jackie Speier for Congress campaign. Armenian
Americans volunteered regularly in phone banking and other get-out-
the-vote efforts coordinated by the local ANC chapter. Through the
leadership of the Armenian National Committee Political Action
Committee (ANC-PAC), Armenian Americans from across the U.S., at
events and over the internet, raised funds for her election bid.
Speier has been active on Armenian American concerns throughout her
years in the California state legislature. During her tenure in
Sacramento, she authored 16 bills related to Armenian issues. In
1989, she advocated for the law mandating the Department of
Education to include instruction on the Armenian Genocide in public
schools. Every year thereafter, she co-sponsored the resolution
commemorating the Armenian Genocide, including the 2005 bill that
made the commemoration permanent law. In her final term, Speier
introduced a measure that allows Armenian Genocide victims or their
beneficiaries to file claims against banks doing business in
California that refuse to pay for deposited or looted assets of
Armenian Genocide victims.
"When I get elected to Congress, the epicenter of Armenian American
representation in Congress will be right here," said Speier, who
was a keynote speaker at this year's March 8th San Francisco Bay
Area ANC "Hai Tad" Evening along with Hamparian. She pledged to
continue the fight for justice for the Armenian Genocide and rally
support for Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, limiting aid to
Azerbaijan, until it lifts its blockade of Armenia and Nagorno
Karabagh. "Turkey cannot strangle Armenia into submission by
circumventing Armenia's territory in every regional infrastructure
project. Turkey must include Armenia in these projects, because
this is the only way to lasting peace," Speier said.
Jackie Speier will be sworn into office on April 10th and complete
the remainder of Rep. Lantos' term in the 110th Congress. She will
also participate in the upcoming June Congressional primary
election for the seat, and as the presumptive nominee, she is
expected to run in the November general election for the 111th
Congress, which will convene in January 2009.
#####
Photo Caption: Bay Area ANC activists join in election night
festivities celebrating Jackie Kanchelian Speier's April 8th
victory. Pictured with Representative-elect Speier (second from
left) are Armen Carapetian, Khatchig Tazian, Araxi and Joseph
Bezdjian and Matyous Senekeremian
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress