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Armenian National Committee - 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
December 11, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian
ANCWR's Look Back at 2008
- Year of Firsts Sets Tone for Community Advocacy
LOS ANGELES - Over the course of the past year, the ANC-WR ushered in
new heights of progress and development in community efforts. A few
highlights of the year included record-breaking attendance for the
annual banquet, town hall meetings across the western United States,
the controversy surrounding Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch and the
further advancement of the ANC-WR Internship-Externship Program
(ANC-WR IEP).
Throughout most of the year, the Armenian American community eagerly
awaited the ANC-WR Annual Banquet. More than 1000 supporters gathered
on October 12, 2008 at this marquee event held at the Ronald Reagan
Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California to celebrate the
achievements of 2008. Public officials joined members of the community
in honoring Democratic Vice-President Elect Joseph Biden, Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, President Ronald Reagan and long time ANC
supporter Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian. Honorary chairs of the event
included Congressmen Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, Ed Royce,
Congresswoman Jackie Speier and several others.
During the course of the year the ANC-WR expanded its community
outreach and hosted town hall meetings throughout the western United
States; from Washington, to Oregon, to San Diego and several other
locales. ANC activists gathered to receive updates about various ANC
initiatives including House Resolution 106, the Senate hearings for
the newly appointed US Ambassador to Armenia, the US Presidential
Elections, congressional elections and various other issues. The
community learned more about how their local activism played a crucial
role and that their work has a vital, grassroots impact on the local
and national scene.
Most notably, the Annual Federal Issues Town Hall Briefing was held in
May in Los Angeles. This event focused on key developments in the
second session of the 110th Congress. The event featured
presentations by ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and prominent political
expert and National Politics Editor for Politico Charles Mahtesian.
One of the most noteworthy developments of 2008 occurred on March 28,
2008 when President Bush nominated Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch to serve
as America's next Ambassador to Armenia. President Bush's previous
nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Richard Hoagland, was subject
to two legislative holds by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) in
response to the nominee's statements denying the Armenian Genocide.
President Bush ultimately withdrew Hoagland's nomination in August
2007.
Initiated in the days leading up to the Senate confirmation hearing
for ambassador-designate Marie Yovanovitch, the AYF and ANCA launched
an innovative campaign using YouTube video messages to encourage U.S.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to ask President Bush's nominee frank
questions about the Armenian Genocide.
The ANC-WR helped support the ANCA in launching an online action
effort urging Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to
question Amb. Yovanovitch on issues including the Armenian Genocide as
well as Turkey and Azerbaijan's ongoing blockades of Armenia and the
U.S. role in finding a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict that respects the right to self-determination of the people
of Artsakh. The online effort was combined with a postcard campaign to
key Senate Foreign Relations Committee members, urging them to take
action.
In 2008, the ANC-WR welcomed fourteen interns and externs to its
program, the largest class to date. Students from all over California
participated in this challenging program which helps shape and develop
various skills that will prepare participants for success and
leadership in their careers. Established in June 2006, the ANC-WR IEP
is a selective and intensive program that provides student leaders and
activists with an opportunity to participate in a program designed to
provide an in-depth introduction to Armenian American issues as well
as advocacy efforts on the federal, state and local level.
Looking back, 2008 was a year full of education, community outreach
and activity for the ANC-WR. The success of the ANC-WR is owed to the
dedication of its activists and the Armenian American community.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to a fruitful 2009.
The Armenian National Committee--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 ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918
Fax: 818.246.7353
[email protected]
www.anca.org
PRESS RELEASE
December 11, 2008
Contact: Ani Garabedian
ANCWR's Look Back at 2008
- Year of Firsts Sets Tone for Community Advocacy
LOS ANGELES - Over the course of the past year, the ANC-WR ushered in
new heights of progress and development in community efforts. A few
highlights of the year included record-breaking attendance for the
annual banquet, town hall meetings across the western United States,
the controversy surrounding Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch and the
further advancement of the ANC-WR Internship-Externship Program
(ANC-WR IEP).
Throughout most of the year, the Armenian American community eagerly
awaited the ANC-WR Annual Banquet. More than 1000 supporters gathered
on October 12, 2008 at this marquee event held at the Ronald Reagan
Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California to celebrate the
achievements of 2008. Public officials joined members of the community
in honoring Democratic Vice-President Elect Joseph Biden, Los Angeles
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, President Ronald Reagan and long time ANC
supporter Mrs. Ashkhen Pilavjian. Honorary chairs of the event
included Congressmen Adam Schiff, George Radanovich, Ed Royce,
Congresswoman Jackie Speier and several others.
During the course of the year the ANC-WR expanded its community
outreach and hosted town hall meetings throughout the western United
States; from Washington, to Oregon, to San Diego and several other
locales. ANC activists gathered to receive updates about various ANC
initiatives including House Resolution 106, the Senate hearings for
the newly appointed US Ambassador to Armenia, the US Presidential
Elections, congressional elections and various other issues. The
community learned more about how their local activism played a crucial
role and that their work has a vital, grassroots impact on the local
and national scene.
Most notably, the Annual Federal Issues Town Hall Briefing was held in
May in Los Angeles. This event focused on key developments in the
second session of the 110th Congress. The event featured
presentations by ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and prominent political
expert and National Politics Editor for Politico Charles Mahtesian.
One of the most noteworthy developments of 2008 occurred on March 28,
2008 when President Bush nominated Amb. Marie L. Yovanovitch to serve
as America's next Ambassador to Armenia. President Bush's previous
nominee as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Richard Hoagland, was subject
to two legislative holds by U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) in
response to the nominee's statements denying the Armenian Genocide.
President Bush ultimately withdrew Hoagland's nomination in August
2007.
Initiated in the days leading up to the Senate confirmation hearing
for ambassador-designate Marie Yovanovitch, the AYF and ANCA launched
an innovative campaign using YouTube video messages to encourage U.S.
Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) to ask President Bush's nominee frank
questions about the Armenian Genocide.
The ANC-WR helped support the ANCA in launching an online action
effort urging Members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to
question Amb. Yovanovitch on issues including the Armenian Genocide as
well as Turkey and Azerbaijan's ongoing blockades of Armenia and the
U.S. role in finding a peaceful resolution to the Nagorno-Karabakh
conflict that respects the right to self-determination of the people
of Artsakh. The online effort was combined with a postcard campaign to
key Senate Foreign Relations Committee members, urging them to take
action.
In 2008, the ANC-WR welcomed fourteen interns and externs to its
program, the largest class to date. Students from all over California
participated in this challenging program which helps shape and develop
various skills that will prepare participants for success and
leadership in their careers. Established in June 2006, the ANC-WR IEP
is a selective and intensive program that provides student leaders and
activists with an opportunity to participate in a program designed to
provide an in-depth introduction to Armenian American issues as well
as advocacy efforts on the federal, state and local level.
Looking back, 2008 was a year full of education, community outreach
and activity for the ANC-WR. The success of the ANC-WR is owed to the
dedication of its activists and the Armenian American community.
Thank you for your support and we look forward to a fruitful 2009.
The Armenian National Committee--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 ANC-WR advances
the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of
issues.