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Schiff, Garcetti Speak at ANCA Obama Endorsement Press Conference

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  • Schiff, Garcetti Speak at ANCA Obama Endorsement Press Conference

    Armenian National Committee of America
    1711 N Street, NW
    Washington, DC 20036
    Tel. (202) 775-1918
    Fax. (202) 775-5648
    [email protected]
    Internet www.anca.org

    PRESS RELEASE
    January 31, 2008

    Contact: Elizabeth S. Chouldjian
    Tel: (202) 775-1918


    REP. SCHIFF AND COUNCILMAN GARCETTI JOIN ARMENIAN AMERICAN
    COMMUNITY LEADERS AT ANCA PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCING OBAMA
    ENDORSEMENT

    "Today, we endorse an individual, a senator, a leader - a purveyor of
    hope - who can change the tone, tenor, and policies in Washington,
    DC. We, as an organization, believe that Barack Obama is the
    individual to get this job done." - ANCA National Board Member
    Raffi Hamparian

    Glendale, CA - Some fifty reporters and community leaders gathered
    at the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Western Region
    headquarters yesterday for a press conference announcing the ANCA
    endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama in the Democratic Presidential
    primary.

    Speakers at the press conference included Obama supporters, Rep.
    Adam Schiff (D-CA, 29th district), Los Angeles City Council
    President Eric Garcetti, ANCA National Board member Raffi Hamparian
    and Armenians for Obama Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian. Each outlined
    Sen. Obama's proven record and commitment to bringing about
    meaningful change in U.S. governance and commitment to Armenian
    American concerns.

    "Today, we endorse an individual, a senator, a leader - a purveyor of
    hope - who can change the tone, tenor, and policies in Washington,
    DC. We, as an organization, believe that Barack Obama is the
    individual to get this job done," explained ANCA National Board
    Member Raffi Hamparian. Hovsepian concurred noting that, "Barack
    Obama, on the key issues of importance to our community, has
    adopted very favorable positions. Whether it is recognition of the
    Armenian Genocide, aid to Armenia, or self-determination and
    independence for Karabagh, on all of these issues, Barack Obama is
    with us."

    Hamparian and Hovsepian went on to cite Sen. Obama's strong
    statement on U.S.-Armenia relations, issued on January 19th, where
    he outlined his strong support for the passage of the Armenian
    Genocide Resolution currently before Congress and his commitment to
    promoting Armenia's security "by seeking an end to the Turkish and
    Azerbaijani blockades."

    House Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor, Rep. Adam Schiff
    (D-CA), noting that successive U.S. presidents have reneged on
    campaign pledges to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide,
    stated "I think we have in Senator Obama a person of impeccable
    principle. I am confident that the commitments he makes are the
    commitments he keeps." In his January 19th statement, Sen. Obama
    had stated, "As a senator, I strongly support passage of the
    Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as
    President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide."

    Councilman Garcetti echoed these sentiments, noting that, "His
    [Sen. Obama's] principles are not just ones that he trots out when
    it's convenient. It's very easy for someone to say pro-Armenian
    things in front of an Armenian group, but he [Obama] went to
    Azerbaijan, where, in Azerbaijan, he said that it was time to end
    the blockades; and there he also said it was time for Turks to
    recognize the Genocide. It speaks volumes about the sort of leader
    he will be, the sort of diplomat he will be, and the sort of
    president he will be."

    The complete press conference will be available on the ANCA
    Website and YouTube.

    In addition to Rep. Schiff and Councilman Garcetti, Sen. Obama has
    support from a broad range of Congressional Democrats including
    Senate Armenian Genocide resolution lead sponsor, Deputy Majority
    Leader Dick Durbin (IL) as well as Senators Kent Conrad (ND), Tim
    Johnson (SD), Edward Kennedy (MA), John Kerry (MA), Patrick Leahy
    (VT), Claire McCaskill (MO), and Ben Nelson (NE); as well as
    Representatives Neil Abercrombie (HI), Xavier Becerra (CA), G.K.
    Butterfield (NC), William Lacy Clay (MO), John Conyers (MI), Jim
    Cooper (TN), Jerry Costello (IL), Artur Davis (AL), Danny Davis
    (IL), Keith Ellison (MN), Del. Eni Faleomavaega (AS), Chaka Fattah
    (PA), Al Green (TX), Luis Gutierrez (IL), Phil Hare (IL), Paul
    Hodes (NH), Jesse Jackson Jr. (IL), Patrick Kennedy (RI), Barbara
    Lee (CA), Dave Loebsack (IA) , Zoe Lofgren (CA), Betty McCollum
    (MN), George Miller (CA), Gwen Moore (WI), Patrick Murphy (PA), Ed
    Perlmutter (CO), Steven Rothman (NJ), Bobby Rush (IL) , Linda
    Sánchez (CA), Jan Schakowsky (IL), Bobby Scott (VA), Bennie
    Thompson (MS), Peter Welch (VT), and Albert Wynn (MD).

    Sen. Obama's complete statement on U.S.-Armenia relations is
    available on the official campaign website at:
    http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_o bama_on_the_importanc
    e.php

    The Armenians for Obama site -- www.armeniansforobama.com -- will
    be up shortly. In the interim, individuals interested in
    volunteering or receiving more information, can email
    [email protected].

    For complete information regarding the ANCA endorsement of Sen.
    Obama in the Democratic primary, visit:

    http://www.anca.org/press_releases/press_r eleases.php?prid=3D1372

    #####
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