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ANCA WELCOMES 111TH CONGRESS
armradio.am
08.01.2009 19:40
As Armenians around the world celebrated Christmas, Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) staff and activists spread good cheer on
Capitol Hill, participating in the Congressional swearing-in ceremony
kicking off the 111th Congress.
"With a new Congress beginning its legislative session, it was a
great day to be on Capitol Hill, to reconnect with seasoned supporters
and to meet with Members of the freshman class," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. "In the upcoming weeks, we look forward to
expanding on these meetings here in Washington, DC and around the
country as we pursue a proactive agenda in 2009."
ANCA Legislative Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian, Legislative Team
Member Garo Manjikian and activists from California, Rhode Island,
Michigan, Nevada and New Jersey spoke with a range of Senators and
Representatives on the upcoming legislative agenda - focusing on
Armenian Genocide reaffirmation efforts, self-determination for Nagorno
Karabagh and efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship.
In all, the ANCA team met with elected officials and staff from over
25 Congressional offices including Assistant Senate Majority Leader
Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA),
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), as well as House
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Democratic Congressional20Campaign
Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and a
range of freshman Representatives including Duncan Hunter (R-CA),
Jared Polis (D-CO), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Paul Tonko (D-NY).
In total, 94% of ANCA endorsed candidates were elected to the 111th
Congress, with 201 of 211 securing decisive wins in the November 2008
elections. Among those winning in tight House races, with Armenian
American support, were Armenian Genocide Resolution supporters Mike
McCaul (R-TX), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), Tim
Walz (D-MD) and Florida Representatives Lincoln Diaz Balart (R-FL),
Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL) and Ron Klein (D-FL). Armenian American
Congresswomen Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) won their
reelection bids overwhelming with 70% and 75% respectively. ANC OH
chairman Dave Krikorian (OH-2) garnered an impressive 18% in his
independent Congressional bid, laying a solid foundation for future
electoral campaigns.
In the Senate, 12 of 15 ANCA endorsed candidates won their election
bids, including Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor Richard
Durbin (D-IL), John Kerry (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Frank Lautenberg
(D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-MI) as well as Mark Udall (D-CO) and Tom Udall
(D-NM), who moved from the House to the Senate.
armradio.am
08.01.2009 19:40
As Armenians around the world celebrated Christmas, Armenian National
Committee of America (ANCA) staff and activists spread good cheer on
Capitol Hill, participating in the Congressional swearing-in ceremony
kicking off the 111th Congress.
"With a new Congress beginning its legislative session, it was a
great day to be on Capitol Hill, to reconnect with seasoned supporters
and to meet with Members of the freshman class," said ANCA Executive
Director Aram Hamparian. "In the upcoming weeks, we look forward to
expanding on these meetings here in Washington, DC and around the
country as we pursue a proactive agenda in 2009."
ANCA Legislative Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian, Legislative Team
Member Garo Manjikian and activists from California, Rhode Island,
Michigan, Nevada and New Jersey spoke with a range of Senators and
Representatives on the upcoming legislative agenda - focusing on
Armenian Genocide reaffirmation efforts, self-determination for Nagorno
Karabagh and efforts to strengthen the U.S.-Armenia relationship.
In all, the ANCA team met with elected officials and staff from over
25 Congressional offices including Assistant Senate Majority Leader
Dick Durbin (D-IL), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA),
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), as well as House
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Democratic Congressional20Campaign
Committee Chairman Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Congressional Armenian
Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) and a
range of freshman Representatives including Duncan Hunter (R-CA),
Jared Polis (D-CO), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Paul Tonko (D-NY).
In total, 94% of ANCA endorsed candidates were elected to the 111th
Congress, with 201 of 211 securing decisive wins in the November 2008
elections. Among those winning in tight House races, with Armenian
American support, were Armenian Genocide Resolution supporters Mike
McCaul (R-TX), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ), Tim
Walz (D-MD) and Florida Representatives Lincoln Diaz Balart (R-FL),
Mario Diaz Balart (R-FL) and Ron Klein (D-FL). Armenian American
Congresswomen Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA) won their
reelection bids overwhelming with 70% and 75% respectively. ANC OH
chairman Dave Krikorian (OH-2) garnered an impressive 18% in his
independent Congressional bid, laying a solid foundation for future
electoral campaigns.
In the Senate, 12 of 15 ANCA endorsed candidates won their election
bids, including Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor Richard
Durbin (D-IL), John Kerry (D-MA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Frank Lautenberg
(D-NJ), Carl Levin (D-MI) as well as Mark Udall (D-CO) and Tom Udall
(D-NM), who moved from the House to the Senate.