ANCA backs Daylin Leach in Pennsylvania congressional primary
September 28, 2013 - 12:00 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
announced its endorsement of long time Armenian American community
supporter and State Senate champion Daylin Leach in his primary bid to
succeed Representative Allyson Schwartz in Pennsylvania's 13th
Congressional district.
"Senator Leach has been an outspoken supporter of U.S. reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide, spearheading successive Pennsylvania House
and Senate resolutions raising awareness of the need to recognize and
condemn this crime," stated Pennsylvania activist and ANCA leader Nora
Kzirian. "We're proud to stand with Senator Leach as he seeks to bring
his principled leadership to the Halls of Congress."
"When I married into an Armenian family I was quickly captivated by
the rich cultural and culinary Armenian traditions," noted Senator
Leach, a Jewish American. "But more than that, I learned of the tragic
genocide inflicted on the Armenian people in the early part of the
last century. My people have also experienced genocide. I know how
important it is for the world to acknowledge the truth, and swore to
make it my life's mission to ensure that this happened for the
Armenian people."
State Senator Daylin Leach was first elected to the Pennsylvania State
House in 2002 and later to the State Senate in 2008. Throughout his
career in elected office, he has been author and prime sponsor of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution in the Pennsylvania. "Revisionists still
inexplicably deny the existence of these horrific events, and modern
Turkey continues to distort the facts surrounding the genocide. By
consistently remembering and openly condemning the atrocities
committed against the Armenians, Pennsylvanians affirm the need for
constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future,' Leach
explained to his colleagues on the Senate floor when introducing the
resolution in 2009.
In May, 2012, Sen. Leach hosted students from the Armenian Sisters
Academy at the Capitol Building in Harrisburg for "Armenian Awareness
Day," which included a dance performance, cultural exhibit and press
conference. "I appreciate the support from members of the Armenian
community who work tirelessly to preserve the rich history of their
culture and share it with others. I hope that everyone who attended
today's event had fun and, more importantly, learned something along
the way,' Leach told attendees at the press conference.
Sen. Leach, whose wife, Jennifer, is of Armenian descent, has been
active in Pennsylvania Armenian community life, often participating in
the annual Armenian Genocide Walk and recently serving as keynote
Speaker at the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) annual
dinner. He was among honored guests at the May 18th International
House of Philadelphia global gala in celebration of the rich cultural
traditions and achievements of the Armenian people around the world.
Sen. Leach's father-in-law, Dr. Robert Mirak, is the author of "Torn
Between Two Lands: Armenians in America 1890 to World War I," the
story of the Armenian immigrant experience in America prior to WWI,
and the Armenian entry in the "Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic
Groups."
Jennifer and the Mirak family are directors of the John Mirak
Foundation which supports numerous Armenian causes in America and
abroad including the Armenia Tree Project; Avedisian School in
Yerevan; Armenian Eye Care Project; Zoryan Institute; Armenian
Heritage Park in Boston, MA; St. Steven's Armenian School, Watertown,
MA; and St. James Church in Watertown, MA.
Leach is running in the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania's 13th
Congressional District to replace Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, a
supporter of Armenian American issues, who is running for Governor.
The district includes Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County,
both Armenian American strongholds in the state. The primary is
scheduled for May 20, 2014.
September 28, 2013 - 12:00 AMT
PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)
announced its endorsement of long time Armenian American community
supporter and State Senate champion Daylin Leach in his primary bid to
succeed Representative Allyson Schwartz in Pennsylvania's 13th
Congressional district.
"Senator Leach has been an outspoken supporter of U.S. reaffirmation
of the Armenian Genocide, spearheading successive Pennsylvania House
and Senate resolutions raising awareness of the need to recognize and
condemn this crime," stated Pennsylvania activist and ANCA leader Nora
Kzirian. "We're proud to stand with Senator Leach as he seeks to bring
his principled leadership to the Halls of Congress."
"When I married into an Armenian family I was quickly captivated by
the rich cultural and culinary Armenian traditions," noted Senator
Leach, a Jewish American. "But more than that, I learned of the tragic
genocide inflicted on the Armenian people in the early part of the
last century. My people have also experienced genocide. I know how
important it is for the world to acknowledge the truth, and swore to
make it my life's mission to ensure that this happened for the
Armenian people."
State Senator Daylin Leach was first elected to the Pennsylvania State
House in 2002 and later to the State Senate in 2008. Throughout his
career in elected office, he has been author and prime sponsor of the
Armenian Genocide Resolution in the Pennsylvania. "Revisionists still
inexplicably deny the existence of these horrific events, and modern
Turkey continues to distort the facts surrounding the genocide. By
consistently remembering and openly condemning the atrocities
committed against the Armenians, Pennsylvanians affirm the need for
constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future,' Leach
explained to his colleagues on the Senate floor when introducing the
resolution in 2009.
In May, 2012, Sen. Leach hosted students from the Armenian Sisters
Academy at the Capitol Building in Harrisburg for "Armenian Awareness
Day," which included a dance performance, cultural exhibit and press
conference. "I appreciate the support from members of the Armenian
community who work tirelessly to preserve the rich history of their
culture and share it with others. I hope that everyone who attended
today's event had fun and, more importantly, learned something along
the way,' Leach told attendees at the press conference.
Sen. Leach, whose wife, Jennifer, is of Armenian descent, has been
active in Pennsylvania Armenian community life, often participating in
the annual Armenian Genocide Walk and recently serving as keynote
Speaker at the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) annual
dinner. He was among honored guests at the May 18th International
House of Philadelphia global gala in celebration of the rich cultural
traditions and achievements of the Armenian people around the world.
Sen. Leach's father-in-law, Dr. Robert Mirak, is the author of "Torn
Between Two Lands: Armenians in America 1890 to World War I," the
story of the Armenian immigrant experience in America prior to WWI,
and the Armenian entry in the "Harvard Encyclopedia of American Ethnic
Groups."
Jennifer and the Mirak family are directors of the John Mirak
Foundation which supports numerous Armenian causes in America and
abroad including the Armenia Tree Project; Avedisian School in
Yerevan; Armenian Eye Care Project; Zoryan Institute; Armenian
Heritage Park in Boston, MA; St. Steven's Armenian School, Watertown,
MA; and St. James Church in Watertown, MA.
Leach is running in the Democratic primary in Pennsylvania's 13th
Congressional District to replace Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, a
supporter of Armenian American issues, who is running for Governor.
The district includes Northeast Philadelphia and Montgomery County,
both Armenian American strongholds in the state. The primary is
scheduled for May 20, 2014.