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Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region
104 North Belmont Street, Suite 200
Glendale, California 91206
Phone: 818.500.1918 Fax: 818.246.7353
ancawr@anca.org
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PRESS RELEASE
Thursday, September 22, 2005
Contact: Talin Gregorian
Tel: (818) 500-1918
2005 ANCA-WR ANNUAL BANQUET DRAWS OVER 600 FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL
OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
LOS ANGELES, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western
Region (ANCA-WR) played host to a maximum capacity number of guests at
its annual banquet held on Sunday, September 18, 2005 at the
Renaissance Hollywood Hotel. Over 600 supporters of the ANCA-WR
attended the annual banquet, including dozens of federal, state, and
local legislators, and community leaders. The event raised over
$200,000 to help the ANCA-WR advance issues of concern to the Armenian
American community. Banquet benefactors Khachik and Elo Mouradian were
joined by Frank and Houri Melkonian, Ashken Pilavjian, John and
Asdghik Bedrosian, and Sarkis and Noune Sepetjian in cosponsoring the
event.
The ANCA-WR presented California State Senator Jackie
Kanchelian-Speier (D-San Francisco/San Mateo) with the 2005 ANCA-WR
Woman of the Year Award and the ANCA’s own Elizabeth Chouldjian with
the 2005 ANCA-WR Vahan Cardashian Award for her dedication and
tenacity in advancing the Armenian Cause. Congressman George
Radanovich (R-CA), by video, joined Congressman Adam Schiff (D-29) in
praising the ANCA-WR’s efforts in helping the Armenian Genocide
resolutions pass through the House International Relations Committee
last week. Newly elected Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa gave
special remarks during the evening’s program where he expressed his
appreciation for the support that the ANCA-WR and the Armenian
American community have given him during his tenure as a
legislator. The Mayor also used the opportunity to announce
appointments of Armenian Americans to his administration.
In her acceptance speech, Senator Speier told the attendees about her
Armenian roots, reaffirmed her commitment to the Armenian American
community, and praised the ANCA for its activism within the American
political sphere. `The Armenian National Committee of America has gone
beyond the call of duty in pushing Congress to recognize the Armenian
Genocide, and I applaud them,’ said Senator Speier.
The ANCA-WR Annual Banquet is the largest event of its kind and helps
raise funds to operate the nation’s largest and most influential
Armenian American grassroots and political advocacy
organization. Through these funds, the ANCA-WR is able to educate the
general public about the Armenian Genocide, the Republic of Armenia,
Nagorno-Karabagh, and other vital issues of concern to the Armenian
American community.
`I’m inspired by your generosity, by your continued commitment to
support this organization to support this community’s voice in public
affairs and to continue to demand that we get the Armenian voice heard
by public officials, by policy makers, and law makers,’ said ANCA-WR
Board Chairman Steve Dadaian in his remarks that closed the evening’s
program.
The ANCA is the largest and most influential Armenian American
grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a
network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United
States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA
actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a
broad range of issues.
Editor’s Note: Photos attached. Photo 1 caption: From left to right –
Marina Manoukian with her husband and ANCA-WR board member Leonard
Manoukian speaking with Senator Jackie Kanchelian-Speier, who received
the 2005 ANCA-WR Woman of the Year Award. Photo 2 caption: From left
to right- 2005 ANCA-WR Annual Banquet Committee members Patrick
Azadian, Elizabeth Boyajian, Vicky Marashlian, Steven Dadaian (ANCA-WR
Board Chair), Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, Ara Bedrosian, Aida Dimejian
(Banquet Committee Chair), Alex Sardar (Banquet Master of Ceremonies),
Raffe Deirmenjian, and Sara Armaghanian. Arsho Beylerian, Jack
Hadjinian, and Vahe Melkonian, who were instrumental members of the
Banquet Committee, were not available for the photo.