Armenpac Hosts Major Community Event in Michigan

PRESS RELEASE
ARMENPAC, The Armenian-American Political Action Committee
421 E. Airport Freeway, Suite 201
Irving, Texas 75220
Contact: Jason P. Capizzi, Esq.
Tel: (972) 635-5347
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: <; ARMENPAC HOSTS MAJOR COMMUNITY EVENT IN MICHIGAN Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Knollenberg and Assistant Majority Whip McCotter Attend Irving, TX - ARMENPAC, along with over 80 new members from the Michigan Armenian-American community, gathered last week to recognize the Michigan Congressional Delegation's steadfast support of Armenian-American issues. Congressmen Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI), as well as a representative of Congressman Sander Levin (D-MI), attended the event in Northville, Michigan; although a scheduling conflict prevented Congressman Joe Schwarz (R-MI) from participating, a letter was read on his behalf which expressed the Congressman's committed support of our community. ARMENPAC Co-Chair Edgar Hagopian welcomed and thanked the Congressmen and community activists alike for their "devotion and support of Armenian-American issues." ARMENPAC hosted this event to provide our elected officials in Washington, D.C. and local community members the opportunity to directly discuss Armenian-American issues. Congressman Joe Knollenberg, who is a Co-Chair of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, began the evening by updating the group on current legislative initiatives pending in Congress that relate to Armenia; namely the Affirmation of the United States Record on the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.316) and The South Caucasus Integration and Open Railroads Act of 2005 (H.R.3361). "I am hopeful that these initiatives will eventually succeed, as Turkey is facing increasing pressure from various sources to recognize the Armenian Genocide and maintain good relations with Armenia should it wish to be accepted into the European Union," said Congressman Knollenberg. H.Res.316 calls upon the President: 1.) to ensure that United States foreign policy reflects appropriate understanding and sensitivity concerning issues related to human rights, ethnic cleansing, and genocide documented in the United States record relating to the Armenian Genocide and the consequences of the failure to realize a just resolution; and 2.) in the President's annual message commemorating the Armenian Genocide to characterize the systematic and deliberate annihilation of 1.5 million Armenians as genocide, and to recall the proud history of United States intervention in opposition to the Armenian Genocide. H.R.3361 prohibits United States Assistance to develop or promote rail connections or railway-related connections that do not traverse or connect with Armenia, and do traverse or connect Baku, Azerbaijan; Tbilisi, Georgia; and Kars, Turkey. "ARMENPAC thanks both Congressmen for their distinguished leadership on behalf of our community, and for their participation in this event," said ARMENPAC Co-Chair Edgar Hagopian. "Our community must continually engage our elected officials in similar dialogues, independent of such events, regarding those issues that are important to us in order to ensure that our concerns will be adequately represented in Congress. We are privileged and very appreciative of our elected officials' attention and commitment to our community, especially Congressmen Knollenberg and McCotter, who were determined to attend this event despite the bad weather in Washington, D.C." "It was a tremendous opportunity to attend and witness in person the grassroots power of the Armenian Community," said Congressman Thaddeus McCotter. At the end of the evening, ARMENPAC presented each Congressperson with a plaque, engraved with William Saroyan's famous verse regarding the resilience of Armenians, for display in their office. ARMENPAC is an independent, bipartisan political action committee established to shape public policy by raising awareness of, and advocating for, Armenian-American issues. ARMENPAC provides financial support to federal officeholders, candidates, political action committees and organizations that actively support issues of importance to Armenian-Americans. For more information and how to join ARMENPAC, please visit ###