Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
Email: [email protected]
Web:
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2006
CONTACT: Christine Kojoian
E-mail: [email protected]
ARMENIAN CAUCUS REPS. PELOSI & HOYER ELECTED TO
DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP POSTS
House Republicans Also Select Leaders
Washington, DC – House Democrats and Republicans followed the Senate
this week in selecting their leadership for the next Congress.
Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was unanimously
selected as House Speaker while her Caucus colleague, Rep. Steny Hoyer
(D-MD), was elected Majority Leader.
Pelosi and Hoyer, both cosponsors of pending legislation (H. Res. 316)
to reaffirm the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide, will be the
first Caucus Members to serve in those positions when Congress convenes
in January.
"We congratulate the new leadership team for the upcoming Congress,"
said Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah,
who has had a longstanding working relationship with Pelosi and Hoyer.
"Representatives Pelosi and Hoyer have been steadfast in their support
of Armenian issues, and the Assembly looks forward to working with
them in their new leadership roles to advance issues of concern to
the Armenian-American community."
On the Republican side, Ohio Congressman John Boehner was elected
Minority Leader, while Congressman Roy Blunt (R-MO) will keep his
position as Whip. The lawmakers are not cosponsors of H. Res. 316 or
H. R.3361, a bill that would bar assistance for a railroad bypass
of Armenia. However, Armenian Caucus Member Rep. Thaddeus McCotter
(R-MI), a cosponsor of the Genocide resolution and rail bill, was
elected as the Republican Policy Committee Chairmanship, while fellow
Caucus Member Eric Cantor (R-VA) was chosen as Chief Deputy Whip.
"The incoming leadership provides new opportunities on Armenian issues
from affirmation of the Armenian Genocide to economic development,"
said Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny. "We look forward to
working to ensure a secure, prosperous and democratic Armenia."
The Armenian Assembly is the largest Washington-based nationwide
organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian
issue. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
####
NR#2006-101
Photograph available on the Assembly’s Web site at the following link:
/2006-101-1.JPG
Caption: Newly-elected House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) with
Assembly Board of Trustees Executive Committee Member Annie Totah at
the Assembly’s National Conference and Banquet in March 2006.