Armenian Assembly of America
1140 19th Street, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-393-3434
Fax: 202-638-4904
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PRESS RELEASE
April 9, 2008
Contact: Christine Kojoian
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (202) 393-3434
ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY CONGRATULATES JACKIE SPEIER ON ELECTION TO CONGRESS
Washington, DC – The Armenian Assembly of America today congratulated
former California State Senator Jackie Speier (D) on winning a special
election to fill the House seat of the late Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA),
avoiding a runoff in the contest to replace Lantos, who endorsed her
before his death in February. With her win on Tuesday, Speier now joins
fellow California lawmaker Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA), as the second
American of Armenian descent to serve in the 110th Congress.
"The Armenian Assembly congratulates Jackie Speier on her resounding
victory," said Assembly Board of Trustees Member Peter Kezirian, Jr. "As
the newest Armenian-American representative in Congress, she will be a
strong voice on behalf of her constituents and the Armenian-American
community. As a member of the California Legislature, she was known as a
dynamic and innovative legislator, and the Assembly is pleased she will
bring these talents to our nation’s capital."
During her tenure in the California Legislature, the Assembly worked
closely with Speier to advance Armenian issues in the state. In 2003,
she served as mistress of ceremonies for the Assembly’s National Gala in
Palm Desert, CA.
The daughter of a German immigrant and a first-generation
Armenian-American, Speier has authored over a dozen bills related to
Armenian issues during the course of her career in the California State
Legislature. She has spearheaded legislation to commemorate the Armenian
Genocide, and in 2005, she coauthored a bill to place the commemoration
into permanent law. Before leaving the State Senate, Speier introduced a
measure (SB 1524), which provides relief to California Armenian Genocide
victims, and their families, who are seeking legal action to recover
assets that were lost or stolen during the atrocities against the
Armenian people. California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the
measure into law in December 2006.
After announcing that he had been diagnosed with cancer in early
January, Lantos said that he would not seek reelection after concluding
his 14th term in Congress. As Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee,
Lantos supported adoption of H. Res. 106, which affirms the historical
truth of the Armenian Genocide. This resolution passed the House Foreign
Affairs Committee by a vote of 27 to 21.
"One of the problems we have diplomatically globally is that we have
lost our moral authority which we used to have in great abundance,"
Lantos said. "People around the globe who are familiar with these events
will appreciate the fact that the United States is speaking out against
a historic injustice. This would be like sweeping slavery under the rug
and saying slavery never occurred."
Lantos also supported an identical measure during the 109th Congress,
expressing strong concern over Turkey’s refusal in 2003 to provide U.S.
troops a northern front in the war against Iraq.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly is the largest
Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding
and awareness of Armenian issues. It is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
membership organization.
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Editor’s Note: Photographs can be viewed on the Assembly’s website at
the following links:
ges/PR_-_2008_April_-_May/Cali
fornia.jpg
Caption: In 2006, the Armenian Assembly joined Speier in welcoming a
bipartisan resolution in the CA State Legislature, celebrating the 15th
anniversary of Armenia’s independence. L to R, front row:
Representative of the Armenian Rights Council Daniel Aydenian, Assembly
Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, former Deputy Consul General of
the Republic of Armenia Harutyun Kojoyan and former California State
Senators Jackie Speier (D- San Mateo) and Jack Scott (D-Pasadena). Back
row: Executive Director of the Armenian Council of America Peter
Darakdjian, former California State Senator Charles Poochigian
(R-Fresno), former Assembly Board of Trustees Member and Western Office
Chairman Richard Mushegain and Vice Chair of the Armenian Council of
America Hagop Ajemian.