Urge Calif. Senators to Pass Artsakh Self-Determination Measure

Friday, August 15th, 2014

Urge Calif. Senators to vote of Artsakh self-determination

BY ELEN ASATRYAN

On May 8, the California State Assembly passed AJR32 by a nearly
unanimous vote of 72 to 1.

The resolution, introduced by Assemblyman Mike Gatto of the 43rd
District, expressed California’s solidarity with the people of
Nagorno-Karabakh in their quest for self-determination and
independence.

After passing in the Assembly, AJR32 has now gone to the State Senate
where it will first be voted upon in the Rules Committee and then on
the full Senate floor.

Consideration of AJR32 comes at a time of leadership transition in the
California Senate. Current Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg is working
closely with his incoming successor, Senate Pro Tem-elect Kevin De
Leon, who represents a large Armenian-American constituency and who
has been a vocal and unwavering advocate for issues of importance to
our community.

Senate Pro Tem Steinberg also represents a sizable Armenian-American
constituency consisting mostly of refugees from the pogroms of Baku
and Sumgait in Azerbaijan.

With less than one week left during which the Senate can act on AJR32,
the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region placed an
action alert out calling on CA Senate President Pro Tem Darrell
Steinberg to move the resolution forward and support Artsakh’s Right
to self-determination. The action alert can be found atancawr.org

With community-wide calls for passage, will Senator De Leon continue
to be a hero in our community? Will Senator Steinberg heed the calls
of his constituents who were direct victims of Azeri aggression? We
certainly hope so as we urge both Senate leaders to immediately pass
AJR32.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress