Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) has launched the California State Assembly’s first Select Committee on California and Armenia Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange, creating a new forum to strengthen economic, educational, and cultural ties between California and Armenia.
By News Desk
Harabedian, the only Armenian American currently serving in the California Legislature, announced the new committee as California remains home to the nation’s largest Armenian American community.
The committee held its inaugural hearing today, featuring remarks from Anna Avetisyan, consul general of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles. Avetisyan highlighted the importance of strengthening the partnership between California and Armenia and the opportunities the committee could help create.
According to Harabedian, the committee will bring together business leaders, educators, artists, community organizations, and policymakers to identify ways the two regions can collaborate more closely. Areas of focus include expanding trade and investment, strengthening educational partnerships, and promoting Armenian art and culture.
“Long before this committee existed, California and Armenia were connected by the people who call both places home,” Harabedian said. “Hundreds of thousands of Armenian Americans call California home. They’ve built businesses, created jobs, strengthened our communities, and helped shape this state. This committee was created to build on that foundation and create new opportunities for the next generation.”
Harabedian said California is uniquely positioned to lead these efforts as the world’s fourth-largest economy and home to a thriving Armenian American community.
The committee plans to explore opportunities to expand trade and business partnerships between California and Armenia, encourage investment and innovation, strengthen educational and academic exchanges, promote Armenian art, culture, and tourism, and highlight the contributions of California’s Armenian American community.
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Direct link to this article: https://www.armenianclub.com/2026/08/06/pasadena-lawmaker-launches-first-assembly-committee-focused-on-california-arme/