Armenian National Committee of Hollywood
1611 North Kenmore Avenue
Hollywood, California 90027
PRESS RELEASE
July 17, 2009
Contact: Thora Giallouri
ANC HOLLYWOOD HOSTS SUMMER FORUM ON 2010 CENSUS FOR LITTLE ARMENIA
HOLLYWOOD , CA — Kicking off a round of upcoming summer activities, the
Armenian National Committee of Hollywood (ANC Hollywood) hosted a summer
Community Issues Briefing to raise awareness about the 2010 US Census within
the Little Armenia community and provide an update on Armenian American
issues at the federal, state, and local levels. The event was held at
Karapetian Hall at Saint Garabed Armenian Church on Thursday, July 16th.
Joined by representatives from the US Census Bureau including featured
speaker and Partnership Specialist, Anahit Tovmasyan, the event drew over
fifty local area residents many of them being high school and college
students.
"It was great having an Armenian specialist from the Census Bureau explain
the importance of next year’s census to Armenian-Americans and how it can
affect our lives" remarked Paul Seradarian, ANC Hollywood Executive
Committee member and one of the organizers of the evening’s event.
Tovmasyan explained how government funds are allocated every year on the
basis of demographic data. This includes public school, public service,
public safety, and other public budgets. She noted that while Armenian is
not noted on an ethnicity on the current US Census form, Armenian-Americans
can still stand up and be counted. While most Armenian Americans identify
as Caucasian or `White’, there is a secondary question within the section
asking for `Some other race – print race’ in which individuals can mark
`Armenian’ in addition to the initial identification of `White’ or other
race/ethnicity that they may choose.. While Armenian is an ethnicity and
not a race, this is the option currently available for the Armenian American
community to identify themselves as such on the upcoming US Census.
"If Armenian Americans make their voices heard through this simple step, we
help ensure that our communities receive the respect and services they are
due as contributing members of the communities in which they live," noted
Tovmasyan.
Tovmasyan explained that the US Census Bureau is partnering with community
organizations to help raise awareness about the Census before 2010 to help
make sure that everyone fills out the form and reduces the need for costly
follow up efforts which would come at the taxpayers’ expense. She also
discussed job opportunities with the US Census Bureau as the government is
building its staff to help drive the educational and data collection effort.
Tovmasyan was accompanied by colleagues from the US Census Bureau who
helped her address audience questions.
The event was opened by Christine Semerdjian, a member of the ANC Hollywood
Executive Committee who welcomed the community and discussed the ANC
Hollywood’s recent activities including participation in this past May’s
Armenian Independence Day festival on Hollywood Boulevard, and last week’s
official unveiling of the Little Armenia freeway sign hosted by California
State Assembly Member and Hollywood area representative, Kevin de Leon.
She was followed by Haig Hovsepian, Community Relations Director with the
ANC Western Region, who updated the community about the recent developments
with the Artsakh peace process, US recognition of the Armenian Genocide and
its decoupling from Armenia-Turkey relations, and the foreign aid budget for
Armenia and Azerbaijan for the upcoming 2010 fiscal year.
`I am really glad that I attended this very informational event. After
learning about how the Census could affect Armenian Americans, I realized I
have to be an active member of my community and inform others of the
importance of it. I definitely look forward to attending other meetings
like today’s because they open my eyes to what goes on in my community and
Armenia itself,’ said Tsovinar Karapetian, a senior at Francisco Bravo
Medical Magnet High School who attended the briefing.
Seradarian delivered the closing remarks of the evening and encouraged those
in attendance to stay involved with the ANC Hollywood. He noted that the
ANC Hollywood would be joining the Thai Community Development Center next
week on July 25th for its annual community fair. The day-long event is held
each year and features community and social service organizations who work
with the Hollywood community. ANC Hollywood supporters will be attending to
help with the day’s event andtranslation needs. The event will be held at
the corner of Western and Hollywood on the Metro plaza.
"The reinvigorated ANC Hollywood team is happy to have veteran community
activists mentoring our newer members as we work together to do our best to
secure the rights of Armenian Americans and promote their civic engagement
in this community," remarked Elli Menounou, a member of the ANC Hollywood
Executive Committee Member in charge of community relations.
The ANC of Hollywood promotes greater understanding of issues of concern to
the area’s Armenian American community and strives to increase Armenian
American civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels.
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From: Baghdasarian