Category: 2019

GLENDALE—A capacity crowd of over 450 gathered at the Stars on Brand theater to mark the 2019 Armenian Influencer Awards. Held on June 2, the event was organized by Ara Kazaryan and Mher Baghdasaryan of the Armenian Entertainment Group. Over a dozen individuals representing the media, entertainment, politics, and business industries were honored at the event. ANCA-WR Chairperson Nora Hovsepian, Esq. received the special “Advocate for Justice” award in recognition of her lifelong involvement in Hye Tad, and leadership of the organization in the past 7 years effectively advancing the interests and policy priorities of the Armenian American community.

Introducing the award, co-host Ara Kazaryan praised the ANCA, stating “There are many community-based organizations that undertake important work, but there is one in particular that is the dearest to my heart. It is an organization that has been active for decades and works 24/7 all year round, both here and throughout the world, to advance the Armenian Cause. It is a great honor to share this stage with the Chairperson of the ANCA-WR, Nora Hovsepian, and present her with the special ‘Advocate for Justice’ award.”

“It is so important that we have a strong grassroots advocacy organization called the Armenian National Committee of America to hold our politicians accountable and keep our people informed,” continued co-host Nona Melkonian.

“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of the ANCA-Western Region,” remarked Hovsepian. “This award is a testament to the thousands of activists and volunteers who work ever so tirelessly, day in and day out, to advance the Armenian Cause. We need all hands on deck and I call on everyone to use the influence that they have for the betterment of our community and of our homeland.”

In her speech, Hovsepian also recounted the many instances of collaboration with Glendale City Councilmember Zareh Sinanyan and State Senator Anthony Portantino thanking them for their support and assistance all these years. Both Sinanyan, who was also among this year’s award recipients, and Portantino, who presented one of the awards, spoke highly of the ANCA-WR’s work, and stressed the importance of grassroots advocacy in their remarks.

ANCA-Western Region’s Joseph Kaskanian and Armen Sahakyan presented the 2019 “Most Influential Reporter” award to Ellina Abovian of KTLA 5 News.

In presenting the award, Kaskanian particularly noted, “From placing dozens of students and recent graduates every year into our internship and fellowship programs in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Washington, DC to organizing special workshops and our flagship Grassroots Conference for the community at-large, the ANCA-Western Region recognizes the importance of empowering our people and preparing the next generation of our Nation’s leaders in all spheres of the society.”

“The media and journalism industries are no exception. Today, more than ever, we are in need of objective and timely coverage of important issues, including ones concerning the Armenian-Americans. The ANCA, for decades, has not only been on the forefront of advancing our community’s interests, but also defending against defamation and anti-Armenianism,” added Sahakyan.

Influencer awards were also presented to Hrush Achemyan, Araksya Karapetyan, Ellina Abovian, Gary Madatyan, Jill Simonian, Andre Panossian, MD, Michael Aram, Paul Karmiryan, Peggy Sulahian, George & Jack Keshishyan, R-Mean, Roman Mitichyan, Sona Van, and Vicken Sepilian, MD.

The Armenian National Committee of America–Western Region is the largest and most influential nonpartisan Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues in pursuit of the Armenian Cause.

The head coach of Armenia’s National Soccer Team, Armen Gyulbudaghyants, said that Tuesday’s 3 to 2 victory over the Greek National team in the Euro 2020 qualifier was “tough.”

“The boys did a great job, they played in a disciplined manner,” he told reporters during a post-match press conference. He said the team “lost focus only in a single moment.”

“This was a very difficult victory for us,” added Gyulbudaghyants, who added that during these types of matches what matters is the mood, setting and the desire to win.

In fact it was not all rivalry during Tuesday’s match. Armenia’s National team captain Henrikh Mikhitaryan was seen warmly greeting and embracing the captain of the Greek team, Sokratis Papastathopoulos. After all, the two also are teammates at Aresenal.

Armenians had traveled from all over Europe to attend the match and cheer for Armenia’s National team.

“Many thanks to our fans. We felt your support,” Gyulbudaghyants said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also congratulated the Armenian National Football Team for its stunning victory against Greece on Tuesday.

“Six goals and two victories in two matches. This is getting serious. Congratulations to the Armenian National Football Team, with expectations of a heated matches in the fall,” said Pashinyan .

The Pan-Armenian Games torch was lit during a ceremony held at the Holy Mother of God Armenian Church in Vakif, a village on the foothills of Mousa Ler in modern-day Turkey and what is historically part of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia.

The torch was lit by Pan-Armenian Games co-founder Armenian-American philanthropist Albert Boyajyan using a candle from the historic Armenian Church.

Pan-Armenian Games World Committee Vice President Roland Sharoyan said the ceremony symbolizes the unity of the Armenian nation, wherever they might be.

The flame was then taken to the summit of Musa Ler, and will find its way all the way to Artsakh, where the opening ceremony of the 7th Pan-Armenian Games, which will take place in Stepanakert on August 6.

The delegation arrived in Turkey via the recently launched Yerevan-Van direct flight.

Engages with House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman during Colloquy on the Floor of the U.S. House

WASHINGTON—Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ) took to the U.S. House floor Wednesday for a dialogue with House Appropriations Committee Chairwoman Nita Lowey (D-NY) in support of his legislative efforts – via the U.S.-Artsakh Travel and Communication Resolution (H.Res.190) – to end arbitrary and outdated State Department restrictions on U.S. engagement with the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh), reported the Armenian National Committee of America.

“We must remain committed to strengthening the ceasefire in Nagorno-Karabakh, removing barriers to dialogue, and resolving status and security issues that have hindered discussions in the past,” said Rep. Pallone. “Allowing direct and open dialogue and allowing our diplomats to have a presence on the ground as necessary and when safe is the only way for the United States to help bring this conflict to a resolution.”

As part of the colloquy (a scripted exchange between legislators) Chairwoman Lowey committed to work with Congressman Pallone on this matter.

“We want to thank Congressman Pallone for his principled leadership in breaking down artificial barriers to the direct and open dialogue among all stakeholders that surely represent our best hope for a durable and democratic Artsakh peace,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “It’s time to give diplomacy a chance, to promote broad-based government-to-government engagement, and to deepen civil society contact and communication at all levels. It’s time to pass H.Res.190.”

Late last week, Rep. Pallone had filed a proposed amendment to the FY2020 foreign aid bill stating: “none of the funds made available in this Act may be used to enforce U.S. government restrictions or prohibitions on visits, travel, contacts, or communications with Nagorno Karabakh.” The Rules Committee, which screens amendments prior to their consideration by the full House, ruled Rep. Pallone’s amendment “not in order.” Joining Rep. Pallone in supporting this proposed amendment were fellow Congressional Armenian Caucus leaders Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Peter King (R-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Jackie Speier (D-CA).

During a March, 2019, interview with then-ANCA Government Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian, Rep. Pallone, who holds the record for number of Congressional visits to Artsakh, drew attention to the obstacles Members of Congress typically face when considering this trip.

“First of all you can’t use any U.S. vehicles or transportation to go to Artsakh, but beyond that, they [U.S. State Department] constantly tell you it’s not safe; there’s going to be consequences; you’re going to be put on the Azerbaijan blacklist,” explained Rep. Pallone. “They essentially try to scare people from going – and obviously, if they are trying to scare me and other Members of Congress, that’s certainly going to discourage private individuals and businesses as well.”

Pallone went on to note that “Artsakh is a functioning democracy, a market economy – very much like the United States and the rest of the West. I want people to know that. And, if it’s going to be successful, there has to be not only political cooperation but economic cooperation. None of that [economic and political cooperation] is helpful if you have a restriction on communications and travel.”

The Artsakh Travel and Communication Resolution (H.Res.190) currently has 20 cosponsors, including Rep. Pallone and Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Salud Carbajal (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), David Cicilline (D-RI), Katherine Clark (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI), Peter King (R-NY), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Grace Napolitano (D-CA), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Jackie Speier (D-CA), and Peter Visclosky (D-IN).

The ANCA, as part of its ANCA 360 legislative agenda, strongly supports the efforts of Rep. Pallone to lift outdated and arbitrary U.S.-Artsakh travel and communication restrictions.