Press Room

(6/18/08) Washington, DC - In its ongoing efforts to broaden the base of support for Armenian issues, ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah and Executive Director Jason Capizzi recently crisscrossed Capitol Hill in a bipartisan fashion to educate new friends on Armenian-American issues by attending the Jewish Historical Society’s annual gala as well as a reception in honor of Representative Brad Sherman (D-CA), a loyal and committed friend of Armenians.

The Jewish Historical Society event was attended by several Members of Congress including Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Arlen Specter (R-PA), as well as House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Democratic Caucus Chair Rahm Emanuel (D-IL), House Minority Leader John Boehner, House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO), Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Representative Eric Cantor (R-VA). Members of the Bush administration were also present, including Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Tevi D. Troy, who learned about Armenian issues from Co-Chair Totah.

Following the gala on Capitol Hill, Co-Chair Totah and Executive Director Capizzi attended a reception for Representative Brad Sherman at the Democratic National Committee Headquarters, where Totah thanked Representative Sherman for his steadfast support of Armenian issues. Co-Chair Totah also had a chance to meet and greet a number of other congressional friends who were in attendance, namely Representatives Diane Watson (D-CA), Barney Frank (D-MA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA), each of whom are cosponsors of the H.Res.106 relating to United States reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, for their advocacy work. Co-Chair Totah specifically thanked Representative Adam Schiff for his leadership role on Armenian issues and also apprised him of ARMENPAC’s ongoing good work.

Representative Brad Sherman is serving his 6th term in Congress representing the 27th District of California. Representative Sherman is a member of the Financial Services, Judiciary and Foreign Affairs Committees; Chairman of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Non-proliferation and Trade; and a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian issues. While leaving the Democratic National Headquarters, Co-Chair Totah ran into Representative Joe Crowley (D-NY) and took advantage of the moment to once again thank him for having introduced H.Res.102 condemning the assassination of Hrant Dink.

“ARMENPAC receives an inordinate amount of requests for contributions from our friends in Congress, who expect our ongoing and consistent support of their reelection campaigns. As such, we need and count on the Armenian community’s generous financial support to enhance our electioneering efforts in support of Armenian-American issues,” said ARMENPAC Co-Chairs Annie Totah and Edgar Hagopian.

“Furthermore, 2008 is an election year and it is imperative that we make our voices heard by attending as many events as possible in support of our friends in Congress so that they can continue to advocate for our cause,” added Totah. For more information on how to make a contribution to ARMENPAC please call (877) 286-1026 or visit www.armenpac.org/contribute.shtml.

ARMENPAC Executive Director Jason P. Capizzi, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and his wife Lisa.

ARMENPAC Executive Director Jason P. Capizzi, Lisa Sherman, Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Rep. Diane Watson (D-CA) and ARMENPAC Co-Chair Annie Totah.