WASHINGTON—The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) team was up on Capitol Hill today to welcome the over 90 newly elected members of the U.S. Senate and House, as Congress kicked off its 113th Session.
ANCA Government Affairs Director Kate Nahapetian and ANCA San Francisco-Bay Area Chairman Armen Carapetian were among those reaching out to old Congressional friends and welcoming new Members, as the new session was launched at noon on January 3rd.
“A new Congress gives Armenian Americans across the U.S. the opportunity to expand our ties with longtime advocates and foster new relationships with recently elected officials on the full array of our community views and values – from justice for the Armenian Genocide and self-determination for Artsakh to a stronger U.S-Armenia relationship, economic development in Javakhk and efforts to assist the beleaguered Christian Armenian community in Syria,” said ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “We welcome the Congress back to Washington – veterans and freshmen alike – and look forward to working with each legislator to help ensure a productive session on the full range of our community concerns.”
The new Congressional session also ushers in new Committee leadership in many cases, including the powerful Senate and House committees dealing with foreign affairs. President Obama’s nomination of Senator John Kerry (D-MA), a longtime supporter of Armenian issues, as Secretary of State will open the door for long-time friend Robert Menendez (D-NJ) to chair that influential committee. Sen. Dick Lugar’s (R-IN) defeat in the 2012 primary opens the door for Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN) to serve as Ranking Republican. On the House side, Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Ed Royce (R-CA) will chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee, with Rep. Eliot Engel (D-NY), a longstanding supporter of Armenian issues, serving as Ranking Democrat.
Among those returning to Congress was Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), who marched up the steps of the Capitol today after a valiant recovery from a stroke suffered in 2012. Prior to his election to the Senate, Kirk served as Co-Chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus during his years in the U.S. House.
Browse photos from events surrounding the kickoff of the 113th Congress
Personly I thank Mr. Obama to recognising the Armenian Genoside in Armenian or any other language .
I’m afraid all this (engaging with members of US congress) is waste of energy and time. We are not a match with the Azeri and Turkish oil resources, the rest is wishful thinking. At best it is a self-deception. Mighty dollar talks and BS walks with the members of congress and in Washington DC in general.
I’m disgusted how the moral considerations and human rights are bought and sold like a commodity in the nation’s capital.The manipulation and the “dance” around the acceptance of the Armenian Genocide by Washington is beyond disgusting.
No it is not a waist at all. Armenians count as voters much more than Turks or Azeri in US. Also, the time for Turkey is not great, since Israel is set to destroy Turkey via Kurdistan.
I welcome the newly elected members. This will have a positive impact on Armenians living in the US and out
Be careful of the doubled edge sword,or the back door system,dealing with our politicos.If they were honorable men,they would seek more honorable employment.