WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) today congratulates President George W. Bush on his inauguration to his second term as President of the United States, wishing him well as he prepares to lead the nation for the coming four years.

The ANCA, in a letter to the President, welcomed his second Administration as an opportunity to build strong ties between the White House and America’s one and a half million citizens of Armenian heritage, to strengthen U.S.-Armenia relations, constructively address outstanding issues of concern to the Armenian American community, and to reinforce the longstanding friendship of the American and Armenian peoples.

During the course of the hard-fought and closely contested 2004 Presidential election campaign, Armenian Americans demonstrated an unprecedented level of activism – as voters, party activists, policy advocates, and financial contributors. Armenian American contributions to federal-level Republican candidates and committees totaled well over $1,500,000 during the 2004 election cycle, with more than $350,000 going directly to the Bush-Cheney re-election effort. An additional $430,000 was raised for the Republican National Committee; $140,000 for the National Republican Congressional Committee, and; $24,000 for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. In addition to these figures, Armenian Americans contributed over $550,000 directly to the campaigns of Congressional Republicans.