WASHINGTON, DC – The Armenian National Committee of America has learned that Colorado has joined Massachusetts, Maine and Rhode Island to become the fourth state with a complete Congressional delegation in support of both H. Res. 106 and S. Res. 106. The ANCA-WR is pleased to report that Colorado activists were instrumental in gaining the cosponsorship support of the Colorado delegation.
With the recent additions of Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Congressman Thomas Tancredo (R-CO-06), the Colorado Delegation now unanimously supports the Armenian Genocide Resolutions of the Senate and House of Representatives. Senator Salazar joined Senator Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Rep. Tancredo joined Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO-02), Rep. John Salazar (D-CO-03), Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO-04), Rep. Douglas Lamborn (R-CO-05) and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-CO-07) in cosponsorship.
As an example of their grassroots efforts, on March 23, 2007, local constituents Kim Christianian, Ken Allikian, Denise and Diane Gentilini and Michael Chandler met with Congressman Ed Perlmutter’s local district office in Lakewood as part of their grassroots efforts in Colorado. The constituents met with Congressman Perlmutter’s Congressional Aide, Christopher Votoupal to discuss H. Res. 106 and to urge the Congressman to join the Armenian Caucus. During this meeting, the group discussed issues ranging from the assassination of Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink to the re-nomination of Richard Hoagland as U.S. Ambassador to Armenia.
“This meeting was a good opportunity to articulate issues that are important to Armenian-Americans that go beyond H. Res. 106 regarding Armenia and its future,” said Christianian. “Even though Rep. Perlmutter had already signed on as a cosponsor, it is always important to meet with local Congressmen and strengthen your ties with both them and their staff.”
Because Congressman Perlmutter had already signed on to H. Res. 106, the constituents asked him to also urge his colleague Senator Ken Salazar to also join as a cosponsor. “We are a small yet resilient community. We are very proud of the success that we have had with our grassroots efforts in disseminating important Armenian-related issues to our elected officials. This is a collaborative effort between three organizations: Armenians of Colorado, Inc. , the Armenian Assembly, and the ANCA,” said Christianian. “Our fight for truth is honorable and worthy. This is a universal cause that should appeal to all world citizens, especially our elected officials,” she added.
“Colorado provides a wonderful example of the power of grassroots advocacy,” stated ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian. “The POWER Initiative will continue to reach out to the Western United States to ensure that the interests of the Armenian American community are represented properly,” he added.
The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.
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