Los Angeles, CA – The Armenian National Committee-Western Region (ANC-WR) met with Congresswoman Diane Watson in her Los Angeles district office on Wednesday, August 15th to discuss the latest developments regarding H. Res. 106, (the Armenian Genocide resolution) as well as the local vibrant Armenian American community in her district. ANC-WR Community Relations Director, Haig Hovsepian attended the meeting with Miss Suzy Bezikian, a constituent of the Congresswoman’s and former ANCA Leo Sarkisian Intern.

“It was a great opportunity to reconnect with the Congresswoman, whom I first met as an intern with the ANC in Washington, D.C.,” said Bezikian. “I appreciated the opportunity to let Congresswoman Watson know how much we value her support of and leadership in advancing the Armenian Genocide resolution as well as US-Armenia relations,” she added.

The Congresswoman presented her recent initiatives to promote Hollywood’s contribution to the public perception of America. She pleasantly noted the diversity of the congressional district and praised Armenian American contributions to its development and richness of culture. Bezikian and Hovsepian discussed the local Hollywood ANC’s activities as well as that by other Armenian community organizations such as the Armenian Youth Federation, which hosts an annual Hollywood neighborhood beautification project.

First elected in 2001, Congresswoman Watson represents California’s 33rd Congressional District which includes Hollywood, the heart of Los Angeles, and Culver City. She serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee as well as the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. She was one of the early cosponsors of H. Res. 106 and in March, she authored a dear colleague letter regarding the ongoing destruction of Armenian religious and cultural monuments in the eastern part of the Republic of Turkey.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) 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.

Photo: ANC activist Suzy Bezikian (left) and ANC-WR Community Relations Director, Haig Hovsepian (center) meet with Congresswoman Diane Watson.