Los Angeles, CA – On Friday, August 24th, the Armenian National Committee-Western Region (ANC-WR) met with California State Assembly Member Mike Feuer (D-42) and the office of California State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-23). ANC-WR Community Relations Director led the meetings which were also attended by Feuer constituent and former ANC-WR intern, Teresa Petrosyan.

Meeting with Feuer in his West Hollywood district office, Petrosyan and Hovsepian updated the Assembly Member regarding SB 515, legislation reauthorizing the California-Armenia Trade Office (CATO) as well as ANC-WR efforts to engage the Armenian community in civic and public service. Feuer noted his interest in the trade office legislation and expressed his appreciation for the ANC’s efforts such as the internship program. He encouraged continued participation in such programs.

Feuer also discussed the ongoing dispute between the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the growing cross section of the human rights communities as well as Jewish community due to the ADL’s reserved approach to public, wide-spread affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.

Hovsepian and Petrosyan next met with Hilda Garcia, Field Deputy to CA Senator Sheila Keuhl in the Senator’s Westwood office. Both Bruin alumni, Hovsepian and Petrosyan discussed the ANC-WR’s campus outreach efforts and programs and college student programs. Petrosyan also thanked Kuehl for her support of SB 515 when it was considered in the state Senate earlier this year. Hovsepian noted the community’s appreciation of the state legislature’s strong support for genocide awareness educational efforts and expressed the ANC-WR’s hope that such educational efforts will continue to be supported as California is at the forefront of addressing the ongoing issue of genocide and the United States’ role in confronting this crime against humanity.

“The California Armenian community appreciates the attention and importance placed on issues of concern to them by Assembly Member Feuer and Senator Kuehl,” said Hovsepian. “We look forward to our ongoing work with them to promote proactive anti-genocide efforts as well as building stronger, mutually beneficial relationships between California and Armenia.”

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.

Photo Caption #1: California State Assembly Member Mike Feuer (D-42).

Photo Caption #2: California State Senator Sheila Kuehl (D-23).