Sacramento, CA – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) and the Sacramento ANC Chapter recently met with Congressman Dan Lungren (R-CA) at his office in Gold River, CA. ANCA-WR Board Member Hovannes Boghossian and ANC of Sacramento activist Gagam Adamian thanked the Congressman for his support of the Armenian American Community, particularly his efforts regarding House Resolution 106 (the Armenian Genocide Resolution).

“It is always a pleasure to meet with Congressman Lungren to discuss issues that are important to the Armenian American community,” stated ANC-WR Board Member Hovannes Boghossian. “The Congressman has been a long time friend and supporter of our community and we look forward to his support when a new Genocide Resolution is introduced,” he added.

Boghossian and Adamian spoke at length with the Congressman regarding H. Res. 106 and the Turkish government’s continuous denial of the Armenian Genocide. The adoption of the resolution by the House Foreign Affairs Committee on October 10, 2007 sparked a firestorm of media coverage over the Turkish government’s threats to retaliate against America if the measure were approved by the full House of Representatives. Turkey has poured millions of foreign dollars into the U.S. political system, paying former Members of Congress to make its case and public relations firms to spin the media coverage against this human rights legislation.

During the meeting, Boghossian and Adamian informed the Congressman regarding the recent controversy at the Institute of Turkish Studies (ITS). Professor Donald Quataert, director of ITS, was forced to resign after changing his long held position of denial by acknowledging the historical veracity of the Armenian Genocide in a recent book review. The ANC representatives also discussed the Southern Poverty Law Center’s recent investigative feature on the Turkish government’s denial campaign in American academia.

Congressman Lungren reiterated his support for the Armenian American community and reassured that he will once again support the Armenian Genocide Resolution when it is introduced in Congress.
ANC of Sacramento advocates for the social, economic, cultural, and political rights of the state’s Armenian American community and promotes increased Armenian American civic participation at the grassroots and public policy levels. It is the voice of this vibrant community which advances and enriches Washington.

Photo caption: Congressman Dan Lungren (center) joined by ANC of Sacramento activist Gagam Adamian and ANCA-WR Board Member Hovannes Boghossian (from left to right).