Los Angeles, CA – On the morning of Saturday, February 2, 2008 an open house and reception for Southern California elected officials took place under the auspices of H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, at the Western Prelacy headquarters. Jointly organized by the Western Prelacy Outreach Committee and the Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR), the open house familiarized officials with the endeavors and mission of the Prelacy.

“The Western Prelacy’s new home represents more than brick and concrete. It’s about transformation and relating to future generations,” said ANC-WR Board Member and Western Prelacy Outreach Committee Member Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian. “Today’s open house provided a forum to bring together the leaders of the Armenian community with leaders of Southern California – the Western Prelacy has emerged stronger, more energized, more efficient and more capable of meeting the needs of the community in the years ahead,” she added.

Among those in attendance were Deputy Consul General of the Republic of Armenia Mesrob Shaboyan, Congressman Adam Schiff, Assemblymembers Mike Feuer, Anthony Portantino, and Paul Krekorian, Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, Councilmember Dennis Zine, former State Assemblymember Carol Liu, Glendale Mayor Ara Najarian, Glendale Unified School District board member Mrs. Nairi Nahapetian, Glendale College Board of Trustees members Dr. Armine Hacopian and Dr. Vahe Peroomian, and representatives from the offices of Congressman Brad Sherman, State Senator Jack Scott, Councilmember Wendy Greuel and Los Angeles County Supervisor Mike Antonovich. Various community leaders also attended the opening.

As the guests arrived, Executive Council, ANC, Outreach, and Ladies Auxiliary members led them on a tour of the headquarters starting at the “St. Dertad and St. Ashkhen” Chapel and concluding at the “Dikran and Zarouhie Der Ghazarian” Hall. The tours were followed by welcoming remarks from Aposhian-Kasparian, who described Prelacy activities emphasizing the special attention given to the spiritual nourishment and education of community youth. The Prelate then thanked those in attendance for accepting the invitation to assemble under one roof and to become more closely acquainted with the endeavors and mission of the Prelacy. The Prelate noted that this reception brings together friends of the Armenian people with our community members, expressing hope that this collaboration continues in the future.

Remarks were subsequently offered by Congressman Adam Schiff, City Council President Eric Garcetti, Assemblymembers Paul Krekorian and Anthony Portantino, Councilmember Dennis Zine, Mayor Ara Najarian, and representatives from the offices of Supervisor Michael Antonovich and Congressman Brad Sherman, all of whom congratulated the Prelate on the realization of the new headquarters and offered their well wishes. The officials presented the Prelate with congratulatory resolutions from their respective offices and in turn the Prelate presented each of the officials or their representatives with mementos. Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger, who could not attend the reception, graciously sent a congratulatory letter which was also presented to the Prelate.

Guests then enjoyed an opportunity to interact with the officials and with each other during breakfast which was hosted by the Ladies Auxiliary.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANC-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.

Photo Caption #1: Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America with Congressman Adam Schiff (D-CA-29).

Photo Caption #2: ANC-WR Board Member and Western Prelacy Outreach Committee Member Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian delivers welcoming remarks.