VAN NUYS, CALIFORNIA – Friends, activists and leaders of the Armenian National Committee – Western Region (ANC-WR) were pleased to welcome newly-elected Councilmember Paul Krekorian to the Los Angeles City Council during a ceremonial Swearing-in Ceremony and Inaugural Celebration on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Van Nuys City Hall.

The ANC-WR joined hundreds of supporters for Councilmember Krekorian, celebrating the historic election of the first Armenian American to the Los Angeles City Council. The oath of office was administered by Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca. Among the supporters who spoke during the ceremony were Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, LA City Council President Eric Garcetti, State Assemblymember Mike Feuer and former Controller Laura Chick.

“We would like to offer our congratulations to Councilmember Krekorian on his newly elected position in the Los Angeles City Council,” stated ANC-WR Government Relations Director Lerna Shirinian. “Councilmember Krekorian has been a strong advocate and voice for the Armenian American community within the State Assembly and we look forward to working with him as he leads Council District 2 in the City of Los Angeles,” he added.

During his tenure as State Assemblymember, Krekorian introduced AJR 15, which designated April 24, 2007 as California Day of Remembrance for the Armenian Genocide of 1915 through 1923. Krekorian’s AJR 15 urged Congress and the President of the United States “to formally recognize and reaffirm the historical truth that the atrocities committed against the Armenian people constituted genocide,” and called upon the Republic of Turkey to “acknowledge the facts of the Armenian Genocide and to work toward a just resolution.” In 2008, Krekorian was the co-author of SJR 24, a similar resolution, which noted that “by consistently remembering and openly condemning the atrocities committed against the Armenians, California residents demonstrate their sensitivity to a need for constant vigilance to prevent similar atrocities in the future.”

To help highlight the enduring legacy of legendary Armenian-American playwright and author William Saroyan, Assemblymember Krekorian co-authored SCR 9, which designated the year 2008 as the William Saroyan Year for enriching the cultural diversity of the state, and in particular, for celebrating over 100 years of the cultural contribution of Armenian-Americans to the people of the state.

“Councilmember Krekorian is a strong voice for our community and a principled leader,” stated ANC-WR Board Member Avo Ovayan. “I am confident that his creativity, energy and leadership will set the standard for the Los Angeles City Council,” he remarked.

Councilmember Paul Krekorian represents the 2nd Council District of Los Angeles, which stretches from Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills to Big Tujunga Road in the Verdugo Hills. It includes the communities of including the communities of Lake View Terrace, La Tuna Canyon, North Hollywood, Shadow Hills, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Sunland, Sun Valley, Tujunga, Valley Village, Valley Glen and Van Nuys. Council District 2 is home to — Armenian Americans, the largest concentration of the community in the City of Los Angeles.

The Armenian National Committee – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots community 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.