Los Angeles, CA – Members of the Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region (ANCA-WR) board were joined by local ANC leaders at a reception this past Wednesday evening featuring former Governor and Presidential candidate, Michael Dukakis. The event was hosted by long-time ANC supporter and former Clinton Administration official, Michael Mahdesian and his father, ANC activist Richard Mahdesian. The ANCA-WR joined other Los Angeles-area elected officials, staffers and community activists to listen to Dukakis’ perspective on the 2008 General Elections.

In his remarks, Dukakis emphasized the importance of grassroots mobilization and the role it would play in the 2008 elections. He noted that recent successes by the Democratic Party could, in part, be attributed to the amount of effort spent reaching out to voters at a personal and local level. He argued that this approach has the potential to be even more effective in California and very important given the nearly finalized decision to hold California’s Presidential Primary elections early in the election season.

Glendale City Clerk, Ardashes Kassakhian opened the evening’s event. In introducing Dukakis, Kassakhian recalled how as a student the former Governor and part-time UCLA lecturer helped motivate his interest and strengthen his commitment to public service. ANCA-WR Chairman Raffi Hamparian was joined by fellow board members, Zanku Armenian and Avo Ovayan as well as staff and interns from the Western Region office. Several local ANC chairs and staff also attended the event.

“Being a grassroots organization, the Armenian National Committee can appreciate the importance of the community outreach described by Governor Dukakis,” remarked Armenian. “Time and again, we see our hard work at the local level result in a positive contribution to our community’s well-being and ensure that its issues are appropriately addressed.”

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: (from left to right) ANCA-WR Board Members Avo Ovayan, Raffi Hamparian, Zanku Armenian, and ANCA-WR Executive Director, Antranig Kzirian join Dukakis (center) at the Wednesday evening reception. (Photo by Jacob Margolis)