Los Angeles, CA –- Antonio Villaraigosa, the national co-chairman of the John Kerry Presidential Campaign, read Senator Kerry’s April 24th statement before thousands of Armenian-Americans at an event sponsored by the Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR). The gathering occurred in the shadow of the Armenian Genocide Monument in Montebello, California on April 24, 2004.

“The City of Los Angeles will never forget the Armenian Genocide and I, along with the Armenian National Committee, will do whatever I can to honor the memory of the 1.5 million martyrs,” said Councilmember Antonio Villaraigosa. “In the ten years that I have served in public office, the Armenian National Committee has consistently been the leading advocate of issues relating to the Armenian-American community, and I have always valued the close relationship we share.”

“We want to thank Senator Kerry for his April 24th Armenian Genocide Statement and Councilman Villaraigosa for sharing this message with our community,” stated ANCA-WR Chairman Raffi Hamparian. “Councilman Villaraigosa understands our long struggle for justice,” he added.

Villaraigosa participated in an ANCA-WR sponsored Armenian Genocide program held at Los Angeles City Hall on April 23, 2004. The Councilman spoke to Armenian-American leaders at that solemn commemoration and then joined his colleague and event sponsor Councilman Eric Garcetti in passing a resolution affirming the historical facts of the Armenian Genocide. The resolution emphasized the need to challenge those who deny crimes against humanity like the Armenian Genocide.

Villaraigosa is the former Speaker of the California State Assembly and now serves as a member of the Los Angeles City Council.

The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) 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.

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