New York, NY- The Armenian National Committee of America, Eastern Region (ANCA ER) announced plans to hold its third annual banquet on October 3, 2009 at New York City’s premiere event location Espace. The master of ceremonies will be Armenian-American Congressional candidate David Krikorian from Ohio. The theme of this year’s banquet is “Gaining Strength: Armenian Advocacy in America.”

“We are excited to be hosting the ANCA Eastern Region’s third annual banquet. Each year the ‘Urgency of Now’ increases – now, more than ever, Armenian advocacy in America is critical,” commented ANCA ER Chairman Stephen Mesrobian. “And, with David Krikorian as our master of ceremonies, we have a community leader who takes action against injustice. During his Congressional campaign last year, he exposed incumbent opponent Rep. Jean Schmidt’s denial of the Armenian Genocide.”

Born in Rhode Island, Krikorian is the grandson of Armenian Genocide survivors and has been a community leader and ANC activist for a number of years in Ohio. An entrepreneur, businessman and father of three, he decided to run for Congress in Ohio’s second congressional district in 2008. As an independent candidate, he launched a fierce David-verses-Goliath campaign against incumbent Jean Schmidt (R–OH) and Democrat candidate Victoria Wulsin. During his race, Krikorian exposed the electorate to Rep. Schmidt’s complicity in Turkey’s efforts to deny the Armenian Genocide, including her acceptance of $30,000 in donations from political action committees and Turkish government sympathizers tied to Turkey’s denial campaign. With approximately one-tenth the spending of his two opponents, he captured nearly 59,000 votes, or close to 20% of the vote, an unusual feat for an independent candidate. Krikorian has announced his intentions to run for Congress again in 2010 as a Democratic candidate for the US House Of Representatives.

“I am honored to emcee this year’s banquet,” said Krikorian. “I have drawn much strength from my Armenian heritage and from the support provided by the Armenian-American community throughout my campaign. I look forward to this event that highlights the strength of Armenian-American advocacy under the leadership of the ANCA.”

The evening will take place at one of New York City’s premiere event locations, Espace (www.espaceny.com). It will begin with a silent auction and cocktail reception, followed by dinner and an awards program. Honorees to receive the ANCA ER Freedom Award and the Vahan Cardashian award will be announced shortly.

More than 300 supporters attended the second annual banquet held at the Grand Hyatt New York last September, and the ANCA ER is excited to be in the planning phase of what is expected to be another successful event. More details will follow in the coming weeks. For more information and reservations, please contact the ANCA ER at erbanquet@anca.org or call 917-428-1918.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working through a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the US and around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian-American community on a broad range of issues.