ORANGE, CA – ANCA Orange County (ANCA-OC) Chairman and constituent Armen Garabedian met with Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA) during Congressional August Recess last week to discuss a broad range of issues concerning the Armenian American community.

Garabedian thanked Congressman Royce for his supportive record on Armenian American issues throughout his nine terms in Congress, specifically his leadership in helping advance H. Res. 252 – the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Rep. Royce reaffirmed his commitment to rallying support for H. Res. 252.

The meeting was also an opportunity to update Rep. Royce and discuss the danger of Azeri war rhetoric towards Armenia and the Republic of Nagorno Karabagh. The Congressman expressed concern about the ongoing war threats and pledged to draw attention to the issue during Congressional floor sessions.

“We would like to thank Congressman Royce for his principled leadership on issues of concern to the Armenian American community,” stated ANCA-OC Chairman Armen Garabedian. “His active support and leadership on important human rights issues is truly commendable,” he added.

As a long time advocate for human rights and a member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, Rep. Royce has been a leading cosponsor of Armenian Genocide legislation throughout his years in Congress. Serving as senior member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, he has been committed to working with his colleagues in Congress to continue building support for H. Res. 252 and ensuring a victory in the full House. Immediately following the passage of H. Res. 252 in the House Foreign Affairs Committee this March, Congressman Royce issued a statement reinforcing his support for the measure.

Rep. Royce represents the 40th Congressional District of California, covering cities throughout western and northern Orange County. As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation and Trade, a member of the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment and the Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia. From 1998 to 2004, Rep. Royce chaired the Africa Subcommittee. Hearings in 2004 included confronting war crimes in Africa, reflecting on the Rwandan genocide, the current genocide in Darfur, and peace prospects in Sudan, the Ivory Coast and the Congo. Rep. Royce has led several Congressional delegations to numerous African countries, including his most recent trip to observe the genocide in Darfur, Sudan.

The Armenian National Committee of America – 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 ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.