EL MONTE, CA – Yesterday, representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America – Pasadena (ANCA Pasadena) and Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) discussed a broad range of community concerns during a meeting with Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) at her El Monte district office.

Meeting attendees discussed Armenian American foreign aid priorities for 2011, including economic assistance to Armenia, development aid to Nagorno Karabagh, and the importance of suspending military assistance to Azerbaijan in response to its escalating war rhetoric. Rep. Chu expressed her support for Congressional affirmation of the Armenian Genocide and pledged to support efforts to advance H. Res. 252 to a full House vote.

Another topic of discussion was the preservation of Armenian religious monuments. The destruction of Armenian religious monuments has been part of Turkey’s denial campaign, where the goal is to obliterate evidence of the existence of Armenians from central and eastern Turkey by neglecting and destroying over 200 monasteries and 1,600 churches. Additionally, Azerbaijan destructed 2,700 carved cross-stones in the ancient cemetery of Old Jugha, Nakhichevan, Azerbaijan in 2002. Rep. Chu expressed interest in addressing and exposing the ongoing cultural genocide committed by Turkey and Azerbaijan.

“Congresswoman Chu’s commitment to supporting issues of concern to the Armenian American community is commendable,” stated ANCA-WR Government Relations Director Lerna Shirinian. “We look forward to working with her on these important issues in the coming months,” she added.

Congresswoman Chu has served on the Monterey Park City Council, the California State Assembly and most recently the California State Board of Equalization. Congresswoman Chu was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for California’s 32nd District in July 2009. She serves on the House Judiciary Committee, where she is a member of the Immigration and Citizenship, Commercial and Administrative Law, and Constitution and Civil Rights subcommittees, and on the Government Oversight Committee, where she is a member of the Information Policy, Census, National Security and Foreign Affairs subcommittees.

Located entirely in the County of Los Angeles, California’s 32nd Congressional District includes the communities of Baldwin Park, City Terrace, Covina, West Covina, Duarte, East Los Angeles, El Monte, South El Monte, El Sereno, Irwindale, Monterey Park, and Rosemead.

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.