NEW YORK, NY —Representative Ben Chandler (D-KY) today became the newest member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, reported the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA ER). Rep. Chandler’s entrance into the Caucus brings its membership to one hundred forty-five.

Congressman Chandler was first elected to the U.S. House in a special election in February 2004 to replace Rep. Ernie Fletcher, who left his seat to successfully run for Governor of Kentucky. Chandler was re-elected to office in November 2004, with 59% of the vote. Congressman Chandler serves on the Committee on Agriculture, the Committee on International Relations, and the Select Committee on Homeland Security.

“We welcome Representative Chandler joining the Armenian Issues Caucus and look forward to working with the Congressman on a number of issues of special concern to his Armenian American constituents,” stated Doug Geogerian, Executive Director of the ANCA ER. “As a member of the Committee on International Relations, we look forward to his support on gaining official recognition of the Armenian Genocide, working to foster stronger U.S.-Armenia bilateral relations, and obtaining a just settlement for the people of Nagorno-Karabagh,” said Geogerian.

Founded in 1995, the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues is a bipartisan forum for the discussion of policies to foster increased cooperation between the United States and Armenian governments and to strengthen the enduring bonds between the American and Armenian peoples. Its two co-chairs are Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) and Congressmen Frank Pallone (D-NJ).

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.