WASHINGTON, DC – The Las Vegas Chapter of the Armenian National Committee will host a reception in support of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) on February 4, 2006.

The Las Vegas ANC represents the concerns of the Armenian American community in Nevada before federal, state and local officials. The ANCA gathering will be held at the home of Dr. & Mrs. Armen & Lena Hovanessian, who are distinguished and active members of the Armenian community in Las Vegas.

The event will feature a presentation by ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian, who represents the grassroots organization in dealings with the White House and Members of Congress. The ANCA’s Executive Director Aram Hamparian will also be on hand to provide a legislative update on Armenian matters pending before the 109th session of the U.S. Congress.

“With the gracious generosity of Armen and Lena Hovanessian, who will host our fundraiser, members of the Las Vegas Armenian American community look forward to supporting the ANCA,” remarked Las Vegas ANC Chairman Hriyr Dadaian. “I am glad that ANCA leaders will be coming to Las Vegas to share how our community can be more involved in advancing Armenian issues in our nation’s capital,” Dadaian added.

Nevada has been the nation’s fastest growing state for 19 straight years and has seen, during this same period, an enormous growth in its Armenian American population. Many Armenian Americans have relocated to Nevada from Los Angeles and from a number of Midwestern and Eastern states. The Chairman of the Las Vegas ANC, Hriyr Dadaian, originally hails from Iowa.

Nevada is also home to a number of key Members of Congress from both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Senator John Ensign, a Republican from Nevada, has introduced legislation (S.Res.320) that reaffirms the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide. In addition to leading the fight for recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Senator Ensign currently serves as Vice Chairman of the powerful Republican Steering Committee. Harry Reid, the Democratic Minority Leader in the U.S. Senate, also hails from Nevada and has been a strong supporter of Armenian American issues in Congress.

Nevada is also home to two Members of Congress, Representatives Shelly Berkley (1st District) and Jon Porter (3rd District) who are both actively supportive of the concerns of their Armenian American constituents. Representative Shelley Berkley, a great friend of the Armenian community, recently voted in favor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution in the International Relations Committee. Congressman Jon Porter, earlier this year, co-signed a letter urging President Bush to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide.