Washington, DC- ANCA “Leo Sarkisian” intern and Orange County native Alex Der Alexanian met with Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA-40) in his Washington, DC office thanking him for his ongoing support of Armenian Genocide legislation and exploring avenues to increase support for this key human rights legislation, the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

“The Genocide Resolution is currently at a crucial stage with the majority of the House of Representatives already agreeing to serve as cosponsors” said Der Alexanian. “I appreciated the opportunity to visit with Rep. Royce to have a greater understanding of the political dynamics surrounding the consideration of this measure and to explore ways we can work to see this legislation adopted.”

Der Alexanian and ANCA Legislative Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian discussed an array of Armenian American concerns with Rep. Royce. Following the discussion, Der Alexanian proceeded to thank the Congressman for cosponsoring for H. Res 106 and urged him to encourage his colleagues to do the same. Der Alexanian, is a student at California State University, Fullerton, which is also Rep. Royce’s Alma Matter.

Rep. Ed Royce represents the 40th district of California covering cities in western and northern Orange County. As a long time advocate for human rights, and a member of the Armenian Caucus, Rep. Royce has been leading cosponsor of Armenian Genocide legislation throughout his years in Congress. In addition to cosponsoring the Genocide bill, Congressman Royce regularly participates in Armenian community events within his district. In 2005, the Orange County ANC awarded Rep. Royce the prestigious “Freedom Award.”

Der Alexanian met with Royce as part of the 2007 ANCA “Leo Sarkisian” Internship Program, an eight-week intensive public affairs training program, which annually brings young Armenian Americans together in the nation’s capital. The program emphasizes building relationships within the United States Congress and, as such, requires each intern to arrange a meeting with their respective elected officials. Der Alexanian’s meeting was one of many successful dialogues ANCA interns have held with Congressional leaders throughout the summer.

The ANCA “Leo Sarkisian” Internship is an integral part of the ANCA Capital Gateway program, a year-round internship / job placement service which provides Armenian Americans greater opportunities to explore careers on Capitol Hill, in the U.S. Foreign Service and key Washington, DC foreign policy think tanks. To learn more about the ANCA Capital Gateway Program, visit: https://www.anca.org/gateway/gateway_overview.php

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Photo Caption: Orange County AYF Member and ANC activist Alex Der Alexanian with Rep. Ed Royce (R-CA)