Philadelphia, PA — The Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region (ANCA ER) Banquet to be held on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, will be well attended this year by members of the state and federal political arenas.

Former Pennsylvania Governor and Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell, Rep. Patrick Meehan (R-PA-7), Rep. Frank Pallone (D-NJ-6) and Pennsylvania State Senator Daylin Leach will all be welcomed as special guests to the banquet, which is being held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Philadelphia.

“We’re honored to have so many of our friends from Congress and the state of Pennsylvania join us this year for our annual banquet. It’s a privilege to be in their company and thank them for their hard work advocating for Armenian American issues year in and year out,” said Jim Kzirian, ANCA Eastern Region Banquet Chairperson.

Rendell served 34 years in public service, including 24 years as an elected official.

“I am happy to join the effort to celebrate the 7th annual ANCA Eastern Region banquet, which has, for so many years, been the single most important fundraising event in the Eastern U.S. for Armenian issues,” the former governor stated.

Rep. Meehan recently signed on as a cosponsor for House Resolution 227, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and met with ANC of Pennsylvania in August this year.

As co-chairman of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, Rep. Pallone has been a staunch advocate of Armenian American concerns and a longtime friend to Armenians in New Jersey and across the U.S. He has been outspoken on Armenian Genocide reaffirmation and a stalwart supporter of Karabakh independence, routinely signing on to legislation and Congressional letters advancing a broad range of community priorities. He also has attended the ANCA ER Banquet many times in the past.

The ANCA recently endorsed State Sen. Leach in his primary bid to succeed Rep. Allyson Schwartz in Pennsylvania’s 13th Congressional district.

“Senator Leach has been an outspoken supporter of U.S. reaffirmation of the Armenian Genocide, spearheading successive Pennsylvania House and Senate resolutions raising awareness of the need to recognize and condemn this crime,” stated Nora Kzirian, ANCA Eastern Region Chairwoman.

This year’s ANCA Freedom Award recipient is best-selling author Chris Bohjalian, and the Vahan Cardashian Award winner is Zohrab Tazian, a steadfast supporter of Hai Tahd for many years.

The banquet will begin with an elegant cocktail reception and silent auction at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and awards ceremony at 8:00 p.m. To purchase tickets or to make a tax-deductible donation, please visit www.anca.org/erbanquet. For more information, please contact James Kzirian at (267) 767-0453.

The ANCA Eastern Region Endowment Fund is a 501(c)(3) charitable and educational organization that supports the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region in outreach to Armenian American communities.