GLENDALE, CA – Some fifty reporters and community leaders gathered at the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Western Region headquarters yesterday for a press conference announcing the ANCA endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama in the Democratic Presidential primary.

Speakers at the press conference included Obama supporters, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA, 29th district), Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti, ANCA National Board member Raffi Hamparian and Armenians for Obama Chairwoman Nora Hovsepian. Each outlined Sen. Obama’s proven record and commitment to bringing about meaningful change in U.S. governance and commitment to Armenian American concerns.

“Today, we endorse an individual, a senator, a leader—a purveyor of hope—who can change the tone, tenor, and policies in Washington, DC. We, as an organization, believe that Barack Obama is the individual to get this job done,” explained ANCA National Board Member Raffi Hamparian. Hovsepian concurred noting that, “Barack Obama, on the key issues of importance to our community, has adopted very favorable positions. Whether it is recognition of the Armenian Genocide, aid to Armenia, or self-determination and independence for Karabagh, on all of these issues, Barack Obama is with us.”

Hamparian and Hovsepian went on to cite Sen. Obama’s strong statement on U.S.-Armenia relations, issued on January 19th, where he outlined his strong support for the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution currently before Congress and his commitment to promoting Armenia’s security “by seeking an end to the Turkish and Azerbaijani blockades.”

House Armenian Genocide Resolution lead sponsor, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), noting that successive U.S. presidents have reneged on campaign pledges to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide, stated “I think we have in Senator Obama a person of impeccable principle. I am confident that the commitments he makes are the commitments he keeps.” In his January 19th statement, Sen. Obama had stated, “As a senator, I strongly support passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H.Res.106 and S.Res.106), and as President I will recognize the Armenian Genocide.”

Councilman Garcetti echoed these sentiments, noting that, “His [Sen. Obama’s] principles are not just ones that he trots out when it’s convenient. It’s very easy for someone to say pro-Armenian things in front of an Armenian group, but he [Obama] went to Azerbaijan, where, in Azerbaijan, he said that it was time to end the blockades; and there he also said it was time for Turks to recognize the Genocide. It speaks volumes about the sort of leader he will be, the sort of diplomat he will be, and the sort of president he will be.”

In addition to Rep. Schiff and Councilman Garcetti, Sen. Obama has support from a broad range of Congressional Democrats including Senate Armenian Genocide resolution lead sponsor, Deputy Majority Leader Dick Durbin (IL) as well as Senators Kent Conrad (ND), Tim Johnson (SD), Edward Kennedy (MA), John Kerry (MA), Patrick Leahy (VT), Claire McCaskill (MO), and Ben Nelson (NE); as well as Representatives Neil Abercrombie (HI), Xavier Becerra (CA), G.K. Butterfield (NC), William Lacy Clay (MO), John Conyers (MI), Jim Cooper (TN), Jerry Costello (IL), Artur Davis (AL), Danny Davis (IL), Keith Ellison (MN), Del. Eni Faleomavaega (AS), Chaka Fattah (PA), Al Green (TX), Luis Gutierrez (IL), Phil Hare (IL), Paul Hodes (NH), Jesse Jackson Jr. (IL), Patrick Kennedy (RI), Barbara Lee (CA), Dave Loebsack (IA) , Zoe Lofgren (CA), Betty McCollum (MN), George Miller (CA), Gwen Moore (WI), Patrick Murphy (PA), Ed Perlmutter (CO), Steven Rothman (NJ), Bobby Rush (IL) , Linda Sánchez (CA), Jan Schakowsky (IL), Bobby Scott (VA), Bennie Thompson (MS), Peter Welch (VT), and Albert Wynn (MD).

Sen. Obama’s complete statement on U.S.-Armenia relations is available on the official campaign website at:
http://www.barackobama.com/2008/01/19/barack_obama_on_the_importance.php

The Armenians for Obama site — www.armeniansforobama.com — will be up shortly. In the interim, individuals interested in volunteering or receiving more information, can email info@armeniansforobama.com.

For complete information regarding the ANCA endorsement of Sen. Obama in the Democratic primary, visit:

https://anca.org/press-release/anca-endorses-obama-in-democratic-primary/