MONTEBELLO, CA – U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) calls upon Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide and calls for “some recompense” for the tragedies that Armenians suffered, during a wreath-laying ceremony early yesterday at the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Montebello’s Bicknell Park.

Senator Feinstein was greeted at the Memorial, just before noon, by Armenian American church and community leaders, including Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church; Levon Kirakosian, who serves on the Prelacy’s Executive Counsel; ANCA National Board member Seto Boyadjian; Viken Pakradouni, Chairman of ANC-San Gabriel Valley; and Nazo Sardorian, Chairman of the Armenian Cultural Foundation – San Gabriel Valley.

ANCA-WR Board Members, Raffi Kassabian and Pattyl Aposhian-Kasparian, helped lead the delegation, as did ANCA-WR Executive Director William Bairamian, and. Local clergymen, community activists, leaders of the Armenian Relief Society, and representatives from the Prelacy Ladies Auxiliary Committee also played an important role in greeting the Senator and participating in the wreath-laying ceremony.

Jack Hadjinian, an ANC SGV activist, who is currently a top candidate for election to Montebello’s city council, Murad Minassian, local ANC-San Gabriel Valley activist and community leader, and Michael Michael Minassian, part of the original organizing committee which spearheaded the approval, funding, and construction of the monument.

The Senator’s wreath-laying was followed by formal remarks to all those gathered, informal discussions regarding Armenian American civic and advocacy priorities, and an interview by Horizon Armenian Television. The Horizon interview can be viewed by clicking here or on the youtube image.

The Armenian National Committee of America-Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.