ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY OF AMERICA | 2019 ANNUAL REVIEW CAPITOL HILL RESULTS ADVOCACY CONFERENCE GRASSROOTS INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS A Message from the Co-Chairmen 2019 will be remembered as one of the most historic years in Armenian American advocacy in the United States with the overwhelming and bipartisan passage of the Armenian Genocide resolutions in the House and Senate. This is truly remarkable and it would not have been possible without your support and encouragement. Together, we never gave up and never gave in, even when it looked impossible. In addition to the decisive victory in Congress affirming the Armenian Genocide, together we have also: • Expanded the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues to 124 members • Increased U.S. support for Armenia’s democracy Van Krikorian & Anthony Barsamian • Ensured continued U.S. funding for de-mining in Artsakh • Trained the next generation of leaders through our internship programs • Convened another successful National Advocacy Conference with over 150 meetings on Capitol Hill • Helped secure the passage of California’s Divestment from Turkish Bonds Act • Advocated for the establishment of the State of California Trade Desk in the Republic of Armenia We all can take great pride in what has been achieved. With your support, we will continue our work to ensure Artsakh’s safety and security, further the cause of Genocide education, foster democracy, and help strengthen Armenia’s economy. Thank you for a great 2019. Let’s make more history together in 2020. With warm regards, Anthony Barsamian, Co-Chairman Van Krikorian, Co-Chairman Carolyn Mugar BOARD OF TRUSTEES Anthony Barsamian, Co-Chair Van Krikorian, Co-Chair Carolyn Mugar, President Robert A. Kaloosdian, Counselor Bianka Kadian-Dodov, Treasurer Oscar Tatosian, Secretary Lisa Kalustian, Assistant Secretary Aram Gavoor Alex Karapetian Lu Ann Ohanian Toros Sahakian Joyce Stein Annie Simonian Totah Talin Yacoubian Mark Momjian, Solicitor Intern Alumni SPOTLIGHTS DR. MARY PAPAZIAN California Assemblymember Evan Low’s Nominee for Aram Gavoor Woman of the Year President at San Jose State Armenian Bar Association’s University “20 Rising Stars Under 40” Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Member of the Board of Trustees Internship Program Alumna Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program Alumnus, Class of 2003 Talin Yacoubian California State Senator Anthony Portantino’s LILLIAN AVEDIAN 2019 Women in Business “Outstanding Volunteer Award” NAASR’S 65th Anniversary Gala Essay Contest Winner on Member of the Board of Trustees Educators who Transformed their Lives Student at University of California, Berkeley (UCB) David & Margaret Armenia Internship Program Alumna, Class of 2018 Mgrublian Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Internship Program Alumna, Los Angeles Supervisor Kathryn Class of 2019 Barger’s “Certificate of Recognition” for their impactful philanthropic and volunteer work Member of the Southern California Regional Council Al & Diane Cabraloff GURGEN TADEVOSYAN Certificates of Recognition from Congresswoman NAASR’S 65th Anniversary Gala Essay Contest Winner on Judy Chu, California Educators who Transformed State Senator Anthony their Lives Portantino, California State Student at New York University Assemblymember Adrin (NYU) Nazarian, and Los Angeles Terjenian-Thomas Assembly County Supervisor Kathryn Internship Program Alumnus, Barger Class of 2018 UNT ENDEIT ET QUATIO Member of the Southern RE NU LABO RADASA California Regional Council Awarded at the 2019 Assembly Western Region Annual New Year’s Gathering CAPITOL HILL RESULTS HISTORIC ADOPTION OF ARMENIAN GENOCIDE RESOLUTIONS IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES & SENATE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES The Armenian Genocide resolution, H.Res.296, was Statements in support of the resolution were given by adopted on October 29, 2019 by an overwhelmingly House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); House Majority Leader favorable bipartisan vote of 405 to 11 in the U.S. House of Steny Hoyer (D-MD); House Rules Committee Chairman Representatives. James McGovern (D-MA); House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Eliot Engel (D-NY); The watershed vote for “The passage of H.Res. 296 by the House Intelligence Committee human rights represents Chairman Adam Schiff (D- the culmination of decades House of Representatives reflects the CA); Democratic Caucus Vice of tireless work by Members best of America. It honors a proud Chair Katherine Clark (D-MA); of Congress, the Armenian chapter in U.S. history of humanitarian Congressional Caucus on Assembly of America and intervention. It recalls the extraordinary Armenian Issues leaders Frank the Armenian American contributions of America’s front-line Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Jackie Speier community from across the diplomats, philanthropic leaders and (D-CA), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and country. The purpose of this Peter King (R-NY); House Foreign resolution is crystal clear. relief workers in helping save a people Affairs Committee Subcommittee It formally acknowledges from annihilation.” Ranking Member Brad Sherman the Armenian Genocide. It (D-CA), Senior Member Chris condemns genocide denial in Armenian Assembly of America Smith (R-NJ); Member David any form. It encourages human Executive Director Bryan Ardouny Cicilline (D-RI), Member Ted Lieu rights education to help (D-CA), and Member Jim Costa prevent future genocides. (D-CA); Armenian-Assyrian Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-CA); Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR); Rep. Rep. The Armenian Assembly of America has worked vigorously Judy Chu (D-CA); Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-MI); Rep. Sheila since the 1970s to combat the dangers of genocide denial Jackson Lee (D-TX); Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY); Rep. Linda and fully supports affirmation of the U.S. record on the Sanchez (D-CA); Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD); and Rep. Donna Armenian Genocide. Shalala (D-FL). U.S. SENATE The Armenia Assembly of America “Adoption of this bill is especially CO-SPONSORS hailed adoption of S.Res. 150, the fitting today given that this week H.Res.296 Armenian Genocide resolution in marks the anniversary of the the U.S. Senate spearheaded by signing of the United Nations Introduced by Rep. Adam Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Convention for the Prevention Schiff (D-CA), with141 Ted Cruz (R-TX). and Punishment of the Crime bipartisan cosponsors. of Genocide, as well as Human “The Armenian Assembly of Rights Day. To paraphrase Eleanor S.Res.190 America commends Senator Bob Roosevelt, universal human rights Introduced by Sen. Bob Menendez and Senator Ted Cruz starts close to home and unless Menendez (D-NJ), with 28 who continued to press forward they have meaning there, they have bipartisan cosponsors. undaunted and undeterred in little meaning anywhere. Today’s securing unanimous consent to Senate action unequivocally gives adopt S.Res. 150 that squarely meaning to U.S. affirmation of the affirms the U.S. record on the Armenian Genocide and sends BIPARTISAN Armenian Genocide, promotes a strong message to the world genocide education and combats that the U.S. stands on the side of SUPPORT denial,” stated Executive Director human rights,” Ardouny continued. Bryan Ardouny. The passage of the Armenian Genocide resolutions in a nearly “Through their tenacity, they have unanimous manner engendered taken a page from their esteemed support from Republicans and former colleagues Senators Bob Democrats a like. Dole and William Proxmire,” Ardouny added. “With this action, the Senate joins the House and its Voted for H.Res.296 94% overwhelming vote upholding the proud American record of recognition and condemnation of the Armenian Supported S.Res.150 100% Genocide. The Congress of the United States of America has spoken.” Armenian Assembly of America in the News Armenian Assembly of America Board Members and staff were also interviewed on ABC7 Los Angeles (KABC), Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, CivilNet, Public TV Company of Armenia Channel 1 (Lurer), and Al-Arabiya. Resolutions H.RES.296 H.RES.452 H.RES.190 S.RES.150 States that it is U.S. policy Expressing the sense of the Expressing the sense of the States that it is U.S. policy to (1) commemorate the House of Representatives House of Representatives to (1) commemorate Armenian Genocide, regarding the recent free and supporting visits and the Armenian Genocide, fair parliamentary elections the killing of 1.5 million and transfer of power in communication between the killing of 1.5 million Armenians by the Ottoman Armenia, reaffirming the the United States and the Armenians by the Ottoman Empire from 1915 to 1923; critical importance of the Republic of Artsakh at all Empire from 1915 to 1923; (2) reject efforts to associate United States-Armenia levels of civil society and (2) reject efforts to associate the U.S. government with partnership, and for other government. the U.S. government with purposes. efforts to deny the existence efforts to deny the existence of the Armenian Genocide of the Armenian Genocide or any genocide; and (3) or any genocide; and (3) encourage education and encourage education and public understanding about public understanding about the Armenian Genocide. the Armenian Genocide. H.Res.296 passed with a S.Res. 150 passed by vote of 405-11. Unanimous Consent. Van Krikorian testifying before the House Appropriations Committee Assembly calls for $100 million in democracy and economic aid to Armenia New Members on the Congressional Congressional Caucus on Letters Armenian Caucus leaders signed a Armenian Issues letter to the U.S. Secretaries of State and Defense, raising grave concerns Rep. Nanette Barragan (D-CA) Rep. Susie Lee (D-NV) about “the recent dramatic increase in Department of Defense assistance Rep. Anthony Brindisi (D-NY) Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI) for the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Rep. TJ Cox (D-CA) Rep. Tom O’Halleran (D-AZ) clear lack of parity in financial aid to the Republic of Armenia,” which is an Rep. John Curtis (R-UT) Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) additional $100 million in military aid. Rep. Gil Cisneros (D-CA) Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ) Members of Congress signed a Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) Rep.