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Washington, D.C. - With a new Administration and Congress, this timely Virtual National Advocacy Conference and Advocacy Week will kick off on Monday, March 8, 2021. Special guest speakers during the conference include Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee; David Babayan, the Republic of Artsakh’s Foreign Minister; and His Excellency Varuzhan Nersesyan, Armenia’s Ambassador to the U.S. The conference will feature in-depth panel discussions on congressional priorities, defending human rights, post-war Artsakh, and preserving cultural heritage. Participants will have opportunities to meet online with their respective Members of Congress and advocate for a robust assistance package to help the Armenian people, including at least $100 million in assistance; enforcing Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act; urging support for legislation calling for the immediate release of Armenian prisoners of war held by Azerbaijan; and garnering support for this year’s April 24th Armenian Genocide statement by President Joe Biden. “The upcoming Conference and Advocacy week are an effective way to make sure that Members of Congress and their staff hear directly from their constituents, and the concerns we all share with respect to Armenia, Artsakh and U.S. priorities to help the Armenian people,” said Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan. “Given the responses so far, I have no doubt that meetings will continue throughout this month,” she added. “It is inspiring to see so much enthusiasm.” Confirmed conference speakers include Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs, Reps. Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Jackie Speier (D-CA). Featured panelists include Armine Aleksanyan, Republic of Artsakh’s Deputy Foreign Minister; Robert Avetisyan, Republic of Artsakh’s U.S. Representative; Artak Beglaryan, former Republic of Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman; Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America; David L. Phillips, Director of the Program on Peace-building and Rights, Institute for the Study of Human Rights at Columbia University; Dr. Rachel Goshgarian, Lafayette College; Dr. Lori Khatchadourian, Cornell University; Jeff King, President of International Christian Concern; Dr. Christina Maranci, Tufts University; Dr. Michael Rubin, American Enterprise Institute; and Amasia Zargarian, The HALO Trust (USA). The Assembly’s National Advocacy Conference aims to reinforce awareness and support of Armenian issues in the U.S. and connect Armenian Americans with Members of Congress and congressional staff. Registration for the Spring 2021 National Advocacy Conference and Advocacy Week is free for the panel discussions and for participation in the “Virtual Fly-In” meetings with Members of Congress (House and Senate) and their respective staff.
Established in 1972, the Armenian Assembly of America is the largest Washington-based nationwide organization promoting public understanding and awareness of Armenian issues. The Assembly is a non-partisan, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt membership organization.
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NR# 2021-15