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PRESS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ February 14, 2001
Contact: Lucy Keshishian
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AADLC Welcomes Addition of Pro-Armenian Members of Congress to House International Relations and Appropriations Committees
New Members Have Solid Records of Supporting Issues Important to Armenian-American Voters
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Falls Church, VA - The Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC) has welcomed the addition of three pro-Armenian legislators to the House International Relations Committee and another to the powerful House Appropriations Committee.
The House Democratic Steering Committee, during a February 7th meeting, recommended and the Democratic Caucus later approved the addition of Representatives Shelly Berkeley (NV/1), Grace Napolitano (CA/34), and Adam Schiff (CA/27) to the House International Relations Committee. On the same day, Representative Steve Rothman (NJ/9) won a coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee.
"The addition of these Democrats friends to these key committees reaffirms our belief that the 107th Congress represents a wonderful opportunity to build on the already solid relationship between the Armenian-American community and the Democratic Party," said AADLC Policy Adviser Kate Nahapetian. "Working with Democratic leaders and in close cooperation with newly elected DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe, we look forward to building a grassroots campaign that will return Democratic control of the House and Senate after the 2002 elections."
"The 2000 election cycle, in which the AADLC committed enormous resources to ensure the election of Democrat Adam Schiff in California's 27th District, demonstrated the capability of our organization," Nahapetian added. "The challenge in 2002 is to replicate this success in other swing districts and states that are vital regaining control of Congress."
New Members of the House International Relations Committee:
Representative Shelly Berkeley (NV/1): Since her election to the U.S. House of Representatives in November of 1997, Berkeley has been an ardent supporter of issues important to the Armenian-American constituents who live in a Congressional District that stretches across Las Vegas and southern Nevada. In addition to being home to the fastest growing population of Armenian-Americans in the nation, including noted financier Kirk Kerkorian, Nevada's 1st District is home to a brand new Armenian Community Center that opened in October of last year. Berkeley, who was endorsed by the AADLC last year, is a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues and also cosponsored H.Res. 398, the Armenian Genocide Resolution.
Representative Grace Napolitano (CA/34): Congresswoman Grace Napolitano was elected to the 106th Congress with 68% of the vote on November 3, 1998. Her Los Angeles County-based district covers several cities and communities in the Southeast and San Gabriel Valley areas including Montebello and other cities with large populations of Armenian-Americans. In the recently concluded 106th Congress, Napolitano was actively involved in the Armenian Caucus, cosponsoring the Armenian Genocide Resolution, and fighting to preserve pro-Armenian provisions in the fiscal year 2001 Foreign Aid Bill.
Representative Adam Schiff (CA/27): Emerging from the most closely watched and expensive House race of the 2000 election cycle, Schiff has long been a staunch supporter of issues important to Armenian-American voters. As a California State Senator, he led efforts to secure almost $500,000 in state funds for the completion of a documentary on the Armenian Genocide. As a new member of both the House International Relations and Judiciary Committees, Schiff will bring enormous energy and innovation to the team of legislators working to advance the Armenian Cause on Capitol Hill. California's 27th Congressional District is home to more than 75,000 Armenian-Americans.
New Member of the House Appropriations Committee:
Representative Steven Rothman (NJ/9): Now in his third term, Rothman has been a longstanding and reliable friend of the Armenian-American community on the House International Relations Committee. The Ninth Congressional District is home to several Armenian churches and includes towns that are home to an estimated 20,000 Armenian-Americans. In the 106th Congress Rothman distinguished himself by circulating a fact sheet to all House members in response to a genocide denial letter he had received from the Turkish Ambassador to the United States. On October 3, 2000, Rothman voted for the Armenian Genocide Resolution when it was considered by International Relations Committee. Rothman joins other pro-Armenian House members on the Appropriations Committee, including Representatives Steny Hoyer (D/MD), Patrick Kennedy (D/RI), Nita Lowey (D/NY), and Nancy Pelosi (D/CA).
The AADLC works with the Democratic National Committee to foster support within the Armenian American community for the Democratic Party and national Democratic office holders, while promoting the election of Armenian American Democrats to political office and encouraging participation by Armenian American Democrats at all levels of the public policy process.
For more information, please visit http://www.aadlc.org.
Please send any comments, thoughts, or suggestions to aadlc@aadlc.org.
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