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PRESS
RELEASE
For Immediate Release ~ July 6, 2004
Contact: Shushan Demirjian
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"Armenians for Kerry" Hosts House Parties Across the Nation
Grassroots Momentum Growing for Kerry-Edwards Ticket
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WASHINGTON, DC: Grassroots "Armenians for Kerry" committees joined over 1,100 homes nationwide in organizing events for the National John Kerry House Party Day on June 26th. The events constituted one of the largest coordinated, grassroots fundraising efforts for a presidential candidate in American history.
"Armenians for Kerry" hosted seven house parties as part of this effort in Armenian American communities large and small across the United States. Events took place in Arizona, California, Idaho, Massachusetts, Nevada, and New Jersey. Each of these "Armenians for Kerry" house parties had the privilege of participating in a conference call with Senator Kerry himself, in which the Senator described his vision for the future of America. Previously, Armenian Democrats and supporters had joined together in Arlington, Virginia for a House Party in May, bringing together activists from the Northern Virginia, Washington, DC and Southern Maryland areas. Kerry for President Ethnic Outreach Coordinator George Kivork offered remarks at the Virginia gathering. Fundraising at all of these events was coordinated through the ArmeniansforKerry.com website, which tracks and credits donations for the Kerry campaign from Armenian American contributors.
"I was excited to see the high turnout at our House Party and am increasingly encouraged by the growing interest in the Kerry campaign by Armenians - Democrats, Independents, and even Republicans," said Sevag Arzoumanian, New England "Armenians for Kerry" Coordinator. "When Armenian American voters take a moment to contrast the Bush Administration's terrible record with Senator Kerry's twenty-year track record of fighting for Armenian American issues, they see that their choice is clear. Armenian Americans will go to the polls in record numbers this November 2nd to help elect John Kerry as our next President."
In Watertown, Massachusetts, the Greater Boston "Armenians for Kerry" committee hosted a casual yet informative event at the home of the Arzoumanian family, where Sevag Arzoumanian and Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Eastern Region Chairman Dikran Kaligian briefed those present on the importance of supporting John Kerry's bid for the presidency, and of the unprecedented opportunity his candidacy offers for advancing Armenian American issues as well as for strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations.
Guests also heard of the efforts and activities currently being undertaken, including plans for "Armenstock" an Armenian music festival hosted by the New England "Armenians for Kerry" committees at Camp Haiastan in Franklin, MA this August 28th. The house party also provided guests with the opportunity to register to vote and to sign-up as volunteers for the John Kerry campaign.
Burbank Board of Education Vice President Paul Krekorian and his wife Tamar hosted the “Armenians for Kerry” House Party in Southern California. The reception featured Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Frank Pallone (D-NJ), who spoke ardently about Sen. Kerry's strong record on issues of concern to the Armenian American community.
"Here in California and across the country, Armenian Americans are standing up proudly today in support of John Kerry," explained Krekorian. "The extraordinary outpouring of grassroots support at events like these demonstrates that Armenian Americans clearly understand what is at stake in this election. We have a historic choice this November. Senator Kerry offers an unblemished pro-Armenian record and the prospect of the most pro-Armenian administration since Woodrow Wilson. The Bush-Cheney team, on the other hand, offers only the threat of four more years of unrelenting neglect of, and outright assault on, the issues, interests, and values that are most important to our nation's citizens of Armenian heritage."
At the "Armenians for Kerry" House Party in Ridgewood, New Jersey, guests had the opportunity to discuss the impact on Armenian Americans if the presumptive Democratic nominee were to be elected President. The New Jersey "Armenians for Kerry" committee presented Senator John Kerry's long record of support on Armenian American issues and discussed his recent statements on the Armenian Genocide and the 86th Anniversary of the founding of the First Armenian Republic.
In addition to House Parties, "Armenians for Kerry" chapters across the U.S. have been meeting with local Kerry campaign leaders and coordinating their participation in the campaign's grassroots and get-out-the-vote activities. Some 20 chapters of "Armenians for Kerry" have already organized with additional chapters in the formative stages.
For more information about "Armenians for Kerry" and Senator Kerry's record on Armenian American issues, visit www.ArmeniansforKerry.com
“Armenians for Kerry” works in partnership with the Armenian American Democratic Leadership Council (AADLC), a long-standing ethnic council of the Democratic National Committee's National Democratic Ethnic Coordinating Committee. The AADLC actively fosters 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.
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