Washington, DC — Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region Executive Director Michelle Hagopian discussed a full array of Armenian American policy priorities, including efforts to end U.S. complicity in Turkey’s denial of the Armenian Genocide, in a series of meetings with key legislators in Washington, DC. These meetings reinforced the need for a just resolution of the Armenian Genocide to mirror those being held by local ANCA committees in the weeks leading to the April 24th commemoration of this unpunished crime.

Over the course of the past two weeks, Hagopian met with legislative offices from New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, and Wisconsin, building on the ongoing local relationship with Members of Congress from across the Eastern Region. In addition to justice for the Armenian Genocide, Hagopian focused on the vital role the U.S. can play to supporting Nagorno Karabakh self-determination and standing up to Azerbaijani aggression against its neighbors. Hagopian also discussed Armenian American foreign assistance and trade priorities, which were outlined in Congressional testimony by ANCA Legislative Affairs Director Raffi Karakashian earlier this month.

“These Capitol Hill meetings — coupled with the grassroots efforts in states and districts across the Eastern U.S. — are the most basic way the Armenian-American community can continue to cultivate Congressional relationships so necessary in addressing our core advocacy priorities,” Hagopian said. “In the days leading up to April 24, we’ll be following up with Senators and Representatives here in Washington, DC, and back home as we join together to commemorate the Armenian Genocide.”

These meetings were a precursor to visits by the ANCA Eastern Region that will take place on April 24, when constituents will travel to Washington, DC, to participate in the annual Capitol Hill commemoration of the Armenian Genocide, organized by the Congressional Armenian Caucus, with the participation of the Embassy of Armenia, the Nagorno Karabakh Republic’s Representative’s office, and Armenian-American groups. The event will take place from 6pm to 8pm at Hart Senate Office Building Room 902.

Armenian Americans and human rights advocates can urge their legislators to offer remarks at the annual Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance by sending a free ANCA WebMail at: http://www.anca.org/action_alerts/action_disp.php?aaid=62550756