COLORADO CONGRESSMAN JARED POLIS REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AFFIRMATION
August 17, 2010
BOULDER, CO – Colorado activists and constituents Vahe Christianian, Jirair Christianian and Pamela Barsam Brown met with Congressman Jared Polis (CO-D-02) during Congressional August Recess to discuss a range of community concerns and rally support for Armenian American issues.
The participants expressed their deep appreciation to the Congressman for becoming the first Colorado House Member to be an original co-sponsor of the Armenian Genocide Resolution – H.Res.252. Representative Polis confirmed he would continue his support.
Among the topics discussed during the meeting were the difficulties facing Nagorno Karabagh and possible Congressional action related to Azerbaijan and its escalating war rhetoric.
“Representative Polis is very well versed in the issues facing Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh. Our Colorado community looks forward to working closely with him in the future. We believe the Congressman can provide a leadership voice in Congress,” stated Pamela Barsam Brown, constituent and founder of the Colorado-based Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates.
In 2008, Rep. Polis was elected to the 111th Congress, representing Colorado’s second congressional district. He currently serves on the House Education and Labor Committee, Judiciary Committee, and the Rules Committee. He is a charter member and vice-chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environmental Coalition, the Chair of the Immigration task-force of the Progressive Caucus, and a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. The 2nd Congressional District is home to a growing Armenian American community.
“Congressman Jared Polis is a staunch supporter of HR-252 and other Armenian related issues – a support derived from his deep knowledge and understanding of the history and conflicts in the region,” said Vahe Christianian. “We are proud to have him represent his Armenian-American constituents, and hope that more public officials will follow suite, learn about Armenia, and mirror the Congressman’s example.”
The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots advocacy organization in the Western United States. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the Western United States and affiliated organizations around the country, the ANCA-WR advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues.