CONGRESSMAN DAN MAFFEI MEETS WITH ANCA AND ARMENIAN-AMERICAN CONSTITUENTS

August 16, 2010

SYRACUSE, NY — Congressman Dan Maffei recommitted his support on Armenian-Americans issues at a district meeting in Syracuse, NY organized by the Armenian National Committee of America Eastern Region. Constituents attending the meeting included ANCA activists Edward Koolakian, Dr. Paul Kardjian, Zarm Taft, Debbie DeSocio, Donna Coyle, Carol Mikaelian Columbus who were joined by ANCA Eastern Region Executive Director Garo Manjikian.

“It was a pleasure to hear the Congressman speak to why he is supporting our issues,” said Manjikian. “As a first year Congressman it was important for both the Armenian-American community and Rep Maffei to meet each other.”

Constituents shared stories of how their families restarted their lives in Syracuse after escaping the Ottoman Empire. Topics in the meeting included the importance of U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide, foreign aid to Armenia, and security of Nagorno-Karabakh. “We thank U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei for cosponsoring the Armenian Genocide Resolution and for his support for ongoing U.S. aid to Armenia and Karabagh,” said Taft.

Congressman Maffei, serving his first term in Congress, is one of 147 cosponsors of the Armenian Genocide Resolution, H.Res. 252, which passed in the House Foreign Affairs Committee with a vote of 23-22 on March 4th.

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Photo (L to R)

Edward Koolakian, Dr. Paul Kardjian, Zarm Taft, Garo Manjikian, Rep. Dan Maffei, Debbie DeSocio, Donna Coyle, Carol Mikaelian Columbus