Members of Congress Toast to 25 Years of Armenian Independence

By Contributor on September 22, 2016 in Headline, News // 0 Comments // 

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Armenian Embassy Celebration on Capitol Hill Draws Congressional Friends, Community Leaders

WASHINGTON—House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-Calif.), Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), and the bipartisan leadership of the Congressional Armenian Caucus joined the Armenian-American leaders in toasting Armenia’s 25^th anniversary of independence, at a Capitol Hill celebration hosted by the Embassy of Armenia, reported the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA).

Cutting the celebratory cake (Photo: ANCA)

The program featured warm toasts by legislators, congratulating Armenia on a quarter century of independence and pledging continued partnership in further developing the U.S.-Armenia relationship, supporting Artsakh’s (Nagorno-Karabagh/NKR) freedom, and ending U.S. complicity in Ankara’s denial of the Armenian Genocide.  Ambassador Grigor Hovhanissian hosted the Congressional program, offering his own inspirational words regarding the U.S.-Armenia partnership, and inviting each legislator to offer their toast to mark this historic occasion.

In his remarks, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian noted that, “when the Armenians look back up on the early years of their homeland’s reborn independence, they will surely remember and fondly recall the help of their American friends.” He went on to share the many ways in which America has assisted Armenia—from post-earthquake humanitarian aid to technical economic assistance and an aid-to trade transition that has brought unprecedented levels of U.S. investment to Armenia.

Hamparian emphasized the Armenian people’s commitment to regional peace, highlighting the commitment of both Yerevan and Stepanakert to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) peace process for Nagorno-Karabagh and the Royce-Engel proposals to strengthen the cease-fire.  He closed by emphasizing Armenia’s reciprocation of American generosity, noting the high level of Armenian participation in peacekeeping operations—from Iraq and Afghanistan to Kosovo and Lebanon, Armenia’s partnership with the United States on nuclear safety challenges, and Armenia’s leadership in addressing the Syria crisis by serving as a safe haven for at risk minorities.

A video of Hamparian’s remarks is available below.

Members of Congress joining Chairman Royce and Senator Menendez in toasting Armenia’s 25th anniversary were Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) and Jackie Speier (D-Calif.), Vice-Chairs Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and David Trott (R-Mich.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), and Brad Sherman (D-Calif.).

Photos from the Capitol Hill celebration are available on the ANCA Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10154081494666859.1073741973.16968936858&type=1&l=97a7569701