Assembly Meetings with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), & Rep. Dale Strong (R-AL)
Washington, D.C. – With Artsakh and Armenia in focus, activists from coast to coast came together in the nation’s capital as part of the Armenian Assembly’s successful 2023 Advocacy Summit, reported the Armenian Assembly of America (Assembly).
Advocates from California, Georgia, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Florida, Texas, Tennessee, Ohio, Virginia, and Maryland gathered at the U.S. Capitol to hold over 100 meetings with congressional offices in response to the crisis surrounding Artsakh and continued threats against the Armenian people. They stressed the importance of U.S. support for Armenia and Artsakh and the obligation to prevent another Armenian Genocide.
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In the Assembly’s meeting with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Assembly Co-Chair Van Krikorian discussed the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor and ways in which the United States can take concrete steps to end it, along with securing a robust aid package to Artsakh and Armenia.
Participants also raised the community’s deep concerns over the ongoing inhumane blockade of Artsakh by Azerbaijan, along with the treatment of and failure to release Armenian prisoners of war, as well as the importance of humanitarian assistance to Artsakh and Armenia. They called upon their elected representatives to support H.Res. 108, “condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and ongoing human rights violations.”
Elected officials shared their remarks on important issues relating to the Armenian people, particularly the blockade on Artsakh
“As a result of these meetings, we look forward to more Members of Congress joining the Armenian Caucus and supporting legislation condemning Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh,” said Assembly Congressional Relations Director Mariam Khaloyan. “The Assembly thanks the greater Armenian community for its consistent activism and passionate support that resulted in an impactful Summit where we presented pressing Armenian issues to Members of Congress.”
During the culminating Hill reception, Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), alongside Reps. Judy Chu (D-CA), Brad Sherman (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Jim Costa (D-CA), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX), and Seth Magaziner (D-RI), applauded the efforts of the Assembly advocates for forcefully representing their community both on the Hill and in their local districts. They stressed the importance of continuing to raise their voices on behalf of Artsakh and Armenia and keep Congress informed.
Armenian Caucus Co-Chair Pallone emphasized the need to continue educating the Administration to formulate policies that take into account the lawless behavior of the Aliyev regime in Baku, while Members of Congress were vocal in their support for Armenia and Artsakh and condemnation of Azerbaijan.
Activists and Members discuss key issues pertaining to the Armenian people
Nagorno-Karabakh Representative Robert Avetisyan conveyed his sincere appreciation for the commitment of the Assembly members who traveled to Washington in order to stand up for the rights of Artsakh Armenians. He noted that the debates over geopolitical calculations complicated relations in the region and that the fundamental human needs and rights of the population to not be overlooked.
In addition to the meetings on the Hill, Assembly also had meetings with the Administration, as well as an opportunity to meet with former U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, Marie Yovanovitch, and presented her with the Morgenthau Award.
Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch with Assembly Leaders
Prior to the Advocacy Summit, the Assembly held multiple briefings and training sessions both in person and online. These educational sessions provided participants with more detailed information about legislation and the legislative process, as well as specific actions to request from their representatives.
