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May 15, 2001
Rep. Mike Honda Joins
Armenian Caucus
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Congressman
Mike Honda (left) and ANC-SF member Raffi Momjian |
May
9, 2001 - Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), who is in his first term representing
Northern California's Silicon Valley region, has joined the Congressional
Armenian Issues Caucus.
Addressing
the ANC's May 8th Capitol Hill Armenian Genocide Observance, Honda spoke of his
personal approach to Armenian issues, "I'm a Japanese American third
generation and I know what it is when a government is not paying attention.
I know what it is when a government makes mistakes.
So with that background and experience I bring to you, the community,
myself as a tool to help not only organize but also gather support for the
issues that you care about. I want
to let you know that your issues are my issues because our backgrounds are the
same and our issues are the same."
Rep.
Honda formally joined the Armenian Caucus on May 9th, saying he was proud to
work on behalf of Armenian-Americans. Rep.
Honda joins the other Bay Area Congressional representatives who are members of
the Armenian Caucus: Reps. Anna
Eshoo, Barbara Lee, Nancy Pelosi, Ellen Tauscher, and Lynn Woolsey.
Rep. Honda is a former science teacher and member of the California State
Assembly. He now serves on the
House of Representatives’ Budget, Science and Transportation and
Infrastructure Committees.
Bay
Area Armenian National Committee members and constituents from Congressman
Honda's district met with the representative during his election campaign, a
heated race that drew national attention. Rep.
Honda pledged his support for Armenian issues, expressing a keen understanding
of the need for Genocide recognition and support for Armenia.
At
a meeting with Rep. Honda after his election to office, ANC members and
constituents gave the Congressman a more comprehensive explanation of the
various bills and policy initiatives relating to the Armenian-American
community.
Bay
Area ANC member, Raffi Momjian, said, "Congressman Honda's decision to join
the Armenian Caucus is a great example of how an active and engaged local
Armenian American community can establish the groundwork, provide information,
and create the opportunities for a principled legislator like Mike Honda to
become actively involved in issues of concern to our community.
We have seen the results of these local relationships here in the Bay
Area, throughout California, and across the nation.
The growth of the Armenian Caucus to over 100 members is a testament to
these efforts - at the grassroots level - to educate and energize our friends in
Congress."
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