September 6, 2001

Congressman Thompson To Join Armenian Caucus

Represents Growing Armenian Community in Northern California

San Francisco, CA -- Napa Valley Democrat Mike Thompson has announced that he will be joining over 100 of his House colleagues in advancing issues of concern of the Armenian American community as a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issue, reported the San Francisco-Bay Area chapter of the Armenian National Committee (Bay Area ANC).

"As part of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, I look forward to working with Armenian American constituents in the first district of California, the Bay Area ANC and fellow legislators to strengthen ties between the United States and Armenia and to open up dialogue on key issues of importance to Armenian Americans," said Rep. Thompson.

Bay Area ANC activists Roxanne Makasdjian and Raffi Momjian had met with Rep. Thompson's legislative staff in Washington, DC earlier this year and had encouraged Rep. Thompson to join the Armenian Caucus and increase his activism on Armenian American concerns.  Makasdjian and Momjian had traveled to Washington along with hundreds of activists from across the nation to participate in the annual ANCA Capitol Hill Observance of the Armenian Genocide.  Makasdjian served as Mistress of Ceremonies for the program.

"We congratulate Rep. Thompson on his decision to join the Armenian Caucus," said Bay Area ANC representative Raffi Momjian. "The Caucus, now with 104 members, is still growing, and - under the leadership of Congressmen Frank Pallone and Joe Knollenberg – we are confident that it will continue to expand its role in educating members of Congress and the Administration about issues of importance to our community."

Elected to the House of Representatives in 1998, Rep. Thompson represents the first district of California, which includes all of Napa, Lake, Mendocino, Humboldt and Del Norte Counties as well as portions of Solano and Sonoma Counties.  Prior to his service in Congress, Rep. Thompson represented California's Second District in the State Senate where he chaired the powerful Budget Committee. He is a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Agriculture Committee.