October 4, 2001

Rep. Nancy Pelosi Front-Runner For House Minority Whip - ANC Members Attend Gala Event

Sunday, September 24, 2001 - Bay Area Armenian National Committee members were on hand at a gala event in honor of long-time San Francisco Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi, as she approaches the final weeks before the Congressional vote for Minority Whip, the highly influential leadership position for the minority party in Congress.

Bay Area Armenian National Committee members Haig Baghdassarian and Roxanne Makasdjian pledged the ANC's continuing support for the Congresswoman as she prepared to ascend to the highest Democratic leadership position in Congress, replacing Congressman David Bonior (D- Mich.), who is stepping down from the position to run for governor of Michigan.

Baghdassarian and Makasdjian expressed their appreciation for Congresswoman Pelosi's role on the House Intelligence Committee as it took up the difficult issues facing Congress in the wake of the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks earlier this month.  Rep. Pelosi said that Turkey's recent decision to allow the U.S. to use its military bases in its retaliation mission, should not result in the U.S. government excusing Turkey for its ongoing human rights abuses and its denial of the Armenian Genocide.

The event was attended by many federal and state officials, including Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-San Mateo), Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Orange County), Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Marin County), Rep. George Miller (D-Contra Costa Country), Art Torres (State Democratic National Committee Chairman), Rep. Howard Berman (D-San Fernando Valley), and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-Oregon).

Many of the dignitaries in attendance took the microphone to lavish praise on Congresswoman Pelosi, about her leadership abilities, her efforts to engage legislators in dialogue about the future of the country, and her friendly personal style.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez  said of Rep. Pelosi "She's right on the issues, she offers help to her colleagues in Congress...  and she exhibits real leadership."  California Democratic National Committee Chairman Art Torres said "She's a real role model.  We are witnessing the beginning of history-making in the U.S.  The next Minority Whip will not only be a woman, but will be from the Bay Area."  Rep. George Miller, who introduced Rep. Pelosi, commended her for her actions as member of the House Intelligence Committee, when she recently called a meeting of members to discuss the terrorist attacks. "It's the first time members had an opportunity to feel for any moment that they were informed and were participating, " said Miller.  "It's that kind of thinking that makes us gravitate towards Nancy Pelosi."  "We know Nancy, we love her, and we have experienced her talent." said Miller about those gathered to support her candidacy for Whip. "We need strength, we need intelligence, we need ability, and we have them all in Nancy Pelosi," said Miller.

In her remarks, Rep. Pelosi thanked individuals, particularly Senator Barbara Boxer, who have worked hard to help her campaign succeed.  She said that her district was one of the most educated and progressive in the country, and that the labels "liberal and conservative" about people's political bent were no longer relevant, pointing to the Democratic representatives from the Bay Area who have taught the rest of Congress so much about technology, the environment, and many other issues.

Regarding the U.S. response to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, Pelosi said, "We have to pray that we have the wisdom to fight terrorism without infringing on our civil liberties, to make sure that no one in our communities feel discriminated against. In talking to many citizens, I'm finding that people want a measured, sane response.  It's important that we're not out for revenge, but out for justice."  She said we must do more to fight poverty in the world, and by doing so, we "offset the fury of despair."

Pelosi spoke of the government's duplicity in the area of social policy. "We tell children they must stay in school, but we don't providing funding for dilapidated schools. We tell people 'Don't smoke," but we don't provide adequate health care.  We tell people they need to work, but we don't pay a living wage."

During the event, ANC representatives had an opportunity to raise issues of particular interest to Armenian-Americans with many of the legislators in attendance.  State Assemblywoman Carole Liu told the ANC representatives about her recent trip to Armenia and her intent to see that the Memorandum of Understanding on trade between Armenia and California be signed and put into effect as soon as possible.

State Assemblyman Tom Torlakson discussed his dismay that the city of Pleasant Hill within his district, had decided to have a sister-city relationship with Merzifon, Turkey.  He said he intends to pursue the issue further. Congresswoman Anna Eshoo discussed the problem of Rep. Tom Lantos' (D-San Francisco) horrible record regarding Armenian Genocide recognition and aid to Turkey.  ANC representatives discussed local issues with Supervisor Mark Leno, who is seeking a State Assembly seat.