Armenian-American Community Will Make a Difference in Electi

[Guest]

Editorial: Armenian-American Community Will Make a Difference in Election 2000

On Tuesday, millions of Americans will go to polls and cast their ballots for their candidate of choice. The Armenian-American community is in a position to make a massive difference in election results, if every person exercises his or her right and votes on November 7.

 

Every year, the Armenian National Committee-Political Action Committee endorses candidates who it feels have taken an active role or position on issues of concern to Armenian-Americans. These recommendations are based on extensive dialogue and discussion about issues—both nationally significant and socially beneficial—which affect the everyday lives of Armenian constituents. The guidelines set forth by ANC-PAC clearly address community concerns and provide the voters with an outline of candidate positions on important matters.

 

For the 2000 elections, the ANC-PAC has chosen to withhold an endorsement for the presidential candidates, seeing that neither major party candidate has fully addressed Armenian-related issues.

 

Neither Vice President Al Gore nor Texas Governor George W. Bush has given sufficient cause to mobilize our community on behalf of their candidacies. For his part, the Vice President bears the burden of the Administration's serious shortcomings on Armenian American issues - most recently its heavy-handed pressure on the US House to prevent a vote on the Armenian Genocide resolution (H.Res.596). Governor Bush has not adequately addressed questions about the role that vice-presidential candidate Dick Cheney and other senior foreign policy advisors, who have traditionally opposed Armenian American issues, would play in a Bush Administration, particularly on issues dealing with Caspian energy resources and the Caucasus region.

 

In the final analysis, the policies on Armenian American issues that the Executive Branch will pursue in the coming four years will have less to do with which candidate is elected than with the level of effort by Armenian Americans working within the political system - through Congress and directly with the Executive Branch. The course of action the next president adopts on these issues will depend largely on our community's ability to communicate our priorities in a credible manner and to generate the additional political strength needed to overcome the powerful interests arrayed against our community and the Armenian nation.

 

The key this year to a constructive dialogue with the Executive Branch is not in the choice between the two major party candidates, but rather in our willingness, as a community, to dramatically expand our involvement in the political process. If we take these steps, we will find that both Vice President Gore and Governor Bush can serve as partners with our community in advancing commonly-held aspirations for the Armenian people.

 

In other national races, the ANC-PAC has endorsed the re-election bid of US Senator Dianne Feinstein. Another key Senate race in the country, the battle between First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Rep. Rick Lazio in New York has also received the ANC's attention. In that race, Republican Lazio is the clear choice for Armenian-American based on his record of votes and support for Armenian concerns.

 

The most talked-about and heated Congressional race in the country is taking place in the 27th Congressional district of California, which encompasses the cities of Pasadena, Glendale and Burbank. More than ever, Armenian-American voters are the key constituents whose votes will have a lasting impact on the outcome of the election. The ANC-PAC has endorsed State Sen. Adam Schiff, the democratic challenger to incumbent Republican Congressman James Rogan.

 

The climate in which this year's elections are taking place has been marred, once again, by individuals who after years of inactivity and disinterest in the community have surfaced to proclaim themselves the spokespersons for the Armenian-Americans. Naturally, when something as important as institutionalized memory is lacking, the presentations made have to rely on hearsay, innuendo and gossip in order to move an issue or a candidate to the forefront.

 

The voting public, however, is much more intelligent and will not fall prey to the acrimonious negative campaigning being waged in a community that has the unique opportunity to affect the outcome of elections, not just locally, but nationally as well.

 

Decorum, which is expected within a political campaign has been turned into a war of words, peppered with untruths, pressure tactics and other actions that are foreign to this and other election campaigns. The reason: individuals with little or no political savvy have declared themselves the spokespersons of the "truth," but by spreading canard and lies they are doing a disservice to the community.

 

These pundits have also ignored all national values. While this type of posturing may be attributed to inexperience and ignorance, values such as the memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide are being toyed with, in order to drive a message—the wrong message—to the community.

 

On Tuesday, November 7, the community will steer clear of the damaging disinformation, and will vote its conscience, taking into consideration the key elements of issues, as well as each candidate's stance on Armenian-American concerns.

 

As for the other races, the ANC-PAC has endorsed Decmocrat Jack Scott for the 21st State Senate race, Republican Craig Missakian for the 43rd Assembly district and Democrat Carol Liu for the 44th Assembly district.

 

The growing Armenian population in California is an important bloc in the American political system and its voice should be heard loud and clear. The message should be: individuals who do not support or advocate issues which affect Armenians do not deserve the Armenian vote. Furthermore, a clear message should also be sent to candidates who dance around cooperation with the community, that Armenian-Americans are part and parcel of this country's mosaic and their voice and vote will continued to increase and become stronger.

 

The first election of the 21st century should be marked by increased participation of the Armenian-American electorate. Vote of November 7 and make your voice heard.

 

 

 

2. ANC-PAC Encourages Mass Voter Participation On Election Day

* Endorsement list reflects candidates' commitment to issues impacting Armenian-Americans

 

GLENDALE—With only three days remaining to the end of the 2000 election season, the Armenian National Committee-Political Action Committee released its voter guide, with endorsements in local and national races. Along with the voter guide, the ANC-PAC issued an urgent call for mass Armenian American participation on election day.

 

The ANC-PAC's recommendations are based upon the candidates' past history of support for issues of concern to Armenian Americans as well as their potential to effectively advance those issues once elected to office. The ANC-PAC does not take positions on all races that appear on the ballot, and may before the Tuesday, Nov. 7, elections, add to the list of previously endorsed candidates.

 

"As always, it is of utmost importance that the Armenian American community turn out and vote on Tuesday. It is with our collective voting power that this community will have its voice heard in the halls of Congress and state legislatures. So, to that end, let us all pledge to exercise our Constitutional right and cast our ballots on election day," explained Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian, ANC-PAC representative.

 

Endorsements

 

United States President

 

ANCA Withholds Presidential Endorsement

 

After careful consideration of both the Bush-Cheney and Gore-Lieberman tickets, the Armenian National Committee of America announced that it will not issue a full endorsement in this year's presidential race. Instead the ANCA calls upon Armenian American voters to mobilize and dramatically expand their grassroots advocacy in the coming four years.

 

The ANCA believes that, whichever ticket wins, the next Administration will respond to focused and effective advocacy on issues of concern to Armenian Americans.

 

The ANCA's detailed Congressional endorsements represent an important element of this process by providing Armenian American voters with the information they need to solidify the strong support our community enjoys in Congress.

 

While neither ticket fully meets the ANCA's endorsement criteria, each has given our community reason to believe that it will respond to some of our priorities.

 

Most notably, Governor Bush has acknowledged the "genocidal campaign" against the Armenian people, and has pledged that, if elected, he would "ensure that [the United States] properly recognizes the tragic suffering of the Armenian people."

 

Vice President Al Gore, in contrast, has refused to properly characterize the Armenian Genocide as "genocide," or to clearly indicate how a future Gore Administration would address this immensely important issue.

 

On the other hand, the Vice President played a leading role in the establishment of the US-Armenia Economic Task Force to help expand trade and investment between the United States and Armenia.

 

United States Senate California:

 

Dianne Feinstein (D)

 

United States Senator Dianne Feinstein has been representing the people of California since 1992. With an 'A' grade from the Armenian National Committee of America, Senator Feinstein has proven to be a consistent supporter of Armenian American issues, including the maintenance of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act. In addition to voting for the McConnell-Abraham Amendment to save Section 907 in 1999, Senator Feinstein has cosponsored the ANCA Armenian Genocide Observance on Capitol Hill consecutively for the last several years, and she was also a cosponsor of the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act of 1995. When reelected, Senator Feinstein will serve in her second full six-year term in the US Senate.

 

House of Representatives

 

Lynn Woolsey (D-6)

 

George Miller (D-7)

 

Nancy Pelosi (D-8)

 

Barbara Lee (D-9)

 

Richard Pombo (R-11)

 

Pete Stark (D-13)

 

Anna Eshoo (D-14)

 

Mike Honda (D-15)

 

Zoe Lofgren (D-16)

 

Gary Condit (D-18)

 

George Radanovich (R-19)

 

Calvin Dooley (D-20)

 

Lois Capps (D-22)

 

Elton Gallegly (R-23)

 

California 24th Congressional District

 

Brad Sherman (D)

 

Congressman Brad Sherman, with a consistent 'A+' grade from the ANCA, has been one of the staunchest supporters of the Armenian American community in the US House of Representatives since his election in 1996. A model of vocal activism for the Armenian American community, Congressman Sherman has been at the forefront of the struggle to gain official recognition and affirmation of the US record on the Armenian Genocide. He has continued to fight for Nagorno-Artsax's right to self-determination, and has adamantly opposed Turkish studies chairs aimed at perpetuating revisionism at California public universities. As a member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian American Issues, Congressman Sherman has taken part in ANCA Capitol Hill commemorative activities, and he has shown great perseverance in the face of powerful opposition lobbies in Washington. Congressman Sherman, upon reelection, will continue his effective advocacy on behalf of the Armenian American community.

 

Buck McKeon (R-25)

 

Howard Berman (D-26)

 

California 27th Congressional District

 

Adam Schiff (D)

 

State Senator Adam Schiff, who has represented the Armenian American community of the 21st Senate District for the past four years, garnered the ANC-PAC endorsement in July of this year, as a result of his remarkable understanding of the issues impacting the Armenian American community on both the national and local level. Senator Schiff's ability to initiate innovative and effective measures to address these concerns have consistently been displayed through a number of measures he has co-authored, including a Senate bill mandating the University of California to establish criteria by which to consider foreign funding, gifts and grants to State academic institutions. In addition to SB 1915, which enables the statue of limitations for Armenian Genocide survivors and their heirs in the pursuit of genocide era insurance claims, Senator Schiff also played a pivotal role in securing close to $500,000 for the Armenian Film Foundation from the State of California for the completion of a landmark film series on the Armenian Genocide. Senator Schiff's record and positions on Armenian American issues will make him an advocate for the Armenian American community of the 27th Congressional District.

 

David Dreier (R-28)

 

Henry Waxman (D-29)

 

Xavier Becerra (D-30)

 

Hilda Solis* (D-31)

 

Julian Dixon (D-32)

 

Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-33)

 

Grace Napolitano (D-34)

 

Steven Kuykendall (R-36)

 

Steve Horn (R-38)

 

Edward Royce (R-39)

 

Joe Baca (D-42)

 

Mary Bono (R-44)

 

Loretta Sanchez (D-46)

 

Christopher Cox (R-47)

 

Brian Bilbray (R-49)

 

Bob Filner (D-50)

 

Duke Cunningham (R-51)

 

California State Senate

 

 

21st State Senate District

 

Jack Scott (D)

 

Assemblymember Jack Scott, as the current Assembly representative from the 44th State Assembly District, advanced through the State primaries and has since solidified his candidacy for the State Senate. The ANC-PAC endorsement for Assemblyman Scott is based on his consistent record of fair and accessible representation, in addition to his position on Armenian American issues. As a principal co-author of the SB 1915, Assemblymember Scott ensured that Genocide victims and their heirs have ample opportunity to file suite in California against an insurer doing business in the Ottoman Empire during the Genocide. Jack Scott has pledged to lead the effort in making sure that the Armenian Genocide curriculum is a part of California schools. Additionally, Assemblymember Scott will continue to work on the establishment of a California Trade and Commerce office in Yerevan.

 

California State Assembly

 

43rd State Assembly District

 

Craig Missakian ®

 

The grandson of Genocide survivors, Assembly candidate Craig Missakian has reached great heights professionally, and as the only Armenian American candidate for office from the Los Angeles area in this election cycle, he seeks to represent the community, in which he grew up. With a keen understanding of the issues facing the Armenian American community of the 43rd State Assembly District, Missakian has pledged to work on securing funding for Genocide education in public schools, while ensuring that Hampig Sassounian's case will be treated fairly and that justice will not be denied because of pressures from the Turkish government. In addition, Missakian will work to make his district and Capitol offices accessible to constituents by having Armenian-speaking staff, and he will work to stop Turkish attempts to establish revisionist history chairs at public schools. As an Armenian-American, Missakian will serve his community well, because of the first-hand knowledge he has of the community's concerns.

 

44th State Assembly District

 

Carol Liu (D)

 

The ANC-PAC decision to endorse Carol Liu for the 44th State Assembly District is based on the candidate's stated positions on a host of issues impacting Armenian Americans. With a large Armenian American community residing in this particular district, Liu has allocated time and resources to reach out to the population, while responding to their issues in an appropriate manner.

 

The candidate has expressed her willingness to work toward expanding relations between the State of California and the Republic of Armenia in the trade and commerce area. At the same time, she has pledged to work on a variety of social issues, including youth violence and affordable housing. "In Carol Liu we will have a leader, who will work for those concerns which affect the district and our community directly, and we are confident that we will be able to continue working with this distinguished leader in addressing a number of issues," explained Anahit Stepanian, ANC La Crescenta member.

 

Los Angeles County

 

District Attorney

 

Gil Garcetti

 

The ANC-PAC announced its endorsement of Gil Garcetti for Los Angeles County District Attorney based on the incumbent's record and his pledges on issues of concern to the Armenian American community, including crime prevention, outreach to the Armenian American community, and juvenile crime.

 

"The ANC-PAC endorsement reflects Mr. Garcetti's firm commitment to a number of concerns to the Armenian American community, as well as his willingness to engage the Armenian American community in decision making processes," explained ANC-PAC representative Souzi Zerounian-Khanzadian.

 

County Assessor

 

Rick Auerbach

 

The ANC-PAC, as one of its most recent endorsements, announced its recommendation of Rick Auerbach for the County Assessor's office. "Rick Auerbach has a demonstrated record of effective management, and we are confident that his experience coupled with his fair-minded approach, will enable him to continue the traditions set by his noteworthy predecessors," explained Nshan Bostanian, ANC-PAC representative. Auerbach, who has spent more than 30 years in appraisal and management positions within the Assessor's office, has pledged to maintain an independent and fair approach to all issues.

 

The County Assessor candidate has also presented his plans on automating the record keeping process at the Assessor's office, making records much more accessible electronically to tax payers.

 

 

 

3. ANCA Announces Congressional Endorsements

WASHINGTON—As part of its ongoing voter education campaign, the Armenian National Committee of America has announced its Congressional endorsements for the November 7 elections. News of these endorsements has been distributed widely within the Armenian American community by fax, e-mail and the ANCA Website (www.anca.org).

 

For additional information about candidates running in your area, contact the ANCA Western Region office at (818) 500-1918 or ANCA Eastern Region office at (617) 923-1918.

 

Senate Endorsements

 

Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.)

 

Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.)

 

Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.)

 

Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.)

 

John Ensign* (R-Nev.)

 

Rick A. Lazio* (R-NY)

 

Mike DeWine (R-Ohio)

 

Richard Santorum (R-Pa.)

 

Robert A Weygand* (D-RI)

 

Orrin Hatch (R-Utah)

 

Herb Kohl (D-Wisc.)

 

House Endorsements

 

Colorado

 

Mark Udall (D-2)

 

Connecticut

 

John Larson (D-1)

 

Sam Gejdenson (D-2)

 

Rosa DeLauro (D-3)

 

Christopher Shays (R-4)

 

Nancy Johnson (R-6)

 

District of Columbia

 

Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-AL)

 

Florida

 

Michael Bilirakis (R-9)

 

James Davis (D-11)

 

Illeana Ros-Lehtinen (R-18)

 

Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-21)

 

Georgia

 

Cynthia McKinney (D-4)

 

John Lewis (D-5)

 

Illinois

 

Bobby Rush (D-1)

 

William Lipinski (D-3)

 

Luis Gutierrez (D-4)

 

Rod Blagojevich (D-5)

 

Mark Steven Kirk* (R-10)

 

Jerry Costello (D-12)

 

Lane Evans (D-17)

 

Indiana

 

Peter Visclosky (D-1)

 

Mark Souder (R-4)

 

Maine

 

Tom Allen (D-1)

 

Maryland

 

Robert Ehrlich (R-2)

 

Benjamin Cardin (D-3)

 

Albert Wynn (D-4)

 

Steny Hoyer (D-5)

 

Constance Morella (R-8)

 

Massachusetts

 

John Olver (D-1)

 

Richard Neal (D-2)

 

James McGovern (D-3)

 

Barney Frank (D-4)

 

Martin Meehan (D-5)

 

John Tierney (D-6)

 

Edward Markey (D-7)

 

Michael Capuano (D-8)

 

Joe Moakley (D-9)

 

William Delahunt (D-10)

 

Michigan

 

Nick Smith (R-7)

 

Dale Kildee (D-9)

 

David Bonior (D-10)

 

Joe Knollenberg (R-11)

 

Sander Levin (D-12)

 

Lynn Rivers (D-13)

 

John Dingell (D-16)

 

Missouri

 

Richard Gephardt (D-3)

 

Karen McCarthy (D-5)

 

Nevada

 

Shelly Berkley (D-1)

 

New Hampshire

 

John Sununu (R-1)

 

Charles Bass (R-2)

 

New Jersey

 

Robert Andrews (D-1)

 

Frank LoBiondo (R-2)

 

H. James Saxton (R-3)

 

Chris Smith (R-4)

 

Marge Roukema (R-5)

 

Frank Pallone (D-6)

 

Steven Rothman (D-9)

 

Rush Holt (D-12)

 

Robert Menendez (D-13)

 

New York

 

Peter King (R-3)

 

Carolyn McCarthy (D-4)

 

Gary Ackerman (D-5)

 

Joseph Crowley (D-7)

 

Jerrold Nadler (D-8)

 

Anthony Weiner (D-9)

 

Edolphus Towns (D-10)

 

Carolyn Maloney (D-14)

 

Eliot Engel (D-17)

 

Nita Lowey (D-18)

 

Sue Kelly (R-19)

 

Benjamin Gilman (R-20)

 

Michael McNulty (D-21)

 

John Sweeney (R-22)

 

Sherwood Boehlert (R-23)

 

John McHugh (R-24)

 

James Walsh (R-25)

 

Maurice Hinchey (D-26)

 

North Carolina

 

Sue Myrick (R-9)

 

Ohio

 

Steve Chabot (R-1)

 

Tony Hall (D-3)

 

Marcy Kaptur (D-9)

 

Dennis Kucinich (D-10)

 

Sherrod Brown (D-13)

 

Steven LaTourette (R-19)

 

Oregon

 

Peter DeFazio (D-4)

 

Pennsylvania

 

Curt Weldon (R-7)

 

Jim Greenwood (R-8)

 

Joe Hoeffel (D-13)

 

William Coyne (D-14)

 

Mike Doyle (D-18)

 

Rhode Island

 

Patrick Kennedy (D-1)

 

James Langevin* (D-2)

 

Utah

 

Merrill Cook (R-2)

 

Vermont

 

Bernard Sanders (I-AL)

 

Virginia

 

Eric Cantor* (R-7)

 

James Moran (D-8)

 

Frank Wolf (R-10)

 

Thomas Davis (R-11)

 

Wisconsin

 

Paul Ryan (R-1)

 

Gerald Kleczka (D-4)

 

 

 

4. ANC Project Vote Turns Out the Vote

GLENDALE—The Armenian National Committee of America over the past several weeks has participated in the election process with the firm belief that turning out Armenian Americans on election day will be crucial in making the community's voice heard in decision making circles. With a massive non-partisan 'Get-Out-The-Vote' campaign entitled Armenian National Committee Project Vote, ANC activists have been working to convey to the community the importance of voting. In addition, with all the necessary information provided both in English and Armenian, ANC Project Vote has taken the intimidation out of the voting process. Over the last days left to Election Day 2000, ANC Project Vote activists will be available to answer any questions voters may have. In addition, rides and assistance will be provided to voters on election day. Those voters interested in obtaining more information, may contact the ANC Project Vote at 818.240.4240.