AYF and ANC Join Together In Letter Writing Initiative To Congress

Los Angeles, CA – Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) members from across the Western United States are writing letters to their elected federal representatives to urge them to pass the Armenian Genocide Resolution (H. Res. 106). The letter writing campaign is being coordinated with the Armenian National Committee – Western Region and local ANC chapters across the region.
“We are proud that AYF members are playing a key role in promoting awareness of the genocide resolution among House and Senate members,” remarked AYF Central Executive Chairperson Caspar Jivalagian. “AYF members have been engaged in advancing the Armenian Cause for 74 years, since our organizations founding in 1933. I am proud of the intellect and energy our AYF members are putting into this letter writing campaign to Congress and other efforts related to the Armenian Cause,” he added.
The AYF letter writing campaign has engaged all 12 chapters of the AYF Western Region, from Orange County, California to Houston, Texas; mobilizing over 300 members to collect and personally author correspondence to Members of Congress. The ANCA in Washington, DC is working to ensure that all of these letters are hand delivered to Congressional offices on Capitol Hill. Members of local AYF chapters have been active in encouraging community members to write to their Representative, demanding passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution. Focused efforts have especially been made by the San Francisco “Rosdom” chapter, writing to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Tom Lantos.
“The ANC-WR and our family of local chapters are impressed with the work of individual AYF members in making this Congressional letter writing campaign a complete success,” commented ANC-WR Executive Director Andrew Kzirian. With content rich letters that reveal a deep understanding of the governmental process in our nation’s capital, these AYF members reflect the best of a new generation of Armenian American leaders.”
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AYF Annual Convention Sets Goals And Direction; Elects New Central Executive

Delegates from across the Western Region gather
to discuss new fiscal year.
Glendale, CA – The AYF Garo Madenlian Public Affairs Office is pleased to report on the successful completion of the thirty-fourth annual Convention of the Armenian Youth Federation Western Region. Delegates from the AYF’s 12 chapters convened at AYF Camp, during Labor Day weekend, for a four-day conference to review events of the past year and to set the groundwork for the activities of the new fiscal year.
Joined by representatives from the ARF Badanegan Central Council, AYF Camp Management Board, as well as ARF Western Region Central Committee member Aram Kaloustian and ARF Bureau representative Vicken Hovsepian, the Convention discussed topics of interest including, increasing member and community activism, establishing new means of outreach to a wider Armenian community, coalition building with other human rights organizations and increasing ties of assistance to our homeland. Lisa Baltajian, from the Phoenix “Kedashen” Chapter, stated that, “Coming to Convention allows the AYF membership to actively participate in guiding the new fiscal year.” She further noted that, “Exchanging ideas and constructive dialogue with AYF members from all the chapters allows us to brainstorm and plan strategically what we will put our efforts towards.”
The Convention concluded with the election of the 2007-2008 AYF Central Executive. The seven person body consists of members from across California and will serve to govern the administrative and organizational aspects of the AYF. The body will consist of the following members: Caspar Jivalagian, Vache Thomassian, Shant Melkonian, Knar Kitabjian, Ara Malakian, Tro Krikorian and Harout Jarchafjian. Speaking on behalf of the newly elected body, Caspar Jivalagian said, “We are excited and reinvigorated to get back to work and look forward to a very fruitful and rewarding year.”
Founded in 1933, the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) has grown to become the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization; with chapters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world. Inspired by our past and motivated by the needs of the future, the AYF actively strives to advance the social, political, educational and cultural awareness of all Armenian youth.
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