LOS ANGELES–Armenian Youth Federation – Western Region (AYF-WR) members from across the Western United States are vigorously working to ensure the passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution – H. RES. 25 – as the House Foreign Affairs Committee prepares to mark-up the measure on March 4th. The AYF’s “Teachathon 252” campaign seeks to educate the community about what they can do to strengthen community and Congressional support for H. Res. 252.

The first of a series of community forums will take place on February 28 at 4pm at the Karamanoukian Armenian Youth Center in Glendale, CA (211 W. Chestnut Ave., Glendale CA 91204). The meeting will focus on the current resolution and practical methods and strategies for activism on the issue. The speaker will be Vicken Sonentz Papazian, the former chairman of the Armenian National Committee Western Region.

“We are proud that AYF members can play a key role in promoting awareness of the genocide resolution and rallying support for H. Res. 252 in Congress,” remarked AYF Central Executive Chairperson Arek Santikian. “AYF members have been engaged in advancing the Armenian Cause for 77 years, since our organization’s founding in 1933. We will channel our intellect and energy into this campaign and move our Cause forward.”

The “Teachathon 252” campaign will engage all 14 chapters of the AYF Western Region, from San Francisco, California to Houston, Texas, to conduct grassroots outreach, phone banking, coalition building and petition drives. Efforts will be focused primarily in Texas through the “Dro” Chapter and in the Arizona through the “Kedashen“ Chapter, where there are a significant number of Representatives who serve on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

Members of these AYF chapters have already been active in encouraging their communities to write to their Representatives, demanding passage of the Armenian Genocide Resolution.

“We are impressed with the dedication of AYF members who understand the power of grassroots activism,” commented ANC-WR Government Relations Director Lerna Shirinian. “AYF members reflect the best of a new generation of Armenian American leaders who will be the strongest of advocates for the Armenian Cause.”

Founded in 1933, the AYF, with chapters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, has grown to become the largest and most influential Armenian American youth organization. Inspired by the 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.

The Armenian National Committee of America is the largest and most influential Armenian American grassroots political organization. Working in coordination with a network of offices, chapters, and supporters throughout the United States and affiliated organizations around the world, the ANCA actively advances the concerns of the Armenian American community on a broad range of issues. For more information, visit anca.org

GLENDALE–The Armenian Youth Federation released on Monday, February 1, the Winter 2010 issue of its Haytoug magazine. The issue titled, “Some Things Are Not For Sale,” will be available, free of charge, at community centers, schools, local book stores and the AYF Central Office. See a list of distribution points at the end of this release. For a complete city-by-city list, visit Haytoug.org/impact.

The entire issue will also be available on the new Haytoug website, Haytoug.org, along with PDF archives spanning the three decade legacy of the publication. Haytoug readers can also sign up for a free subscription to receive this and every issue directly in their mailbox at: haytoug.org/subscribe

This much anticipated issue presents a critical look into the uncertain juncture the Armenian nation has come to after nearly two decades of independence and statehood.

This juncture, the proposed Armenia-Turkey protocols, threatens to sacrifice the rights, dignity and interests of the Armenian people on the altar of political and economic expediency. The issue investigates the vested interests behind the dramatic rapprochement between Armenia and Turkey and how the growing disparity between the rich and powerful in the homeland has jeopardized countless years of relentless work in regaining the Armenian nation’s birthrights and legally designated homelands.

Though in this chaos and difficult attempts at democracy, there are many heartwarming stories of hope. In this issue, readers will meet Armenian-Americans strengthening their communities and working toward a better Armenia and members of the AYF’s Youth Corp who traveled to the Homeland each summer to set-up a day camp for underprivileged children.

This Haytoug also includes inspiring stories from the Artsakh liberation struggle. It also brings to readers a passionate call for repatriation, the urgent need for all Armenians to unite and do the work required to ensure the sanctity of our national and historical interests, and to declare that our nation, collective homeland and history are not for sale.