The Armenian Studies Program web page is sponsored by a grant from
The Bertha and John Garabedian Charitable
Foundation, Fresno.
For
busy college students occupied with classes and jobs, participating in a
workshop to promote participation in the political process
may not seem to be
high on their radar screen. But the Armenian Students Organization organized
such a workshop to bring students face
to face with the challenges that
politics can bring.
Yeghig
Keshishian, Director of the Western Region of the Armenian Assembly conducted
a
workshop on political advocacy with
Keshishian
also presented some of the top issues for Armenian lobbyists
in
The
Armenian
Students Organization organized the workshop as part of the activities
associated with Armenian Genocide Commemoration week at
Following
the
workshop, ASO President Stepan Kyutunyan and Vice President Hagop
Ohanessian, together with ASO Advisor Barlow Der Mugrdechian and
Keshishian,
paid a visit to offices of three politicians: Fresno County Supervisor Debbie
Poochigian, the office of United States Senator
Barbara Boxer, and Fresno City
Councilman Andreas Borgeas.
Debbie
Poochigian is a Fresno County Supervisor for District Five, located in eastern
Poochigian
discussed a variety of issues dealing with her work in
the County. She has been
an active voice in efforts to have the Armenian Genocide recognized and she
emphasized that political involvement
was important and that students should
consider working as volunteers or as interns in political offices, focusing on
the broad local
issues. At the conclusion of the discussion she presented the
Armenian Students Organization with a Certificate of Recognition for
“cultivating
a spirit of appreciation toward Armenian history, culture, and the
Armenian language.”
The
delegation then visited the offices of United
States Senator Barbara Boxer in
the Fresno Federal Courthouse. Tom Bohigian, State Director, Ameen Khan,
Director of Central and Eastern
California, and intern Marissa Kalashian
greeted the
A
productive conversation revolved around how politics were practiced in the nation’s
capital. Senator
Boxer has been at the forefront of efforts to pass a Genocide
resolution in the United States Senate. Bohigian emphasized that Boxer
will
continue to support the issue and call on the President to fulfill his campaign
pledge to support affirmation of the Armenian Genocide.
Bohigian also
emphasized that student involvement in the political process was key to making
changes in the political process.
The
final
visit was to
Councilman
Borgeas is active in supporting Armenian efforts to recognize
the Armenian
Genocide and in general issues of interest to Armenians. He presented students
with a Letter of Commendation for their
“…commitment and desire to strengthen
political outreach and efforts of the Armenian community in cultivating
relations with elected
officials…”
The
workshop and visits to political offices provided students with an inside view
of politics and the importance of participation
in the political process..