Western Diocese Hosts A Community Forum With Congressman Adam Schiff

Close to 250 members of the Armenian-American community including Diocesan clergy, members of the Diocesan Council, representatives and leaders of Armenian organizations attended the community forum on April 25, 2016 with special guest Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA), the Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

The Primate attended the community forum accompanied by Diocesan Clergy and members of the Diocesan Council. Also present was the Rt. Rev. Alexei Smith, Ecumenical Officer of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles.

The Taglyan Cultural Center was the venue of the special event hosted by the Western Diocese of the Armenian Church of North America. Attorney Mark Geragos served as the Master of Ceremonies. Congressman Adam Schiff was introduced by Dr. Hrair Dekmejian, Professor of political science at USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and Director, USC Institute of Armenian Studies.

As the evening’s keynote speaker, Congressman Schiff addressed the community on the recent acts of military aggression perpetrated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and pledged loyalty and continued support of the Armenian cause in Congress.

In his closing remarks, the Primate thanked Congressman Schiff for his resolute stance against the military aggression by the Azeris. “For the past 35 years you have been a staunch advocate of the Armenian cause. You have always stood firm and strong in your commitment to bringing the perpetrators of the Armenian Genocide to justice. Today, on the verge of a new aggression and in the face of a fragile cease fire, the peace-loving people of Armenia and Artsakh need the support of influential political figures such as yourself. Otherwise, silence from the world community and ignorance of historical truths and facts poses another form of threat to peace and stability” stated His Eminence in part.  

Earlier this month – between April 2nd and 5th, Azerbaijan’s military committed acts of aggression committed against ethnic Armenians in Nagorno Karabakh, including targeting civilian school children and the elderly. The massive scale attack on the military bases of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic as well as Armenia’s bordering villages have claimed the lives of tens of soldiers and civilians, with hundreds more injured. The premeditated military attacks on Nagorno Karabakh have been targeted on what is historically Armenian land.