PASADENA, Calif. — Elected officials and a cross-section of the Armenian American community of southern California, including Armenian Assembly of America members and supporters, gathered on January 13 to celebrate the new year at the home of Assembly Southern California Regional Council (SCRC) member Al and Diane Cabraloff. The Cabraloffs generously opened their home to over 125 members and guests for an evening filled with good cheer and delectable food to usher in a new year of effective advocacy on pro-Armenian issues on Capitol Hill and in California’s State Capitol in Sacramento.
Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA-27), California State Sen. Anthony Portantino (D-25), California State Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian (D-46), and Los Angeles County 5th District Supervisor Kathryn Barger participated in the gathering, shared remarks, and presented certificates of recognition to Al and Diane Cabraloff for their exemplary work in the Armenian community and in light of their contributions for the greater good of humanity.
“I’m always pleased to stand with my friends in the Armenian-American community. I’m proud of the strong relationship between the U.S. and Armenia, and I appreciate the important part the Armenian Assembly of America has played in helping to promote and strengthen that relationship. I’m committed to continuing that relationship, including continued support for foreign aid to Armenia, a new double-tax treaty to encourage growth in both countries, and an official recognition of the Armenian Genocide which will finally put our country on the right side of history,” Rep. Chu said. The Congresswoman is a Member of the US House Appropriations Committee, and a dedicated champion of consistent US foreign assistance to the Republic of Armenia, as well as continued humanitarian and de-mining aid to the Republic of Artsakh.
“It was such a pleasure to kick off the New Year with the Armenian Assembly of America. I am always appreciative of opportunities to spend time with this terrific organization and its hardworking and caring members. It’s truly an honor to represent the largest Armenian community in the County of Los Angeles,” said Barger.
On an annual basis during the month of April, Supervisor Barger and fellow supervisors formally salute Armenian Americans making a positive impact in Los Angeles County, in addition to officially commemorating the Armenian Genocide, in partnership with a wide array of community organizations, during a Board of Supervisors session. Notably, in December 2018, Barger spearheaded a $1-million contribution from the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors for the future Armenian American Museum in Glendale.
Portantino chairs the California State Senate’s Appropriations Committee and serves as the founding Chairman of the State Senate’s Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange. In 2018, Portantino secured state funding for six full scholarships available to American University of Armenia student candidates to attend the University of California’s Hastings College of Law.