WASHINGTON — A talented and energetic group of 21 college students participated this summer in the Armenian Assembly of America’s Terjenian-Thomas Internship Program in Washington, DC. They gained valuable professional skills interning at a variety of offices and experienced government in action. They participated as well in many local Armenian cultural activities and educational opportunities.
Participants had the opportunity to meet with key elected officials, academics and leading professionals. Through these meetings and the Assembly’s Congressional relations efforts, students mastered the necessary skills to advocate for themselves and the Armenian American community.
Assembly interns met with Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Representative Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Representative Jim Costa (D-CA), Representative Laura Friedman (D-CA), Representative Young Kim (R-CA), Representative Dave Min (D-CA), Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA), Representative Rob Menendez (D-NJ), Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Representative George Latimer (D-NY), and Representative Paul Tonko (D-NY). They discussed issues important to the Armenian community with staff members from the offices of Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), and Tim Scott (R-SC), as well as Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Dina Titus (D-NV), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), this summer on Capitol Hill.
The summer interns took a leading role in the Knights and Daughters of Vartan successful Capitol Hill Advocacy Day hosted by the Armenian Assembly. The Assembly interns guided groups of Knights & Daughters through the labyrinth of Congressional hallways and offices, assisted in articulating community concerns and requests, and provided facts and information as needed.
“Advocating on Capitol Hill reminded me how important it is to engage directly with the people shaping policy. Throughout the Knights and Daughters Advocacy Day, I had the opportunity to actively contribute to meetings with Senator Padilla and several California House members, each one a chance to bring real concerns into the room. There was something genuinely meaningful about sitting across from people who influence national decisions and being able to speak to perspectives that often go unheard, especially on Armenian issues like regional security, humanitarian assistance, and genocide education. These are topics that don’t always get the national attention they deserve and raising them in these spaces is a step toward ensuring they stay on the agenda.” said Nellie Chobanyan, a student at Fresno State University and an intern with the Armenian National Institute.
Assembly interns also attended several important hearings, including the U.S. Helsinki Commission briefing on “Advancing the Armenia-Azerbaijan Peace Deal” featuring Garo Paylan; the U.S. Helsinki Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe hearing on “The Cost of a Bad Deal in Ukraine;” and the Swiss Peace Initiative for Nagorno Karabakh briefing featuring Representative Wilson and Senator Wicker. The Assembly interns also enjoyed the benefit of Capitol Hill Tours lead by fellow Assembly interns Christian Abrimian, Maria Galstyan and Ofelia Yeghiyan working in Congressional offices.
