Portantino 1 — Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, Assembly Southern California Regional Council Member Margaret Mgrublian, Assembly Intern Alum Tamar Tujian, Assembly Co-Chair Talin Yacoubian, Senator Anthony Portantino, Assembly Board Member Lisa Kalustian, Assembly Board Member Valina Agbabian, and Assembly Western Region Director David Ojakian

Community Armenian Assembly of America

Armenian Assembly Honors Portantino for Dedicated Advocacy

March 20, 2025

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The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

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WASHINGTON — The Armenian Assembly of America honored California State Sen. Anthony Portantino for his commitment to strengthening relations with Armenia and Artsakh, genuine friendship with the Armenian people, and passionate leadership on pro-Armenian advocacy, on Sunday, March 9, at Chevy Chase Country Club, in Glendale, in an event filled with accolades for Portantino, his Senate staff members and cross-community and organization-wide unity and camaraderie.

“It’s been an honor to represent the [Armenian] community…a vibrant community that respects family, church, culture, and togetherness,” said Senator Portantino, who served in the California Senate from 2016-2024, and in the California Assembly from 2006-2012. “This community maintains its connections and it’s been an extraordinary experience to be welcomed.”

Senator Portantino reflected on his travels to Artsakh and Armenia, and appreciated the opportunity to discuss issues with his constituents in Los Angeles that affect the homeland.

“This is a community where everyone puts a drop and makes it better for each other,” he said. “It means a lot to me to be recognized by the Armenian Assembly of America that does tremendous work.”

State Sen. Sasha Renée Pérez (D-CA), who succeeded Portantino in representing the 25th Senate District, presented the California State Senate Resolution honoring Senator Portantino and commended him as a “genuine advocate,” while emphasizing that he conveys what “good leadership looks like, and that is showing up and being present.”

As a young person interested in politics, she recalled witnessing his powerful work in advocacy as she watched him advocate for the Armenian community to ensure Armenian history is accurately reflected in educational curricula and that the Armenian Genocide is formally recognized on a regular basis. “I recognize I have huge shoes to fill, and I look forward to working with all of you.”

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Assembly Co-Chair Talin Yacoubian expressed that the organization is focused on “strategic planning to react to our present realities,” which includes the ethnic cleansing of 120,000 Armenians from Artsakh and prisoners of war still unjustly held captive by Azerbaijan, among a “host of problems that we have to address.”

“It’s my firm belief that we can only work towards solving these problems if we work together,” said Yacoubian, who noted the recent example of the fires in Los Angeles that brought the community together to help one another. “We need to have this be an example for how we want to move forward.”

Speaking on behalf of the Artsakh Preservation Committee, Alyosha Petrosyan thanked Portantino for his support of Artsakh, particularly when he visited in 2020, and appreciated him serving as a “tireless advocate for the people of Artsakh, and for standing up for what is right.”

“It takes only one visit to fall in love with Artsakh with its beautiful nature, forests, mountains, unique culture, hospitality and people,” said Petrosyan. “And as long as there are people like Senator Portantino, who not only believe in human rights and justice, but also actively take a stand for it, the people of Artsakh will continue to fight for their rights and won’t lose hope to return to their ancestral home.”

Assembly Southern California Regional Council Member Margaret Mgrublian reflected on her first encounter with Senator Portantino and his wife Ellen, when they opened up their own home to host the first fundraiser for the Armenian Genocide Memorial in Pasadena.

“I don’t know any other elected official who has opened their home so kindly and generously,” she said. “Senator Portantino is one of the few politicians who brings everyone together and we thank you for everything you have done for our Armenian community.”

The Armenian Mirror-Spectator

Topics: Armenian Assembly of America

People: state Sen. Anthony J. Portantino

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Assembly intern alum Tamar Tujian noted that Senator Portantino has a “rare and remarkable gift,” and that he “truly belongs to every community he serves.”

“People trust him because he listens, because he cares and because he takes action,” said Tujian. “When a constituent shares a concern or a challenge, it doesn’t just end in a conversation, it often becomes legislation.”

Tujian remarked that the Armenian Cause has “always been central to his public service and ability to direct critical funding to our community has been invaluable,” including the championing of the Armenian American Museum in Glendale, as well as being the only American official to visit Artsakh after the war.

“He met with NGOs, engaged with leaders, sat down with the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia, always asking tough question, and always beginning and ending each meeting with the same words, ‘how can I help?’”

“His love for our homeland, history, and our future, is personal, profound, and tireless,” she concluded.

Portantino, who represented California’s 25th State Senate District, and served in the legislature since 2006, has been a recognized leader in the Armenian diaspora for his advocacy of Genocide affirmation and longstanding ties to the Armenian community. His pro-Armenian accomplishments included strengthening California-Armenia relations, championing Armenian Genocide recognition, holding Azerbaijan accountable for its unjust actions against the Armenian people, traveling to Armenia and Artsakh, spearheading financial support for Armenian cultural institutions and programming, and executing legislative actions.

The program included additional remarks by Assembly Executive Director Bryan Ardouny, who reiterated the community’s appreciation to Senator Portantino and encouraged the audience to attend the Assembly’s upcoming Spring 2025 Advocacy Summit.

For college students interested in attending the Summit, a special Advocacy Summit Scholarship is available. Past recipients in attendance at the event included Maria Galstyan, Karine Grigoryan, Areg Hovhannisyan, Liana Issaian, Celine Khachiki, and Artur Melikian.

A commendation plaque for AGBU Western Region Chair Kev Zoryan was presented by the Armenian Assembly of America thanking the AGBU Western Region for its “extraordinary efforts in the wake of the tragic January 2025 Los Angeles wildfires” and for “opening its doors and welcoming the students, faculty, and staff of the Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School after the tragic loss of the school campus during the fires.”

Assembly Western Region Director David Ojakian served as Master of Ceremonies, and remarks were also delivered by AGBU Western Region Kev Zoryan, Board Member of Sahag-Mesrob Armenian Christian School Ed Haroutonian, and Archpriest Rev. Fr. Sarkis Petoyan, pastor of the St. Gregory Armenian Church of Pasadena, who led the invocation and read a special message of gratitude and blessing from His Eminence Archbishop Hovnan Derderian, Primate of the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America (Western). A video presentation highlighting Senator Portantino’s contributions can be viewed here.

Elected officials in attendance for the event included: Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, CA Senate District 25, Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, CA Assembly District 52, Glendale Mayor Elen Asatryan, Glendale City Council Member Ara Najarian, Glendale City Council Member Ardy Kassakhian (Assembly Intern Alum), and representatives from the Glendale Teachers Association.

Staffers present included Declan Floyd, District Director for Assemblymember John Harabedian, Assembly District 41, former staff member for Senator Portantino; Astghik Hakobyan, Legislative Aid for Assemblymember Jessica Caloza, Assembly District 52, and former legislative aide for Senator Portantino; Arda Tchakian, District Representative for Senator Sasha Renée Pérez, Senate District 25 and former district representative for Senator Portantino.

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