ANCA-Eastern Mass. discusses community concerns with Rep. Clark

PanARMENIAN.Net - Activists with the Armenian National Committee - Eastern Massachusetts met with newly elected representative Katherine Clark (D-MA-5) in her district last week to mark the first meeting between ANC activists and Congresswoman Clark who won in a special election to replace long-standing former Representative, now-Senator Edward Markey (D) last fall.

Activists Dikran Kaligian, ANC of Eastern Massachusetts chair, Michael Kouchakdjian and ANC Eastern Region Board Member Tamar Kanarian, all constituents of the Fifth Congressional district, spoke with Clark about a number of important issues of concern to Armenian American, including U.S. aid to Armenia, Artsakh, and Javakhk, and the recognition of Nagorno Karabakh as an independent state. Just days prior to the introductory meeting, Rep. Clark co-sponsored H.Res.227, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution.

“The strength of Massachusetts is our people and our proud diversity," stated Congresswoman Clark. "The Armenian community is a vital part of this district; it is unique and strong. I’m proud to be a friend of the community, and I am eager to continue our work together in building a brighter future for all Massachusetts families.”

“We look forward to building upon our first meeting with Congresswoman Clark since she took office and to cooperating on a broad range of community concerns," said Kanarian. “We warmly welcome her to our Commonwealth's strongly supportive Congressional delegation and are eager to support her leadership, as a U.S. Representative, in advancing the policy priorities of her Armenian American voters."

“We are excited to work with Rep. Clark and introduce her to our extended Boston community,” said Kaligian. “We believe there is a real opportunity for Congresswoman Clark to win the support of the Armenian Americans in her district and will work diligently with her office to build that relationship.”

Congresswoman Katherine Clark won the special election primary on October 15 and the special election on December 10 to finish then Representative Ed Markey’s term upon his election as Senator in June 2013.

She represents the Fifth Congressional District of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Heavily Armenian-populated cities and towns in her district include Watertown, Waltham, Belmont, Lexington, Arlington, Cambridge, Framingham, Lincoln, Winchester, and Woburn.