CA Assemblymembers awarded for strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenia has awarded California State Assemblymembers Adrin Nazarian, Katcho Achadjian and Mike Gatto with the Mkhitar Gosh medal for their contributions to strengthening U.S.-Armenia relations.

The medals, named for the 12th century Armenian clergyman, writer and codifier of Armenian civil canon and laws, were awarded for the legislators’ “contribution in strengthening and developing the Armenia-U.S. friendly relations and many years of dedication to Armenian issues,” Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan said.

“I applaud the level of activity and accomplishments achieved by our State’s Legislature in all issues impacting California Armenians. With the collaborative work of my colleagues Mr. Achadjian and Mr. Wilk, we formed the first Armenian Issues Caucus in the Assembly and achieved legislation placing the Armenian Genocide in our schools textbooks, to recognizing Artsakh and leading a delegation with the Speaker of the Assembly to Armenia for the first time. I’m proud of the bipartisan work of the Caucus and look forward to many more accomplishments in the years ahead,” said Nazarian.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this award from the Republic of Armenia. I hope my efforts to increase awareness about the Armenian Genocide and self-determination for the people of Artsakh – in service of my community – have strengthened the foundations of the Republic of Armenia and made it a more prosperous nation,” said Achadjian.

“I am so grateful to the people of Armenia for this honor,” said Gatto. “People of Armenian descent have worked hard to help make California’s economy, culture, and intellectual capacity thrive. By working together and building new partnerships, we can strengthen the relationship between these two great states and ensure a more prosperous future for everyone.”