Hye Sharzhoom Armenian Action
Staff Report
For busy college students occupied with classes and jobs, participating in a workshop to promote participation in the political process may not seem to be high on their radar screen. But the Armenian Students Organization organized such a workshop to bring students face to face with the challenges that politics can bring.
Yeghig Keshishian, Director of the Western Region of the Armenian Assembly conducted a workshop on political advocacy with Fresno State students on Wednesday, April 22. His presentation included a practical discussion on why advocacy is important and how bills and resolutions are developed in Congress. His power-point presentation gave an overview of grassroots lobbying and its importance in the political process.
Keshishian also presented some of the top issues for Armenian lobbyists in Washington D.C.: U.S. assistance to Armenia, Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act, elimination of blockades and regional cooperation and energy security for Armenia, U.S. assistance to Karabagh, Turkey and Article 301, the Karabagh peace process, and the Armenian Genocide. The Armenian Students Organization organized the workshop as part of the activities associated with Armenian Genocide Commemoration week at Fresno State.
Following the workshop, ASO President Stepan Kyutunyan and Vice President Hagop Ohanessian, together with ASO Advisor Barlow Der Mugrdechian and Keshishian, paid a visit to offices of three politicians: Fresno County Supervisor Debbie Poochigian, the office of United States Senator Barbara Boxer, and Fresno City Councilman Andreas Borgeas.
Debbie Poochigian is a Fresno County Supervisor for District Five, located in eastern Fresno County. She is married to former State Senator Chuck Poochigian and her father was former Fresno County Supervisor Deran Koligian. Poochigian graduated from Fresno State where she received her bachelor’s degree and two teaching credentials.
Poochigian discussed a variety of issues dealing with her work in the County. She has been an active voice in efforts to have the Armenian Genocide recognized and she emphasized that political involvement was important and that students should consider working as volunteers or as interns in political offices, focusing on the broad local issues. At the conclusion of the discussion she presented the Armenian Students Organization with a Certificate of Recognition for “cultivating a spirit of appreciation toward Armenian history, culture, and the Armenian language.” The delegation then visited the offices of United States Senator Barbara Boxer in the Fresno Federal Courthouse. Tom Bohigian, State Director, Ameen Khan, Director of Central and Eastern California, and intern Marissa Kalashian greeted the Fresno State group. As State Director, Bohigian is responsible for supervising Boxer’s California operations and has worked for Senator Boxer since 1993. A lifelong resident of Fresno, Bohigian holds a degree in Journalism from Fresno State.
A productive conversation revolved around how politics were practiced in the nation’s capital. Senator Boxer has been at the forefront of efforts to pass a Genocide resolution in the United States Senate. Bohigian emphasized that Boxer will continue to support the issue and call on the President to fulfill his campaign pledge to support affirmation of the Armenian Genocide. Bohigian also emphasized that student involvement in the political process was key to making changes in the political process.
The final visit was to Fresno City Hall and a meeting with Fresno City Councilman Andreas Borgeas, newly elected to the Second Council District of Fresno. Councilman Borgeas discussed with the group some plans for upcoming activities in Fresno, that involve Armenians. On June 5 and 6 the City is coordinating HyeFest, a festival of Armenian culture in downtown Fresno. Efforts are also underway to increase ties with the Republic of Armenia through a variety of initiatives.
Councilman Borgeas is active in supporting Armenian efforts to recognize the Armenian Genocide and in general issues of interest to Armenians. He presented students with a Letter of Commendation for their “…commitment and desire to strengthen political outreach and efforts of the Armenian community in cultivating relations with elected officials…”
The workshop and visits to political offices provided students with an inside view of politics and the importance of participation in the political process..