ANC Hosts ‘Meet the Candidates’ Picnic

By Steve Elmasian

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—The skies cleared and the people lined up after church services on Sept. 10 to “Meet the Candidates” and get their delicious shish, losh, and chicken dinners prepared by members of the local Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) and Armenian National Committee (ANC) chapters. The number of attending elected officials and candidates seeking office was as impressive as ever. Candidates and officials present included U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Congressman David Cicilline, former U.S. Congressman Patrick Kennedy, Secretary of State A. Ralph Mollis, State Rep. Arthur J. Corvese, State Sen. Hanna Gallo, State Sen. Paul Jabour, Warwick Mayor Scott Avedisian, Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, Prov. Councilman Michael Correia, and Cranston School Committee Member Andrea Iannazzi. Those running for office included Col. Brendan Doherty (U.S. Congress), Frank Lombardi (State Senate), Katherine Kazarian (State Rep.), Hon. Aram Garabedian (State Sen.), and John Lombardi (State Rep.).

A very large “thank you” to the community for being there as Der Gomidas of Sts. Vartanantz Church welcomed the guests with an opening prayer. George Aghjayan, the chairman of the ANC Eastern Region, gave opening remarks, followed by Michelle Hagopian, representing the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) Central Executive and currently serving as the new director of the ANC Eastern Region.

Every elected official in the state of Rhode Island supports issues of concern to Armenian-Americans, including genocide recognition, and aid to Armenia and Nagorno-Karabagh. The community does not take these lawmakers for granted, and is appreciative of their support, for always doing “the right thing,” and being there for us, when asked.

Citations noting the new record of 84 flag-sponsors were read and distributed to those present. This marks the seventh year the program has been in effect, and a new record of flag-sponsors is reached each year. If you would like to become a flag sponsor for 2013, it’s not too early. Simply choose 1 of the 39 city or town halls in our state, and let the ANC-RI know in whose memory the flag flown should be flown.

A number of others including U.S. Senator Jack Reed and U.S. Congressman Jim Langevin could not make it this year because of scheduling conflicts.