ANCA Desk: Leo Sarkisian intern Tamar Purut Shares Her Impressions

ANCA Leo Sarkisian intern Tamar Purut shares her impressions of the program below.

In a matter of just a few short weeks, I have made lifelong friendships with the most genuine and devoted group of people thanks to this summer’s Leo Sarkisian Internship program. My knowledge of Hai Tahd has developed significantly following my arrival. Working at the most influential Armenian-American grassroots political organization, I have learned that it is critical to maintain a distinct set of goals. To name a few, one must consistently work to foster public awareness in support of a free, independent, and united Armenia while also guiding United States policy on matters of interest to the Armenian-American community. As advocates for Hai Tahd, we must represent the collective Armenian-American perspective on matters of public policy, while serving as a liaison between the community and its elected officials.

The ANCA, in particular, participates in an array of political and educational activities, and initiates legislation on issues of concern to our community, such as strengthening Armenia as a secure, prosperous, and democratic state; supporting Nagorno-Karabagh’s right to self-determination and independence within secure borders; increasing U.S. aid levels to Armenia to promote economic and democratic development; securing direct U.S. aid to Nagorno-Karabagh; ensuring the appropriate commemoration of the Armenian Genocide; and encouraging Turkey and Azerbaijan to lift their blockades and adhere to international standards for human rights and humanitarian practices.

Our participation in the American electoral process at the federal, state, and local levels by educating elected officials on our issues and providing Armenian-American voters with updated information regarding the positions of candidates on our concerns is also necessary.

As Leo Sarkisian interns, our first task was to sort through a year’s worth of Armenian newspapers and find articles that acknowledged a given Congressperson and/or Representative’s contributions to the Armenian community. We later hand-delivered copies of the articles with corresponding cover letters to the Representatives’ offices on Capitol Hill. Seeing the entire process through, from start to finish, was extremely rewarding. Working together also allowed us to get to know one another and quickly become dear friends. Following this newspaper project, we were each assigned an individual project tailored to fit our interests. My assignment is to hone in on the current situation of Armenians and non-Muslims in Turkey, as well as to identify each of the Armenian properties that were confiscated by the Turkish government.

I have grown to adore the environment and people I am surrounded with in this breathtaking city, and am not looking forward to it all ending, as I have made some of the best memories here with my family-away-from-home. They welcomed me into the community with open arms and were thoughtful enough to surprise me last week on my 21^st birthday. I had a smile from ear to ear plastered on my face for the entire day. I still have not managed to wipe it off. Frankly, I do not plan to. There is much too much to smile about when you are doing what you love, with love, surrounded by the people you love.