Ending in Style
The final week for the AAA interns of 2008 saw an action packed, eventful last few days culminating in a grand farewell party at the residences.
The beginning of the week's leisure activities included a meal out at D.C.'s famous Thai restaurant, Meiwah, courtesy of the Assembly, with Director Brian Ardouny present along with Program Manager, Joe Piatt and Grass Roots Developer, Taniel Koushakjian.
The evening saw the interns make use of the great weather and take a tour of the D.C. monuments by night time - a beautiful sight and an enthralling experience for all who took part.
And so August 2nd arrived, and with it, the departure of all 18 interns back to their respective homes and lives around the country and the world. It was a special eight weeks in which time the interns were lucky enough to meet many great people, visit many beautiful places and to be in an amazing city with fellow compatriots, learning a tremendous amount of life experiences which they shall each cherish for ever and shall never forget.Click here to read more
Two great men
In the final week's festivities, the interns were lucky enough to visit two great Armenian men of the community and gain an insight into their work and their lives.
Firstly, the interns had the great honour of visiting the Library of Congress where they met with an Armenian and Georgian Area Specialist, Dr. Levon Avdoyan. He showed the interns around the historical building and then sat them down for an in-depth discussion on Armenian issues and the library's link with Armenia.
The next meeting was with Dean V. Shahinian, Senior Counsel on the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs. Mr. Shahinian treated the interns to an hour long briefing in a Senate hearing room, giving the interns a chance to find out about his sector of work, whilst of course simultaneously discussing many important Armenian issues.Click here to read more
V.I.P. treatment for interns in final week on the Hill
The final week for the interns saw more more meetings with Congressman on the Hill, including an access all areas tour of the Capitol from Congressman Ed Royce (R-CA).
The first meeting was with Congressman Schiff (D-CA)on the steps of the Captiol. Rep. Schiff (D-CA) is pro-Armenian issues as he represents California's 29th Congressional District, including the communities of Alhambra, Altadena, Burbank, Glendale, Griffith Park, Monterey Park, Pasadena, San Gabriel, South Pasadena, and Temple City - home to the highest population of the Armenian diaspora.
Following this was a meeting with the boss of one of our interns, Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY). Again, he represents an area of NYC where there are high numbers of Armenians as well as sitting on the Committee on Foreign Affairs, covering many issues relating to Armenia and the Caucuses.
The final meeting of the week with Congressman Royce (R-CA) was perhaps the most memorable as the interns were treated to a personal tour of the Capitol from the Congressman. The representative of California, gave the interns v.i.p. access to parts of the Capitol Building which only members were allowed to enter, hence providing the interns with the opportunity of a lifetime and views of D.C. from the balcony which were second to none.
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