Armenian Assembly of America Internship Program 2008

Ending in Style

2008-08-27T12:24:00.004-04:00

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.

Two great men

2008-08-27T12:04:00.007-04:00

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.

V.I.P. treatment for interns in final week on the Hill

2008-08-27T11:38:00.006-04:00

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.

Meetings on the Hill continued

2008-07-14T11:58:00.003-04:00

Throughout the internship, the interns have been meeting up with many Congressmen and women. This past week saw two meetings on the Hill; with Congressman Knollenberg and Congresswoman Speier.

Congressman Knollenberg, from Michigan's 9th district, was elected to Congress in 1992 and is the ranking member on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, as well as being the Co-Chair of the Armenian Caucus.

Congresswoman Jackie Speier, from San Fransisco, whose mother is Armenian, represents the 12th district of California, and was recently elected in April, winning the special election for the vacated United States House of Representatives seat of late Congressman Tom Lantos.

Landing on home soil - Embassy Tour

2008-07-14T11:01:00.006-04:00

Tuesday, July 8 saw the interns step onto a piece of their homeland, visiting the Embassy of Armenia in Washington D.C.

The group was given a VIP tour of the building and its grounds by Counselor Varuzhan Nersessian, followed by a meeting and question and answer time with the Ambassador, H.E. Tatoul Markarian.

The four storey, 20th century building is home to a stunning array of Armenian historical artifacts and literature both donated and purchased from Armenia itself. The building contains a museum type sitting room on the ground level, whilst there is a conference/dining room on the second floor where many events are hosted regularly by the Embassy.

The Republic of Armenia established its diplomatic mission in the United States in February 1992. Alexander Arzoumanian served as Charge d'Affaires ad interim (temporary chief of mission) until February 1993. Rouben Shugarian was appointed the first Armenian Ambassador to the United States in February 1993, and Dr. Arman Kirakossian replaced him as Ambassador in November 1999. Tatoul Markarian has served as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenepotentiary to the U.S. since March 2005.

The Armenian Embassy to the United States represents the Republic of Armenia and is working to promote strong and friendly relations with the U.S., playing an active role in advancing close and mutually beneficial ties in political, economic, military, commercial, cultural and other areas.

The Embassy’s diplomatic staff is responsible for advocating Armenia’s political, economic and commercial interests with the United States Government and within multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States, etc. The Embassy’s activities are aimed at consolidating and strengthening the comprehensive ties between Armenia and the American Armenian community. The Embassy promotes awareness of ancient and rich Armenian culture, sponsoring and organizing concerts, exhibitions, lectures and presentations. The Embassy provides variety of consular services to American and Armenian citizens.

White House Tour

2008-07-03T14:51:00.004-04:00

A group of the interns were lucky enough to take a tour of the White House last week.
The twenty minute tour went through various rooms in the house, concluding with an exit from the front door. The remaining interns will be visiting the White House next week. Watch this space for more photos!

Interns’ activities

2008-07-03T12:49:00.008-04:00

Throughout the last four weeks the interns have been working very hard and have deservedly enjoyed themselves when the weekend has arrived, by taking part in many different activities.

Canoeing, sightseeing, restaurants and even a birthday party have kept the Armenians busy on their days off from work, whilst also helping them de-stress from the week’s intense endeavors.

Canoeing and kayaking on the Potomac River was a treat for everyone who took part on Saturday June 14th. It was a fantastic day, the sun was out in full force, and the light breeze on the water helped to keep those with the paddles cool. A peaceful two hours was spent on the main River in D.C. as the interns paired up into boats and took to the water, going as far down as the Lincoln Memorial.

Numerous trips were also made to the monuments in Washington D.C. where one day is never enough to cover all the amazing sights of interest. Interns visited the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument, the National War Memorial, the Capitol Building, and many other famous landmarks around the city.

Being Armenian, the interns all share the same passion for food and have therefore been to many different restaurants across the city, tasting the wide range of cuisine available to them including Mexican, American, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Malaysian and of course Armenian, at the famous Moby Dick’s Kebab House on M Street.

ANC hosts interns mixer

2008-07-03T11:31:00.006-04:00

The final Friday of June saw the 2008 Armenian Assembly of America (AAA) Interns visit the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) Interns at their offices in DuPont Circle.

The ANCA kindly volunteered to host the reception where the two groups of students were able to meet one another whilst enjoying the delicious array of food and drink that had been prepared.

The ANCA is a grass roots level lobbying group based in D.C., which works hard to recognize and make changes for the Armenian people of America and the rest of the world.

The interns bonded well with each other (as would be expected from tow groups of young Armenians) as they ate, drank, played ice-breaker games and listened to Armenian music, whilst enjoying one another’s company in the hospitable top floor office turned makeshift party room.

On behalf of the AAA interns, special thanks goes out to the ANCA’s members, hosts and interns for putting on such a great night and for their generosity and warmth. We hope that the bond between the two groups continues to grow and that there will be many more occasions where the interns can come together once more.

Interns meet Congressman Pallone on the Hill

2008-07-02T13:20:00.004-04:00

Wednesday June 25th saw the interns gather on Capitol Hill to meet with Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. who is a co-chair of the Armenian Caucus and extremely pro Armenian issues.

The interns had a brief twenty minute meeting with Congressman Pallone, during which they were able to gain an insight into his personal opinions regarding the Armenian issues at present.

Congressman Pallone represents New Jersey's Sixth Congressional District in his tenth full term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In the 110th Congress, Rep. Pallone (D-NJ) continues to serve as a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over issues pertaining to energy, environment, health care, commerce and telecommunications. In January 2007, Pallone was chosen by his colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee to chair the powerful Subcommittee on Health.

After a photo opportunity on the steps of the Capitol made available by Voice of America, the interns visited the Cannon House Office Building where they were greeted by the ever-friendly Congressman Pallone.

Allison Sadoian, from Fresno, CA, asked Pallone if he thought Presidential candidate Senator Obama would fight for U.S. recognition of the WW1 atrocities in Armenia in 1915 as 'Genocide,' as he has promised to do in his ongoing campaign.

Congressman Pallone replied by stating that the current administration, as well as previous ones, have stressed the importance of U.S. recognition of the Armenian Genocide during their respective Presidential campaigns. Pallone mentioned that once elected, however, Presidents, along with their administrations, have almost "forgotten" about the promises they made during their campaign, and as often has been the case, the issue has been swept under the carpet.

Congressman Pallone was also asked whether or not the proposed Nabucco oil and gas pipeline in the Caucasus could potentially run through Armenia. He replied by stating that the Armenian conflict with Azerbaijan over Nagorno Karabakh would have to be settled first if there were any chance of the pipeline running via Armenia, a prospect which seems almost impossible in the near future.

Intern List

2008-07-01T14:48:00.009-04:00

The following is a list of all the 2008 interns, their place of study and where they will be interning for the next two months.

The 2008 Terjenian-Thomas Assembly Interns:

Adrine Akopyan, UCLA, Congressman Adam Schiff
Helen Avunjian, UCLA, Armenian National Institute
Maral Balayan, MIU, Armenian Assembly of America
Armena Ballard, UPENN, Congressman Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Vatche Cherchian, City University London, Armenian Embassy
Christie Chorbajian, University of Maryland, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr.
Hamazasp Danielyan, Yerevan State University, Policy Forum Armenia
Carissa Greenberg, Gonzaga University of Law, Armenian Assembly of America
Lisa Haidostian, University of Michigan, Climatewire
Talar Hovnanian, UCSD, Center of Immigration Studies
Amalya Hovsepyan, Yerevan State University, Voice of America
Teny Josephbe, UCSD, Library of Congress
Allison Khederian, Williams College, Armenian International Policy Research Group
Sarah Khederian, George Washington University, Senator John Kerry (D-MA)
Elina Khodorkovsky, USC, Office of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic
Allison Sadoian, CSU Fresno, Congressman George Radanovich (R-CA)
Lauren Sarkesian, University of Michigan, Senate Sub-Committee for Investigation
Ari Zartarian, University of Michigan, Congressman Joseph Crowley (D-NY)

Armenians arrive in D.C.

2008-06-25T15:09:00.006-04:00

June 4th 2008 saw the beginning of the arrival of young Armenians in their penultimate year of study at university. There are a total of 18 interns in this year’s program, who all live together in the dorms at Georgetown University Campus in vibrant Georgetown, Washington D.C., along with intern coordinator Mr. Haig Kherlopian.

Each intern on the program works Monday through Friday at his or her respective place of work, ranging from interning with Congressmen and women on the Hill, to working at the Assembly offices, to working at the Armenian Embassy. Friday spells the end of the work week and the beginning of the weekend where the group partakes in many different activities the city has to offer including restaurants, bars, clubs, leisure activities and of course the grand sight-seeing opportunities available in D.C.

Throughout the internship, there will be meetings with Congressmen and women, representatives from the government, and talks with people of specific interest to the Armenian community; and so there will generally be a lot of things to do, see, and people to hear.

This blog has been created by the interns in order for us to share our experiences, memories, photos and convey the general on goings of our two month long internships.