Washington, DC - The Armenian Assembly welcomed the official announcement today that Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) has joined the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, bringing the total to 133. The news follows an August 10 district meeting with the Armenian Assembly held August 10 in Portland, Oregon.

"As the congressional representative of many Armenians in Portland, I'm proud to be the latest member of the Congressional Caucus on Armenian Issues, an ever-growing group of those of us in Congress who want to give these issues the attention they deserve," said Congressman Blumenauer.

"I look forward to working with my colleagues and the members of the Armenian community in my home town and around the world on issues of importance to Armenians," he continued. Assembly Western Office Director Lena Kaimian, who led this week's meeting, said: "We welcome Congressmen Blumenauer's membership to the Armenian Caucus. He brings experience, enthusiasm and commitment to the Caucus and we look forward to working with him and his congressional colleagues on issues pertinent to the community."

"Assembly supporters worked closely with our Los Angeles staff to encourage the Congressman's membership to the Caucus," Kaimian continued. "I would especially like to thank activists Greg Geokjian and Les Margosian for participating in this meeting and advocating on behalf of our issues."

Congressman Blumenauer, who has represented Oregon's Third Congressional District since 1996, is a well-known supporter of Armenian-American issues. As such, he has urged President George W. Bush to appropriately acknowledge the Armenian Genocide, voted to maintain Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act and supported the Humanitarian Aid Corridor Act.

The Congressman also serves on the International Relations Committee and is a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He joins fellow Oregon lawmaker, Congresswoman Darlene Hooley (D-OR) in representing Armenian-American interests on the Caucus.