ANCA–WR Annual Gala Honors Advocates for Armenian Cause
BEVERLY HILLS—More than 700 elected officials, dignitaries and community member gathered at The Beverly Hilton for the 2024 Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region Gala – an evening of celebration and recognition of those who have championed the Armenian Cause and raised their voices for the rights of Armenians from Artsakh.
“This evening is about more than recognition,” said Oshin Harootoonian, Chairperson of ANCA-WR.” It is about unity, resilience, and our shared commitment to fight for justice for the Armenian people. Tonight, we honor those who have stood with us and those who continue to sacrifice for our community, both here and abroad.”
Rep. Anna Eshoo accepted the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for her decades of service in Congress. The only sitting member of Congress of Armenian descent, Eshoo who traveled to Armenia with a Congressional delegation led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi following the attacks on Artsakh and Armenia proper, declared, “This is an extraordinary honor and I am very deeply touched to be recognized in this extraordinary way. For over 32 years, we have worked shoulder to shoulder to strengthen the bonds between the United States and Armenia, and whatever the challenges have been, we have never faltered. I am so proud of the work of the ANCA in the halls of congress.”
Rep. Dina Titus was honored as the 2024 Legislator of the Year. Titus’s Greek heritage links her to the plight of the Armenian people through faith and shared experiences and she has initiated policies to help safeguard the people of Armenia and Artsakh, in the House. “I can’t tell you how honored I am to receive this recognition, but certainly it’s not what I have done alone; it is together, with all of you, what we have accomplished,” said Rep. Titus. “I have been engaged in introducing legislation to hold Azerbaijan accountable with sanctions, which has not been done before. We will continue to push holding those accountable, and bring Azerbaijan’s Armenian hostages home.”
The evening was spent honoring not only those in public service elected to public office – those who have devoted their lives to transforming education and journalism were saluted by the entire ballroom – full of hundreds of activists, officials and thoughtful citizens engaged in wanting to make a difference.
Co-Founder of Tumo and AGBU President Sam Simonian received the Global Educational Excellence Award for being a pioneer of innovation whose ingenuity remains a force for peace throughout the world. “It is an honor to accept this award, not just for myself, but for everyone who has contributed to Tumo’s success,” said Sam Simonian. “This moment takes me back to the belief that education unlocks potential. It is the greatest equalizer, leveling the playing field and breaking barriers to success.”
The ANCA-Western Region presented the 2024 Steve Artinian Visionary Activist Award to a trio of Armenian news outlets – Zartonk, The Armenian Report and 301. The award was presented by Emmy Award winning journalist and Fox 11 Good Day LA News Anchor Araksya Karapetyan.
The night’s most poignant recognition came with the presentation of the Human Rights Champion Award to prolific Activist, Entrepreneur and State Minister of Artsakh Ruben Vardanyan who is currently being illegally detained in Baku with other Armenian leaders of Artsakh. His son David sent a video statement on behalf of the Vardanyan family expressing their gratitude for the outpouring of kindness and determination to free all Armenian prisoners and defend Armenia and Artsakh from future threats of violence and any forces that would seek to subvert Armenia’s independence.
