ANCA-WR Delegation Congratulates California State Assembly for Reestablishing its Select Committee on Armenia Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange

Grassroots Advocacy Culminates in State Assembly’s reestablishment of a Committee Dedicated to California-Armenia Economic and Cultural Partnership; Inaugural Hearing Charts Bold Course Forward

SACRAMENTO, CA – The California State Assembly’s newly formed select committee on California and Armenia Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange held its landmark inaugural hearing at the State Capitol, marking a historic milestone in California-Armenia relations. Chaired by Assemblymember John Harabedian, the bipartisan committee brought together state leadership, community advocates, and business leaders to chart an ambitious agenda for expanding economic partnership, cultural exchange, and principled engagement between California and the Republic of Armenia. The Select Committee comprises Assemblymembers Juan Alanis, Isaac Bryan, Jessica Caloza, Mark Gonzalez, Diane Papan, Pilar Schiavo, Nick Schultz, Jose Luis Solache, Jr., and Rick Chavez Zbur.

Zanku Armenian, National Board Member of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), the nation’s oldest and largest Armenian advocacy organization, offered a crucial check to economic optimism. “Armenian advocates,” he emphasized, “are going to be the reminders that we have to do this in a principled manner–and that’s the American way.” Zanku stressed that sustainable economic growth cannot be divorced from political realities. “We all want to see economic prosperity both here in California and in partnership in Armenia. But making sure that economic prosperity is founded on something that is sustainable and just–in terms of economic justice–is tied to the political situation. We cannot brush the thorny issues under the rug for the sake of just economic advancement. These two things go hand in hand because we need it to be on a very sound foundation.” Zanku referenced ongoing concerns including political prisoners illegally held by Azerbaijan, the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and its Armenian population, and the need for U.S. diplomatic intervention to secure the release of Armenian prisoners and protect Armenian’s right to self-determination.

California Lt. Governor Eleni Kounalakis, serving as Governor Newsom’s representative for International Affairs, delivered remarks underscoring California’s commitment to deepening ties with Armenia. “Since Governor Newsom took office in 2019,” Kounalakis explained, “his administration has worked hard to build upon and strengthen the ties that bind California and Armenia together.” She highlighted concrete achievements: a 2019 framework agreement between California and the Republic of Armenia, “This trade desk is one of only three our state has established, the other two being in two of our largest and most important trading partners, Mexico and Japan. It is designed to serve as a portal. for Armenian companies wishing to learn more about doing business with California and in California.” She also mentioned the opening of the robust academic partnerships spanning UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC Irvine, Cal State Fresno, and USC’s Dornsife institute of Armenian studies. Kounalakis reflected on the profound impact of her own visit to Armenia as Lt. Governor, describing her experience at the Armenian Genocide Monument and Museum. “It was my great honor to plant a tree at the Armenian Genocide Monument and Museum in memory of those who perished in the Genocide. We in California will never forget them.”

The inaugural hearing underscored a singular reality: California is home to over one million Americans of Armenian descent–the largest concentration outside Russia–with Glendale alone representing the largest Armenian city outside Armenia itself. From startups to civic institutions, Armenian-Americans have built thriving communities and economic engines across the state. That foundation now forms the basis for intentional, institutional partnership with the Republic of Armenia.

Addressing the packed hearing, Glendale Mayor Ardy Kassakhian struck the central theme:
“California should not think of its relationship with Armenia as distant foreign policy concern. It should think of Armenia as an economic, cultural, democratic and strategic partner, and it should recognize Glendale as a natural gateway for that partnership.”

Mayor Ardy Kassakhian, whose city of Glendale is home to approximately 70,000 Armenian-Americans–the largest concentration in any single U.S. city–clearly and strongly articulated the economic logic underpinning the committee’s work. “The relationship between California and Armenia is not a one-directional commitment. It is a genuine partnership. Capital, talent, and ideas move both ways,” articulated the Mayor. “Companies founded by Armenian-Americans here create jobs in America as well as Armenia. Engineers in Armenia help California companies compete globally. And this is not aid. It is trade, investment and innovation.” Mayor Kassakhian called for immediate action on several fronts including, including completion of the Armenian American Museum as California’s first major institution documenting Armenian-American history and contributions, formal integration of Armenian-American businesses to the state’s supplier diversity programs from which they are currently categorically excluded and expansion of educational and professional exchanges between California universities and Armenian institutions.

The Select Committee will pursue an ambitious agenda spanning trade and investment expansion, deepening educational and academic exchanges among UC campuses and California State University with Armenian Universities and research institutions, supporting cultural preservation and tourism through institutions like the Armenian-American Museum, rectifying the categorical exclusion of Armenian-American owned businesses from state supplier diversity and procurement programs, and ensuring California’s voice advocates for Armenian sovereignty, human rights, and the release of political prisoners.

The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) stands ready to support the Select Committee’s work. The inaugural hearing demonstrated that California’s Armenian American community–spanning business, academia, local government, and civic organizations–possesses both the expertise and commitment to chart a new era of California-Armenia partnership. As Mayor Kassakhian concluded: “The bridge already exists. It was built by survivors, immigrants, entrepreneurs, and families over more than a century. Our task now is to strengthen it, to complete it, and to make sure it carries opportunity in both directions for generations to come.”