ANCA-WR Holds Gala Banquet Honors Nancy Pelosi and Many Others
ANCA-WR Gala brought together political and religious leaders, public officials, and community members to honor champions of justice and reaffirming a united commitment to advancing the Armenian Cause.
LOS ANGELES – The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region held its annual Gala Banquet on Sunday, October 26, gathering hundreds of community leaders, public officials, and grassroots advocates to celebrate the region’s impactful year of advocacy and honor individuals whose leadership and service have strengthened the Armenian Cause.
Held at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel, this year’s Gala marked a celebration of perseverance, unity, and policy progress. Attendees were welcomed by Banquet Committee Chair Liliane Arejian.
“Whether you’ve been part of the ANCA for years, or are here for the first time, welcome. You’re a part of this family now, and your presence gives us strength and inspiration,” stated Arejian. “Tonight, let’s celebrate what we’ve achieved together, and look ahead with hope, unity and with love for our people and our homeland, because together we are stronger, louder, and more determined than ever.”
Delivering a national perspective, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian addressed the organization’s work in Washington D.C., emphasizing the enduring strength and unity of the Armenian Cause.
“We are today a force that has been tested by time, yet endures,” stated Hamparian. “A force that has been written off, declared dead countless times, yet rises again, and again, and again. A force that is, today, attacked by enemies foreign and domestic – yet grows even stronger.”
Emphasizing gratitude for the community’s steadfast support and honoring the legacy of dedicated advocates, ANCA-WR Chairman Oshin Harootoonian reflected on the strength and unity that define the organization’s mission.
“To all of you here tonight, thank you. You represent what Hye Tahd looks like in action – commitment, pride, and unity. Just by being here you are helping move our mission forward,” noted Harootoonian. “We dedicate this evening to Apo Saghdedjian and Nishan Kulukian, and honor these fierce advocates that left us. We are proud to commemorate them both tonight.”
Continuing the evening’s reflections, ANCA-WR Board Member Lenna Hovanessian spoke on the growth of the organization’s grassroots network and the collective responsibility to defend the Armenian Cause, the right of return of the forcefully displaced Armenians of Artsakh, and the release of all illegally detained Armenian POWs in Baku.
“With our mission to educate, motivate and activate our vibrant community, tonight we are united by a sacred cause, Hye Tahd,” remarked Hovanessian. “We refuse to let our enemies erase our identity, our history and our existence. that unbreakable spirit lives and breathes in all of us – from Armenia to the Diaspora. Though we all want peace, make no mistake: we are in a David vs. Goliath battle. But peace comes through strength, with accountability and balance of power.”
Among the evening’s many highlights was the presentation of the Legislator of the Year Award to Congresswoman Young Kim, in recognition of her principled stance in support of Armenian rights and justice.
“The Armenian people have endured unimaginable hardships from the horrors of genocide to the displacement of Artsakh’s families. Yet through it all, you have preserved your culture, defended your dignity, and built vibrant communities across California and the world,” said Congresswoman Kim. “Armenia’s struggle is not isolated. It is emblematic of the broader fight for human rights, democratic values, and historical truth that transcends borders.”
The Vahan Cardashian Award was presented to the Armenian Bar Association for its exceptional legal advocacy and steadfast defense of Armenian issues. Board Member Lucy Varpetian, along with representatives from the Bar, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
“We gather here in the presence of a united, resolute diaspora – a nation without borders, bound not by geography, but by history, by tradition, and by an unshakable sense of duty to the people and the land we love,” stated Varpetian, on behalf of the Armenian Bar Association. “May we too find strength in that message – not in the towering heights, but in being deeply rooted in our homeland, in service, and in one another.”
The Schwartz Semerdjian law firm was honored with the Advocate for Justice for his steadfast legal defense of the ANCA-WR in a recent $500 million lawsuit filed by an Azerbaijani attorney.
“This case underscores the necessity to not be fearful of adversaries, especially when standing up for truth and justice. I’m honored and humbled to receive the Advocate for Justice Award, and I thank you for allowing our firm the opportunity to represent this great cause,” remarked Dick Semerdjian, in a video statement.
The Gala also included a tribute to the next generation of advocates, as ANCA-WR Community Coordinator Garen Jinbachian presented certificates to the 2025 ANCA-WR interns for their outstanding contributions.
“The interns remind us that our survival was never an accident, but an act of will, of courage and of voice. The interns don’t just learn about advocacy – they breathe it,” noted Jinbachian, ANCA-WR Community Coordinator. “They are the heartbeat of our movement, the energy behind our campaigns, the voice behind our calls, the conviction behind every letter sent and every truth spoken.”
Longtime congressional ally Brad Sherman also addressed the audience, reaffirming his enduring partnership with the ANCA-WR and his commitment to human rights and accountability in Artsakh.
“I look forward to Armenia once again demonstrating that it is a beacon to democracy and a place where everyone can say what is on their minds and that the freedom of speech is supreme,” stated Congressman Sherman. “Our focus is to demand that Baku release the POWs and demand that the people of Artsakh be able to return to their homes in safety and with protection.”
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi was recognized with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of her unwavering support for the Armenian Genocide recognition and human rights.
Reflecting on decades of advocacy in Congress, Pelosi underscored one of the defining moments of her public service:
“Among them for me, very much at the top of the list, is the day we were able to pass with great bipartisanship the recognition of the Armenian Genocide. That was one of my great moments.”
She went on to praise the relentless civic engagement and unity of the Armenian-American community, adding:
“It would not have happened without your outside mobilization. Know your power in this. That is why we were successful.”
Remarks were also offered by Armen Hovannisian, Esq. of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Central Committee, calling for renewed unity and determination in defending Armenia and Artsakh.
“Let our voices rise high, to speak of our commitment to what those before us set out to do. And let us tell those who live in darkness and fear, who are enemies and skeptics of life, that the Armenians of Artsakh and Armenians everywhere in the world have a fundamental right to live freely, and to live safely – especially in their current and ancestral homelands,” said Hovannisian. “What we must do now in 2025 and beyond is to fight like hell to ensure that the legacy of a land and of a people which rose from the rubble of shattered lives and of a ravaged homeland in 1915 remains not only alive but relevant – and that justice and accountability in all their forms are pursued, and by all means necessary.”
The Human Rights Champion Award was presented to Christian Solidarity International (CSI) for its bold international efforts to protect at-risk Armenian populations and other persecuted communities around the world. Dr. John Eibner, President of CSI, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.
“While I am not Armenian, and most of my colleagues are not Armenian, we are related through the Christian faith. And that is a very, very strong bond and binds us to the Armenians,” said Dr. Eibner. He continued to address the recent alarming crackdown on political and religious freedom in Armenia to say, “Yes, the challenge is enormous, but be of good cheer. There is hope in the David versus Goliath struggle – hope in the eternal spirit of Armenia, the first Christian nation.”
Bringing the event to a close, His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Holy See of Cilicia offered powerful spiritual guidance and reflected on the sacred nature of justice in the Armenian Cause. Aram I was in Los Angeles as part of his Pontifical Visit, marking the 30th anniversary of his enthronement as Catholicos.
“What brings us together tonight is undoubtedly the Armenian Cause. And the Armenian Cause is a sacred cause because it is a cause of justice. Justice is not a human-made reality. It is a God-given reality,” declared His Holiness. “Justice is deeply rooted in the common consciousness of the Armenian people. It is not a mere notion, but it has been an existential and integral part of the Armenian nation. The life and the survival of the Armenian people are so closely connected with justice.”
“The 2025 Gala Banquet was not only a celebration of past accomplishments, but a springboard for future progress. We are energized, united, and more committed than ever to advancing our cause,” concluded Chairman Oshin Harootoonian.
