BURBANK, California – Residents from across California’s 25th Senate District joined the Armenian National Committee of America’s (ANCA) Burbank, Glendale, La Crescenta, Pasadena, Hollywood and San Fernando Valley – East chapters at a community meeting to participate in a conversation with California State Senator Anthony Portantino for an update on state legislation impacting the residents and a host of other issues of concern.
“It was a pleasure to speak with friends in the Armenian-American community about issues of concern to them,” remarked Senator Anthony Portantino. “I look forward to continuing to work with the ANCA and its local chapters to ensure the Armenian community’s voice is represented in Sacramento. I remain committed to empowering the local Armenian community by securing support for schools, community centers, and community-led programs – and will continue to stand in solidarity with the Armenian people amidst Azerbaijan’s relentless aggression against the people of Artsakh, using every means at our disposal to hold Baku’s regime to account.”
During the discussion, which was followed by a Q&A, Senator Portantino reaffirmed his solidarity with the Armenian-American community amidst Azerbaijan’s blockade of Artsakh – which has left the region’s 120,000 Armenians without access to food, fuel, medical supplies and other vital goods for over 60 days in freezing conditions. Senator Portantino also described his experiences from his four visits to Artsakh and is the only U.S. elected official to visit Artsakh after the war in 2020.
“We are grateful for Senator Portantino’s tireless support for his Armenian constituents throughout his tenure in office,” remarked ANCA Burbank Chair Sarkis Simonian. “From his support for our local schools and community institutions, to his outspoken advocacy for the fundamental rights of the people of Artsakh – Armenian-Americans have a close friend and ally in Senator Portantino.”
Senator Portantino represents the California State Senate’s 25th District – the most densely Armenian-populated district in the state legislature. The district includes parts of Glendale, Pasadena, Sunland-Tujunga, La Crescenta, Montrose, and most of Burbank.
“Senator Portantino has long been committed to being a voice for the Armenian-American community in the State Senate,” remarked ANCA Glendale Chair Lucy Petrosian. “In these trying times for the Armenian people and nation, we look forward to continuing to work with him to empower our community’s collective voice in the State Senate.”
Senator Portantino is the powerful chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, where he has worked to ensure vital funding for community resources – including securing over $250,000 for Tavlian Preschool and Kindergarten last year and millions of state funding for the Armenian American Museum.
“The assistance Senator Portantino has been able to secure for our community has been invaluable,” remarked ANCA Pasadena Chair Shoghig Yepremian. “The Senator’s commitment to empowering and uplifting Armenian-Americans by supporting vital community services has been greatly appreciated – and we are committed to working together closely to ensure our community receives the assistance it needs.”
Senator Portantino has long been a champion of deepening relations between the State of California, Artsakh and Armenia – as a leader in the California Legislative Caucus, as founding chair of the Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange, and in spearheading the effort to establish the Armenia-California Trade Services Desk in Yerevan.
