ANC-Illinois Sits Down with Rep. Brad Schneider

LINCOLNSHIRE, Ill.—The Armenian National Committee (ANC) of Illinois took issues of importance to Armenians in the 10th Congressional District of Illinois to Rep. Brad Schneider (D) on Mon., Sept. 16. The group included ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian and ANC of Illinois Chairman Claude Ohanesian.

Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL-10) with ANCA Chairman Ken Hachikian (left) and ANC-Illinois Chairman Claude Ohanesian on Sept. 16.

Discussion centered on House Resolution 227, the Armenian Genocide Truth and Justice Resolution, and the situation in Syria. The ANC of Illinois expressed its concern over Armenians in the region and the safety of all Syrians.

“Rep. Schneider was very receptive to our concerns and we thank him for a terrific meeting. We hope to continue to cultivate our relationship with him as he learns more about Armenian-American issues,” said Ohanesian.

Schneider, who is on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, also heard concerns of the local ANC on such issues as the return of Christian properties and foreign aid to Armenia, as well as the self-determination of Nagorno-Karabagh (Artsakh), the 25th anniversary of its independence, and Azeri aggression in the Caucuses.

The meeting followed a busy month in August for the ANCA Eastern Region that saw many local ANCs meeting with representatives in their districts while Congress was in recess.