PHILADELPHIA, PA - In response to the Armenian Assembly's legislative successes in advocating for strong US assistance in Armenia, more than 40 activists joined the Assembly family at the Delaware Valley Regional Council's annual membership forum held December 3. Life Trustees Peter and Irene Vosbikian sponsored the event.

"I cannot say enough good things about the critical work that the Assembly does, and urge everyone to support its activities," said Peter Vosbikian. "This year alone, the Assembly helped secure $90 million in US humanitarian and economic assistance to Armenia, $15 million for the SESAME Project to stimulate the high-tech sector in Armenia and funding for confidence-building measures as a means for stimulating a resolution for the Nagorno Karabagh conflict."

Longtime Yerevan Office Director, Arpi Vartanian, provided the forum participants with a behind-the-scenes look at the Assembly's diverse programs. Vartanian, who recently returned to the US to serve as the Acting Executive Director of the Armenian Assembly of America, emphasized that member support for the Assembly's activities is making a difference in Armenia. She encouraged all those present to increase their involvement and to call on the Assembly for any assistance they might need.

In his new position as the Director of Planning for the Armenian Genocide Museum and Memorial Project, Ross Vartian described many of the plans for this monumental undertaking. The Museum and Memorial will be housed in an historic property, which is located two blocks from the White House and Treasury Department and is a landmark listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The briefings by Vartian and Vartanian spurred a lively question-and-answer session. A question regarding youth involvement sparked a briefing on the Assembly's Internship Program. Vartian told the audience about the internships offered by the Armenian Assembly and described how these internships offer opportunities for young people to become involved in Armenian issues.

Edward Papazian responded to Vartanian's call for increased support for the Assembly's activities by recruiting 24 new members and upgrading his membership to the Fellow Trustee level. In appreciation of his efforts, Papazian was presented with a Tree Certificate from the Armenia Tree Project. Twenty-four trees will now be planted, in his name, in Armenia.

The Assembly welcomes new Affiliate Members -- Gary Altoonian, Mr. & Mrs. Hratch Arzoumanian, Roxie Boornazian, Acabe Boornazian, Alice Charles, Albert Chavooshian, Richard Dermenjian, Karl Dermenjian, Alice De Rose, John Devedjian, Samuel Devedjian, Mihran Elanjian, Ara Ganjoyan, George Garabedian, Vartan Garnighian, Van Injaian, Carol Jerrahian, Harry Kalvonjian, Mr. & Mrs. Edward Kurkian, Jason Manoukian, Norman Miller, Bryan Peckjian, Garabed Sarkessian, Seran Schug, Martin Shelengian, Albert Soltanian, Daniel Terhanian, George Terhanian, Nick Terkanian, Jacob Terkanian, Andrew Vartanian, Karen Zartarian, Seeran Zartarian Mizii; Contributing Affiliate Members -- Mr. & Mrs. Nishan Bogosian and Raffi Nazikian; and Fellow Trustees -- Steven Vosbikian, Ashkhen Setrakian, George Terkanian -- and thanks them for their support.