Posted by andreas from p3EE3C224.dip.t-dialin.net (62.227.194.36) on Sunday, September 22, 2002 at 3:45AM :
Hi All,
Anna Eshoo is mixed Assyrian-Armenian.
Regarding ethnic/minority affairs she's deeply involved in - primarily - Armenian activism (genocide recognition, Berg Karabagh/Arzach, Turkey-Armenia relations etc.).
Lack of concerted Assyrian activism may have denied her any viable project for endorsement, sponsoring, support or lobbying or whatever.
So, in the Assyrian context, I've come about only some minor references to her which are mostly restricted to the usual bragging about [wasted] "Assyrian political assets/achievements" as well as about some signatures of her on some rather general petitions on behalf of Assyrians.
E.g. Google search results for:
"Anna Eshoo" Armenian - 101 (HR resolutions, working papers, work reports, activities ...)
"Anna Eshoo" Assyrian - 20 (mostly references to her mere existence)
But maybe, of course, I haven't got the full picture - hope so .....
More info below.
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http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2002/09/20/MN92230.DTL
" Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Atherton, said that in closed sessions this week, administration officials had been asked several times whether they had evidence of an imminent threat from Hussein against U.S. citizens.
"They said 'no,' " she said. "Not 'no, but' or 'maybe,' but 'no.' I was stunned. Not shocked. Not surprised. Stunned."
She added: "I don't think the administration has established the high case to me that I would say to parents in my district, 'Commit your sons and daughters to war in a pre-emptive strike.' "
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For and against -- Bay Area lawmakers on Bush's Iraq resolution
Chronicle staff and news services
Friday, September 20, 2002
©2002 San Francisco Chronicle.
There was varied reaction on Thursday to President Bush's draft resolution on Iraq among members of the Bay Area congressional delegation.
Rep. Tom Lantos, D-San Mateo, a leading hawk on ousting Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, said he supported the thrust behind Bush's resolution. "We cannot wait for madmen to strike first," he said.
Lantos said striking Iraq before it could attack the United States had plenty of historical precedent: "Pre-emption is not a new concept on the world scene."
In 1981, he said, Israeli bombers put the Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak out of commission, following intelligence reports that Hussein was using the facility to build a nuclear weapon that he planned to use against Israel.
"The case for removing Saddam is powerful," Lantos said at a House International Relations Committee hearing where Secretary of State Colin Powell testified.
"I'm confident any resolution will pass overwhelmingly," said Lantos, the senior Democrat on the committee. "The Congress and the American people are united on this."
On the other side of the debate, Rep. Lynn Woolsey, D-Petaluma, issued a statement reiterating her opposition to U.S. military action in Iraq.
"I am absolutely opposed to a pre-emptive strike against Iraq, and I will not give the president unleashed authority to attack countries on a whim and oust their rulers, no matter how strongly we disapprove of them," she said.
A spokesman for Sen. Barbara Boxer said she, too, objected to the wide reach of the White House wording and would not support such an open-ended resolution.
"Sen. Boxer supports multilateral efforts with the United Nations and our allies to compel Iraq to meet its promise to dismantle weapons of mass destruction," said her spokesman, David Sandretti. "She does not support a blank check for unilateral action."
Rep. Anna Eshoo, D-Atherton, said that in closed sessions this week, administration officials had been asked several times whether they had evidence of an imminent threat from Hussein against U.S. citizens.
"They said 'no,' " she said. "Not 'no, but' or 'maybe,' but 'no.' I was stunned. Not shocked. Not surprised. Stunned."
She added: "I don't think the administration has established the high case to me that I would say to parents in my district, 'Commit your sons and daughters to war in a pre-emptive strike.' "
©2002 San Francisco Chronicle. Page A - 18
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Website of the Lady:
http://www-eshoo.house.gov/
205 Cannon Building - Washington, D.C. - 20515 - Telephone (202) 225-8104 - Fax (202) 225-8890
698 Emerson Street - Palo Alto California - 94301 - Telephone (650) 323-2984 - Fax (650) 323-3498
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http://www-eshoo.house.gov/Iraq/index.html
MILITARY ACTION AND IRAQ
I'm deeply concerned about recent press reports regarding the President and members of the Administration speaking about the necessity of regime change in Iraq and the possibility of using force against Iraq.
On July 26th, together with many of my House colleagues, I wrote to President Bush about this most serious issue and the constitutional role of the Congress.
Click HERE http://www-eshoo.house.gov/Iraq/Iraq.pdf to view letter to President Bush.
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http://www.edessa.com/politics/anna1.htm
Anna G. Eshoo
U.S. Representative
State of California
District 14
Party: Democrat
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Rep. Anna G. Eshoo was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1992, beginning a new chapter in her distinguished career as a public servant. She was re-elected with 61% of the vote in 1994.
I was 17 years old when I got my first real taste of politics. Even before then, I had helped my father walk precincts. And my family had discussed the issues of the day around the dinner table.
But for the first time, I was in charge -- organizing students on behalf of John Kennedy during his 1960 presidential campaign. I had a sense of purpose; I was responsible for calling, persuading, organizing. And when it was over, I was certain that my work had made a difference. The election was very close. President Kennedy won by an average of just one vote per precinct throughout the nation.
I have come a long way since the 1960 Kennedy campaign. I've worked, raised a family, gone to school, served 10 years on the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and four years in the United States Congress. I have seen first hand both the good and the bad in our system of government. I'm still an idealist.
Representative Anna Eshoo's public career began in 1980 when she became the first woman Chair of the San Mateo County Democratic Party. She also started twelve years of service on the Democratic National Committee that year. In 1981, she became District Office Chief of Staff for California Assembly Speaker Leo McCarthy. A year later, Representative Eshoo was elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, becoming President of the Board in 1986.
Besides her elected offices, Representative Eshoo has served as Chair of the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and a member of the Bay Conservation and Development Commission. She is also a co-founder of the San Mateo County Women's Hall of Fame.
Among her many honors, Representative Eshoo has received the 1989 Legislator of the Year Award from the California's Governor's Committee on the Employing of the Disabled, the 1991 Margaret Sanger Community Service Award from San Mateo County Planned Parenthood, and the 1990 Friend of BAYMEC Award. In addition, she has been named the 1989 Public Official of the Year by the State Commission on the Aging and Easter Seal's 1987 Humanitarian of the Year. She was also the first woman to join her local chapter of Kiwanis International.
Representative Eshoo was born in December 1942 in New Britain, Connecticut, and graduated from Canada College in 1975. She has two children, Karen and Paul. She lives in Atherton, California.
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Biographical Data and Political Experience
Biographical Data
Gender : Female
Birth Date : December 13, 1942
Birth Place: New Britain, CT
Home City : Atherton, CA
Family : Divorced, 2 children.
Educational Experience:
AA, Canada College, 1975.
Professional Experience (Includes Military Experience):
Legislative Aide.
Political Experience:
San Mateo County Supervisor, 1983-93
Democratic National Committee, 1980-92
Democratic Nominee for US House, 1988.
First Elected to the House: November 3, 1992
Re-Elected to the House: November 8, 1994
Last Elected to the House: November 8, 1996
Congressional Committees:
Commerce
Congressional Memberships:
Regional Whip;
Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
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Assyrian Related Congressional Accomplishments
----1) A Tribute to the Assyrian Community
----2) Salute to the 62st National Convention of the Assyrian American National Federation
----1)
http://www.edessa.com/politics/anna2.htm
SALUTE TO THE 61ST NATIONAL CONVENTION OF THE ASSYRIAN AMERICAN NATIONAL FEDERATION -- HON. ANNA G. ESHOO (Extension of Remarks - August 05, 1994)
[Page: E1659]
HON. ANNA G. ESHOO
OF CALIFORNIA
in the House of Representatives
Friday, August 5, 1994
Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to and in recognition of the 61st National Convention of the Assyrian American National Federation which will take place September 1 through 5 in San Jose, CA. As the only Member of Congress of Assyrian descent, I am proud to have this distinguished event taking place in Santa Clara County, part of which I have the privilege to represent.
My father, Fred Georges, who emigrated to the United States as a youngster, taught me about my cultural heritage as I grew up in Connecticut. Thanks to him and my relatives, I learned how to speak the Assyrian language, a form of Aramaic which scholars call `neo-Syriac,' and absorbed the history of my people. I came to appreciate the richness of Assyrian culture, as well as the lives Assyrians led in Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Lebanon. Assyrian immigrants have come to the United States in search of a better life and have made their homes and have established businesses in New York, Illinois, Michigan, California, and Connecticut.
Assyrian -Americans are hard working, patriotic citizens who have created a supportive organizational network for themselves while making major contributions to the communities in which they live. Many, like my father, are successful small businesspeople.
I pay special tribute to Adam Benjamin, the first Assyrian -American Member of Congress, who represented Gary, Indiana for many years after having worked as an Assyrian community leader in the 1950's and 1960's, most notably as the editor of the Assyrian Star, the official publication of the Assyrian American National Federation.
The federation for which Rep. Benjamin worked was established in 1933 to create unity among Assyrians, preserve their heritage, and represent them in the United States. The fact that the AANF is holding its 61st annual national convention is proof of how successful the organization has been in its mission.
On Labor Day weekend, over 4,000 Assyrians will arrive in San Jose. They will come from across the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and the Middle East to renew their commitment to Assyrian traditions, causes, and ideals. For 5 days, they will participate in a wonderful series of programs concentrating on culture, art, athletics, children and youth development, business seminars, and tours. At the end of that time, they will leave having rejuvenated their faith in their heritage and their future.
It is with no small amount of pride that I note that this convention is being hosted by the Assyrian American Association of San Jose, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting the cultural, educational, and social activities of Assyrians in the Bay Area and the South Bay. This remarkable group provides classes in Assyrian language, history, art, folklore, and dance. It is also involved with the Assyrian Nineveh Choir, weekly Atour TV broadcasts, and a wide array of sports activities. No one can question the contributions which the Assyrian American Association of San Jose has made to the local Assyrian community, and I am pleased that Assyrians from around the world will be able to appreciate the tremendous work which it performs.
Mr. Speaker, the 61st National Convention of the Assyrian American National Federation is an event worthy of commendation and celebration for Assyrians and all Americans. I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the entire Assyrian -American community, the Assyrian American National Federation, and Assyrians from around the globe who are delegates and attendees at the 61st National Convention.
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----2)
http://www.edessa.com/politics/anna3.htm
PETITIONS AND MEMORIALS (Senate - March 21, 1996)
Assembly Joint Resolution 24
`Whereas, the ancient civilization of Assyria , located in Bet-Nahirain (Mesopotamia) in what is now modern day Iraq, was renown for its art and culture; and
`Whereas, in the eighth century B.C. King Assurnasirpal II of Assyria built the palace at Nimrud which contained highly descriptive bas-relief sculptures; and
`Whereas, an Assyrian relief from the palace at Nimrud was recently purchased at auction for $11.9 million by an anonymous buyer; and
`Whereas, Assyrians who are in diaspora throughout the world today are united in their vehement objection to the illicit sale and trafficking of Assyrian ancient antiquities and artifacts; and
`Whereas, the illicit sale and trafficking of ancient antiquities and artifacts is not limited to Assyrian artifacts but involves the cultural treasures of historical civilizations throughout the world, from the ancient temples of Angkor Wat in Cambodia, to Native American villages in the United States; and
`Whereas, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is seeking to establish an international code of ethics for art dealers and cultural professionals to help combat the rise in illicit trafficking of cultural antiquities and artifacts throughout the world; and
`Whereas, the illicit sale and purchase of cultural and antiquities and artifacts by personal art collectors diminishes their educational and aesthetic value, denigrates the history, art, legacy, and culture of the ancient civilizations that created those antiquities and artifacts, displays a lack of sensitivity toward the descendants of those civilizations, and demonstrates disrespect for the cultural heritage of all of humankind; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly and Senate of the State of California, jointly, That the Legislature of the State of California respectfully memorializes the President and Congress of the United States to take measures to halt the illicit sale and trafficking of cultural antiquities, including Assyrian artifacts, and to support the efforts of UNESCO to combat this serious problem; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the President and Vice President of the United States, to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and to each Senator and Representative from California in the Congress of the United States.'
-- andreas
-- signature .