The Armenian National Committee of America – Western Region (ANCA-WR) will host its sold-out 2025 Annual Awards Banquet Gala on Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles, California. The event will bring together hundreds of community leaders, public officials, and grassroots supporters to celebrate champions of the Armenian Cause and honor distinguished individuals and organizations whose leadership continues to advance justice, advocacy, and human rights.
Congresswoman Young Kim to Receive Legislator of the Year Award
Republican Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) will be honored with the 2025 Legislator of the Year Award for her outstanding leadership and unwavering advocacy on issues of importance to the Armenian-American community. Rep. Kim, an active member of the Congressional Armenian Caucus and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, has consistently championed recognition of the Armenian Genocide, condemned Turkish and Azerbaijani aggression, and advocated for sanctions against the Aliyev regime. She has also been a vocal supporter of U.S. humanitarian aid to Armenia and Artsakh, and most recently has spoken forcefully in favor of a secure and dignified right of return for the displaced Armenians of Artsakh.
“Congresswoman Young Kim’s principled leadership and unwavering advocacy for justice make her deeply deserving of the ANCA-WR’s Legislator of the Year Award,” said Oshin Harootoonian, Chairman of the ANCA-WR Board of Directors.
Christian Solidarity International to Receive Human Rights Champion Award
Christian Solidarity International (CSI) will be honored with the Human Rights Champion Award for its courageous advocacy and humanitarian relief efforts on behalf of the Armenian people of Artsakh. Since Azerbaijan’s blockade and military assault, CSI has been a leading international voice spotlighting the atrocities committed against Armenians, combining humanitarian aid with high-level global advocacy. CSI has provided shelter, medical care, income support, and psychological assistance to displaced families while also launching the international “Stop the New Armenian Genocide” campaign and supporting the Swiss Peace Initiative at the UN and European forums.
“Christian Solidarity International has stood firm when many looked away,” said Oshin Harootoonian. “Their principled commitment has amplified the suffering of Artsakh’s Armenians and strengthened the global demand for justice.”
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, one of the most consequential advocates for the Armenian Cause in U.S. history, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year’s Gala. From her early partnership with San Francisco’s Armenian-American community to her decisive role in securing recognition of the Armenian Genocide, Pelosi has been a steadfast ally of Armenia and Artsakh. Her leadership included spearheading humanitarian relief, demanding accountability for Azerbaijani aggression, and in 2022 leading a historic Congressional delegation to Armenia.
“Speaker Emerita Pelosi embodies the principled and steadfast spirit that defines the Armenian Cause,” said Oshin Harootoonian.
Armenian Bar Association to Receive Vahan Cardashian Award
The Armenian Bar Association will be honored with the prestigious Vahan Cardashian Award, recognizing more than three decades of legal advocacy, civic empowerment, and defense of Armenian rights. Founded in 1989, the organization has advanced justice in landmark cases, defended Armenian Genocide survivors and the rights of the Indigenous people of Artsakh, and provided mentorship to generations of Armenian law students. Its work continues to embody the spirit of Vahan Cardashian, the early Armenian-American political pioneer for whom the award is named.
Schwartz Semerdjian Law Firm to Receive Advocate for Justice Award
The distinguished San Diego-based law firm Schwartz Semerdjian will be recognized with the Advocate for Justice Award for its unyielding legal defense of the ANCA-WR in a politically motivated lawsuit filed by an Azerbaijani attorney in 2024.
The firm’s swift and decisive victory not only reaffirmed the ANCA-WR’s constitutional rights but also sent a powerful message that Armenian-American advocacy cannot be silenced by legal intimidation. “Their victory was a defense of every Armenian’s right to speak truth to power,” said Oshin Harootoonian.
August Gala Committee
The ANCA-WR’s 2025 Gala Committee is chaired by Liliane Arejian and joined by Lousineh Hagopian, Dr. Jacqueline Tomasian, Nune Anmahouni, Vana Boyajian, Arline Jinbachian, and Artin Sookasian. This dynamic group of professionals are leading preparations for the landmark event, ensuring that it reflects the organization’s mission of advocacy, justice, and community empowerment.
A Celebration of Advocacy and Impact
The 2025 ANCA-WR Gala Banquet will spotlight legislative, legal, and grassroots victories while honoring leaders who embody the spirit of truth, justice, and solidarity.
