On September 26, 2011, following Armenian Independence Day, Congressman Brad Sherman (D – Sherman Oaks) addressed over 100 high school students inside the auditorium at Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) Manoogian-Demirdjian School, in Canoga Park. Sherman has routinely hosted town hall meetings for high school students during his time in Congress including other Armenian High Schools in the West San Fernando Valley.

According to a press release, Sherman spoke about federal issues, the conflict in the Middle East, the economy, and military academies and internship opportunities in the Congressman’s Sherman Oaks and Washington, DC offices. Sherman also responded to questions on a wide range of issues including the Armenian genocide, U.S. and Turkish foreign policy, health care and college loans.

After speaking with the students, Congressman Sherman presented Vice Principal Anahid Nalbendian with a flag flown over the United States Capitol.

Sherman highlighted his work on the House Foreign Affairs Committee to recognize the Armenian Genocide. Congressman Sherman is an original cosponsor of the legislation to recognize the genocide of 1915-1923. Since coming to Congress in 1997, Sherman has co-sponsored every resolution dealing with the issue of the Armenian Genocide.

“Meetings like this are critical to the public policy process. They provide an opportunity for me to hear about the most pressing concerns of the Armenian community and to elaborate on the work for Armenians and students that my colleagues and I are tackling in Congress,” said Congressman Brad Sherman. “These students are the future leaders of the Armenian community. They contributed to substantive conversations on a variety of issues that are important to the community and the lives of students alike. I thank the students for their participation in the meeting.”