While it is hard to compare the strength of lobbies that are working on very different issues, it is clear that the Armenian lobby is strong and growing stronger, confident in the knowledge that as Armenians - in the homeland and the Diaspora - we are collectively the authors of our own destiny. Here are just a few examples of our progress: * We launched the pioneering California-Armenia Trade Office to increase bilateral trade and create jobs in the U.S. and Armenia. In just the past two years, due in large part to our efforts to normalize U.S.-Armenia trade relations, Armenian exports to the U.S. rose from $37.6 million (2003) to $45.8 million (2005). * The growth of our local ANCA chapters to more than fifty - particularly in non-traditional states such as Nevada, Arizona, Florida, and Texas. * The increased level of assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh, which has amounted to $1.6 billion since 1991 - and especially the new $235 million Millennium Challenge grant to Armenia. * The growing opposition to Turkey's denial of the Armenian Genocide in the U.S. Congress, the media, and academia. For example, within the past year the Armenian Genocide Resolution passed a key Congressional committee by a vote of 40 to 7, a dramatic increase over the 24 to 11 vote on a similar measure in 2000. Also, 38 of the 50 U.S. states have recognized the Armenian Genocide. Our focus, this April as always, is to end U.S. complicity in Turkey's campaign of Armenian Genocide denial, to press Turkey to acknowledge its responsibility for this crime, and to work toward a just resolution for Armenian nation. As in past years, we will hold a Congressional observance on Capital Hill and in local communities around the nation. These events will build support for the adoption of the Armenian Genocide Resolution and the effort to encourage President Bush to properly recognize the Armenian Genocide in his April 24th remarks. We are, of course, very interested in the controversy surrounding Amb. Evans and are strongly opposing any steps to punish or recall him due to his truthful statements on the Armenian Genocide. Another special concern this April is PBS's decision to provide a platform for Genocide deniers - which we are strenuously opposing at the national and grassroots levels. For more than three months, the U.S. government did not utter a single word about this systematic desecration of an Armenian holy and cultural site. During a recent visit to Armenia, a State Department official responded to questions on this matter during a press conference by condemning the destruction - but the Department seems to have done little else. This, of course, stands in stark contrast to the vocal U.S. outrage over the Taliban's destruction of the Bamiyan Buddha statues in 2001. We are working very actively within the Congressional appropriations process - on both the House and Senate sides - to see that military aid parity is restored. The key to this effort is explaining that disparity in favor of Azerbaijan will embolden Baku to act on its increasingly violent threats against Armenia and Nagorno Karabagh.