Holden Introduces Resolution to Make Syunik, Armenia a California ‘Sister State’

Assemblymember Chris Holden, D-Pasadena, introduced a resolution Tuesday that would create a “Sister State” relationship between California and the Province of Syunik, Armenia.

Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 105 would add Armenia’s southernmost province to the list of 28 localities that currently have Sister State relationships with the Golden State, Holden’s office said in a written statement.

“The resolution declares California’s solidarity with Syunik and will encourage and facilitate mutually beneficial educational, economic, and cultural exchanges,” the statement said.

The resolution was jointly authored by Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian, and co-authored by Assemblymembers Lisa Calderon, Laura Friedman, Jesse Gabriel, Christina Garcia, Mike Gipson, Tom Lackey, and Kevin Mullin, as well as state Senators Bob Archuleta, Andreas Borgeas, Maria Elena Durazo, and Anthony Portantino, according to Holden’s office.

“For thousands of years, the state of Syunik has had profound historical and cultural significance for Armenia and the world,” Holden said. “Strengthening our relationship with the Syunik comes at a critical time as regional powers like Azerbaijan and Turkey pose a threat to its existence.”

Amid ongoing tensions with neighboring Azerbaijan that follow recent fighting, “Azerbaijan’s illegal presence remains in Syunik, threatening Armenia’s sovereignty and the people who live there,” according to the statement.

Ambassador Armen Bairbourtian, who serves as Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles, said he approved.

“I enthusiastically thank Assemblymember Chris Holden for initiating this resolution of paramount importance,” he said. “The establishment of a California-Syunik Sister State relationship will develop a multidimensional partnership between the U.S. State of California and the Armenian Province of Syunik. My gratitude also goes to all the state legislators supporting the resolution.”

The full text of the resolution can be found online at a41.asmdc.org/press-releases/20210817-assemblymember-chris-holden-introduces-resolution-establishing-sister-state.