Senator Portantino Makes Emotional Trip to Artsakh as First U.S. Elected Official to Visit Region Since War

California State Senator Anthony J. Portantino (D – Pasadena) recently returned from an emotional trip to Artsakh during which he toured the countryside and said he “broke bread with heroes.”

In a statement, his office described the visit as believed to be “the first time a state or federal elected official has visited the region since the end of the 44-day war” between Armenia and Azerbaijan in 2020.

“I was honored to have been asked to go to Artsakh and deeply affected by my time there,” stated Senator Portantino.

“In particular, in the village of Taghavard, I encountered the most resilient and strong people I have ever met. Their pride and determination to live peacefully on their lands was both inspiring and emotional. At the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Center, I observed a classroom of autistic children receiving loving care and spent time with war heroes who are dealing with the significant personal consequences of the war.”

Portantino said government officials and residents of Artsakh voiced pleas to the international community to recognize the sovereignty of Artsakh and to advocate for human rights and dignity.

While in Artsakh, the Senator met with President Arayik Harutyunyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Babayan, Minister of Education, Science and Culture Lusine Gharakhanyan and leaders of the Artsakh Parliament.

He also he visited the frontlines during a tour of Taghavard village in the Martuni region.

In Taghavard, he said he witnessed the consequences of the war. He assessed destroyed homes and a prominent church that was leveled by Azeri shelling.

He met with local village leaders, soldiers and survivors of the war.

At the Lady Cox Rehabilitation Center, Portantino’s office said, the Senator was able to spend time and share a caring voice with veterans suffering from the aftereffects of the tragic conflict.

He also toured a school damaged by bullets and bombs but later revitalized by the Armenia Fund.

At a church, he was shown remnants of missiles and was taken to a cemetery where family members proudly and emotionally mourned the loss of young men and women who had been killed.

“This was by far the most emotional visit I’ve taken to Artsakh. The personal stories and first-hand accounts of the war were both inspiring and sad,” Portantino said.

“Seeing the proximity to danger school children face every day when they go outside to play was unsettling and all too real,” added Portantino.

“Given the recent and continued aggression in Syunik and the unprovoked actions on the Shushi-Berdzor road, we know that the international community needs to act with humanitarian passion and dedicated support for the Armenian people who are facing a well-funded military with destructive intent,” he said.