"I am proud to Chair the California State Senate Select Committee on California, Armenia and Artsakh Mutual Trade, Art and Cultural Exchange. California is the only state that I am aware of that has formalized an official cooperative effort of this significance. I am also honored to live in a State which recognizes Artsakh as an independent Country and to have been able to have visited Karabakh on three occasions. During my three trips there, I have spent productive time in Shushi, Stepanakert and Hadrut.