YOUTH PERSPECTIVE -- ARMEN ZENJIRYAN

Sometimes I ask myself “What makes me? What have other people or

experiences done to change me? Would I be the same person had they never

existed?” My answer is a very complex one. Through the years, it has been

a myriad of people, places, attitudes, experiences, memories, joys,

disappointments, inspirations, changes, and developments that have formed

the people you are reading about today. The most significant and

inspirational human being who has profoundly affected my life has been

Congressman James Rogan.

James Rogan was the illegitimate son of a bartender and a cocktail

waitress. His father abandoned his mother before he was born and his

mother was later convicted of welfare fraud as she tried to raise four

children as a single mother. He was raised by his grandparents, who

worked extremely hard to put a roof over his head and food on the table.

At a young age, he dropped out of high school and went to work. Yet now,

he is a member of the U.S. Congress, helping to build a nation filled

with choice, freedom, dreams, hope, and promise, for men and women of

every race, creed and background.

As our congressman, he has protected our personal freedoms to ensure

our country remains strong. James Rogan understands people just like my

parents -- people who have worked long, extremely hard days to support

their families and pay their taxes. And that is one area where he and his

opponent have major differences of opinion, differences about the

priories government sets and how our taxes are being spent.

As an experienced judge and prosecutor, James Rogan could not look the

other way when he saw unambiguous evidence of untruth, obstruction of

justice, and manipulation from the supreme official in our country. He

tackled the impeachment issue because it was the right thing to do; to

defend the principle that no person is above the law. He took no solace

in these events. He completed his obligation, despite the fact that he

was continuously warned that his undertaking could end his political

career. And for doing his duty he was -- and continues to be --

repeatedly attacked by Adam Schiff.

What amazes me the most about James Rogan is his undying and

extraordinary civic objective, building a community for the youth with

education as the top priority. Through responsibility, integrity, effort,

courage and faith, it is people like our congressman who truly inspire

and help develop teenagers into more responsible citizens. James Rogan

has helped me change my life around, I no longer rely on others for help;

instead, I take care of myself and help others. I am capable of anything

because he has taught me through the many struggles in his life that

anything can be overcome. I am thankful for how he has helped me shape me

into a young man, determined and strong.

Congressman James Rogan has played a large role in the development of

my life and even more so in the development of the United States of

America. His planning, educational commitments and fiscal policies are

directed toward building long-term quality and excellence. He believes

that we, the young, deserve a bright tomorrow, and that is why he has

devoted his life to fighting to help us achieve it.

Burbank resident ARMEN ZENJIRYAN, 17, will attend USC in the spring.

He is a volunteer for Rogan’s reelection campaign. Reach him at

csr007@aol.com.