[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 2 (Wednesday, January 28, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E30-E31]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO DR. MIHRAN AGBABIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BRAD SHERMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 1998

  Mr. SHERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Dr. Mihran 
Agbabian, founding

[[Page E31]]

President and President Emeritus of the American University of Armenia.
  Sir Francis Bacon said that ``Knowledge itself is power.'' As a man 
who has dedicated his career to furthering educational opportunities 
for students around the world, Mihran has ensured that future 
generations will be armed with the knowledge to understand and resolve 
the complex challenges they face. He has been particularly active in 
the Armenian community, and using his skills and resources has worked 
tirelessly to improve the standard of education in Armenia.
  Mihran's specialized degree and engineering background afforded him 
several opportunities, including the position of Chairman of the Civil 
Engineering Department at the University of Southern California. During 
his time at U.S.C., Mihran concentrated on turning a practically non-
existent structural laboratory into one of the best in California, and 
as director of the environmental program, he integrated environmental 
research into a unified program in civil engineering. Mihran's 
expertise led him to Armenia in December of 1988 after an earthquake 
destroyed countless buildings, leaving over 25,000 people dead and more 
than 500,000 people homeless.
  This experience left a remarkable impression on Mihran and led to the 
idea of establishing an educational institution of higher learning to 
help Armenia regain some of what it had lost in the field of education. 
Three years later, on the day that the Armenian Parliament declared 
independence, the American University of Armenia opened its doors to 
young scholars. As a driving force behind the creation and success of 
this institution, Mihran assumed the position of President and has 
continued to lead the University as a preeminent educational 
institution in Armenia.
  Mihran's distinguished career has been highlighted by several honors, 
including being named ``Man of the Year'' by the Armenian Professional 
Society in 1978; ``Distinguished Engineering Educator of the Year'' by 
the Institute for the Advancement of Engineering in 1992; and most 
recently receiving the Kabakjian Award for Science/Engineering of the 
Armenian Students Association in 1996. He and his wife play an active 
role in several community events and organizations.
  As an educator and a visionary, Mihran has provided the students of 
Armenia with the tools they need to improve their standard of living. 
In an uncertain, turbulent world, these students are armed with the 
knowledge to address issues that will not only affect their own lives, 
but the live of many future generations.
  Mr. Speaker, distinguished colleagues, please join me in paying 
tribute to Dr. Mihran Agbabian for the outstanding work he has done for 
the Armenian community.

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