[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 2, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E310]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   A TRIBUTE TO VAHAN TEKEYAN AND TO THE TEKEYAN CULTURAL ASSOCIATION

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                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Vahan 
Tekeyan on the 120th anniversary of his birth and to the Tekeyan 
Cultural Association.
  Vahan Tekeyan was born in Constantinople, Turkey in 1878. He gained 
prominence as one of the most celebrated poets in Armenian history. 
Tekeyan is credited with contributing to saving the Armenian language 
through his vast writings. It is said that he gave poetry a melody all 
its own. Tekeyan is recognized both as a poet of the people and as a 
poet's poet. He courageously met and conquered numerous challenges 
during his lifetime. Vahan Tekeyan died in Cairo, Egypt at the age of 
67.
  The Tekeyan Cultural Association was founded in Beirut, Lebanon in 
1947 by Professor Parounag Thomasian, Kersan Aharonian and Harchia 
Setrakian, Esq. The association is headquartered in Watertown, MA and 
has chapters throughout the United States as well as in Armenia, 
Canada, France, Egypt, Argentina, Belgium and Greece. During the 
Armenian genocide of 1915-1923, the Fresno Chapter of the Tekeyan 
Cultural Association significantly contributed to the welfare and 
support of orphans.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great honor that I pay tribute to Vahan 
Tekeyan on the 120th anniversary of his birth and to the Tekeyan 
Cultural Association Fresno Chapter. Their dedication to preserving 
Armenian heritage and their significant support of numerous noble 
causes is to be commended. I invite my colleagues to join me in this 
recognition.

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