[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 72 (Tuesday, May 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E998]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        TRIBUTE TO NUNE YESAYAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 18, 1999

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Nune 
Yesayan for her outstanding musical talent. Nune is considered to be a 
``modern-day minstrel'' from Armenia, who herself has survived a 
traumatic personal history, but has emerged to breathe a new life of 
hope and beauty into the present day Armenian experience.
  Nune has been called the ``Armenian Madonna,'' however, love for her 
music and its message spans generations and cultures. Her 
extraordinary, emotion-provoking voice, reminiscent of one who has 
gained life-lessons from a long and tiring journey, and her use of 
ancient instruments appeals to a wide dynamic of fans, from ``hip'' 
Generation Xers to Baby Boomers, and from lovers of traditional music 
to those with more ``eccentric'' music tastes. It is her message, 
however, drawing Armenians world-wide, which provokes a connection to 
``home,'' and delivers truths about the identity, language and culture 
of the Armenian people. They are songs about the beauty of the 
homeland, (Armenia) and of the people, the strength of the Armenian 
character, and the nostalgia of what once was with the hope that it can 
be reclaimed.
  At no other time in the modern-day Armenian experience has one 
performer captured so much attention in such a short period of time. 
Sold out concerts in Armenia launched the 29-year-old's career. Nune 
has performed for Armenian troops near the Azeri border, and in 
Yerevan, Lebanon, Syria and Cyprus. Nune's near-instant stardom led her 
to California where she performed for mobs of fans. She also appeared 
at an A.Y.F. picnic, at schools, and in record stores. Nune has 
produced two CDS and several innovative music videos. She was the only 
vocalist invited to participate in a 20-hour live broadcast 
commemorating the tenth anniversary of the December 7, 1988 Armenian 
earthquake. Adding to this impressive resume Nune's two Anoush Awards 
granted to her at the Armenian Music Awards in October, one for ``most 
popular album'' and the other for ``best female vocalist.''
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Ms. Nune Yesayan for doing her 
part to rejuvenate the ``Armenian soul'' and bridge generational and 
cultural gaps, bringing families and strangers together with her music. 
Nune recently played at a concert in Fresno, in my district, at the 
Armenian Community Center. I urge my colleagues to join me in wishing 
Nune many years of continued success.

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