[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 12 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   OPENING OF THE ARMENIAN EDUCATION, ART & COMMUNICATION CENTER IN 
                          SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 10, 2000

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, on Saturday, February 12, 2000, a ribbon 
cutting ceremony will be held for the opening of the Armenian 
Educational, Art & Communication Center and the Nikit and Eleanora 
Ordjanian Library-Museum, including the Personal Library of Reverend 
Father and Arafelian and the ACYO Computer Karam Center. This event 
will be held at the Armenian Apostolic Church of Arizona in Scottsdale, 
AZ.
  This ceremony will be followed by a concert by George Mgrdichian, the 
world-renowned virtuoso of the oud, a traditional Armenian instrument. 
Mr. Mgrdichian is the writer and performer of the Broadway musical 
``Nine Armenians.''
  Mr. Speaker, it is always a matter of great pride for me to join with 
the Armenian-American community in welcoming a new center for the 
celebration and advancement of Armenian culture. The Armenian-American 
community, over one million strong, has contributed in countless ways 
to the economy and the culture of the United States. While embodying 
the American Dream, the sons and daughters of Armenia who have settled 
in the United States have for generations striven to maintain their 
links to one of the most ancient and enduring cultures in the human 
race.
  Next year, the Republic of Armenia will be the site of celebrations 
for the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity. Armenia is, in fact, the 
first nation to have embraced Christianity as its national religion. 
And the history of the Armenian nation, language and people goes back 
many centuries earlier. In the years since, despite terrible periods of 
war, conquest and oppression, the Armenian people have endured and 
preserved. Today, Armenians the world over can take pride in the 
tremendous strides made by the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of 
Nagorno Karabagh, emerging democracies that seek to establish their 
rightful place as members of the family of nations. The sense of pride 
in being Armenian can be felt in many parts of the world, from Yerevan 
to Stepanakert to Scottsdale, Arizona, to my hometown of Long Branch, 
New Jersey.
  Mr. Speaker, it is an honor and a privilege for me to congratulate 
the Armenian-American community of Scottsdale on the opening of this 
new facility, and to pay tribute to this important event in the pages 
of the Congressional Record.

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