[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2573-H2574]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ARMENIA'S 1700TH ANNIVERSARY OF PROCLAIMING CHRISTIANITY AS OFFICIAL 
                                RELIGION

  (Mr. PALLONE asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I also would like to thank His Holiness 
Karekin II for providing this morning's prayer and for helping this 
House celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the

[[Page H2574]]

world's first Christian nation, Armenia. It was 1700 years ago that the 
leader of the Kingdom of Armenia, the pagan King Drtad III, was 
baptized as a Christian and made the historic decision to proclaim 
Christianity as the official religion of the Armenian kingdom. It is 
the anniversary of this event that brings His Holiness to the United 
States this month.
  I will be fortunate to join him at what should be one of the largest 
gatherings of Armenian Americans in New York City's Central Park this 
upcoming Memorial Day weekend.
  His Holiness will also be the honored guest at an ecumenical prayer 
service next week at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception 
here in Washington.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to thank His Holiness for gracing this House with 
his presence this morning and for making this trip to the United 
States. It not only means a lot to me but to the millions of diaspora 
Armenians and Americans of other faiths who will have the opportunity 
to hear his words during this visit.

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