[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 72 (Wednesday, May 23, 2001)]
[House]
[Pages H2654-H2656]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




WELCOMING HIS HOLINESS KAREKIN II, SUPREME PATRIARCH AND CATHOLICOS OF 
 ALL ARMENIANS, ON HIS VISIT TO UNITED STATES AND COMMEMORATING 1700TH 
          ANNIVERSARY OF ACCEPTANCE OF CHRISTIANITY IN ARMENIA

  Mr. CANTOR. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Committee 
on International Relations be discharged from further consideration of 
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 139) welcoming His Holiness 
Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, on his 
visit to the United States and commemorating the 1700th anniversary of 
the acceptance of Christianity in Armenia, and I ask for its immediate 
consideration in the House.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Virginia?
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, reserving the right to object, and I will 
not object, I would like to make a few observations concerning this 
resolution.

[[Page H2655]]

  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to join my colleague, the gentleman from 
Mississippi (Mr. Wicker) and others in extending a warm and sincere 
welcome to His Holiness, Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos 
of All Armenians.
  His Holiness' visit to the United States is a monumental occasion for 
the American Armenian community and for Armenians everywhere. His visit 
marks the 1,700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia. I want to 
congratulate the Armenian people on carrying this proud tradition 
through 17 centuries.
  This important resolution shows the support and good will that the 
United States Congress has towards the Armenian people everywhere and 
here in this country.
  I believe that this resolution spells out important positions of the 
U.S. Congress. It commends the richness of the Armenian heritage, and 
it celebrates the contribution of Armenian Americans to the cultural 
diversity of our Nation.
  I want to note the strength and the perseverance of this tradition. 
For over 70 years, the Armenian Christian faith was suppressed in the 
Soviet Union, and Armenian religious leaders were imprisoned or exiled. 
Today, after more than 70 years of Communist rule, Armenians in Armenia 
have been able to return to practicing their faith.
  I want to thank my colleague for introducing this resolution, and I 
urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting it.
  Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, will the gentleman yield?
  Mr. LANTOS. I yield to the gentleman from Mississippi.
  Mr. WICKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend, the gentleman from 
California, for yielding to me.
  Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to rise in favor of House Concurrent 
Resolution 139, which I introduced only a few days ago with strong 
bipartisan support.

                              {time}  2115

  Mr. Speaker, I would also like to thank the leadership for 
recognizing the importance of this resolution and ensuring its speedy 
consideration.
  We welcome his Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos 
of All Armenians, on his visit to the United States. We commemorate the 
1700th anniversary of Armenia's acceptance of Christianity.
  The Catholicos' visits and upcoming commemoration of the United 
States provides the ideal opportunity for the House to bring attention 
to the shared values and ideals of the United States, Armenia, and the 
Armenian church.
  The Armenian people have lived in their homeland for more than 3,000 
years, creating a unique civilization rich in culture. The Christian 
world's links to the past are intertwined with the Armenian church.
  In fact, two of Jesus' disciples, Saint Thaddeus and Saint 
Bartholomew introduced Christianity in Armenia and were among the 
original founders of the Armenian Church.
  In 301 AD, Saint Gregory the Illuminator brought Christianity to the 
entire country, leading Armenia to declare Christianity the official 
religion, making it the first Christian state in the world.
  The Armenian Church has made great contributions often during times 
of strife and oppression as my friend from California (Mr. Lantos) has 
pointed out, over the last 17 centuries.
  Armenian Church leaders opened schools, cared for the sick and needy, 
and created an alphabet for Armenia and the Republic of Georgia in 
order to make scriptures more accessible to the people.
  Armenians' devotion to God led them to create distinctive styles of 
manuscript illumination, architecture, sculpture, and textiles that are 
recognized as masterpieces of Christian art and as major contributions 
to world art. The Armenian Church continues to make significant 
contributions today through its ministry at home and its active 
participation in ecumenical bodies uniting Christians of all 
denominations throughout the world.
  Mr. Speaker, in the coming days, more than 100 communities around the 
United States will be celebrating this great anniversary with special 
worship and ecumenical services. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to author 
this resolution welcoming the Catholicos to the United States and 
honoring the 1700th anniversary of Christianity in Armenia.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this 
resolution and affirming our strong ties and relationship with Armenia 
and the Armenian Church.
  Mr. BONIOR. Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to welcome the 
world leader of the Armenian Church, Catholicos Karekin II, Supreme 
Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to celebrate the 1700th 
anniversary of Armenia's conversion to Christianity. His Holiness is a 
great moral and spiritual leader and it is an honor to have him as a 
guest in our country.
  In 301 A.D., Armenia became the first Christian state in the world. 
At the time, Saint Gregory the Illuminator Christianized the entire 
country of Armenia, was consecrated the first Catholicos of Armenia, 
and baptized King Drtad of Armenia as a Christian. Consequently, King 
Drtad declared Christianity to be the official religion of Armenia.
  Throughout our nation, Armenian communities will celebrate the 1700th 
anniversary of the coming of Christianity in Armenia with special 
worship and ecumenical services. On this day, we join the Armenian 
community, and His Holiness in celebrating the ideals and values shared 
by the people of the United States, the people of Armenia, and the 
Armenian Church in America.
  It is truly a rare opportunity to have an important world religious 
leader such as His Holiness here with us to share his wisdom. His 
Holiness is accompanied by a large delegation consisting of the Supreme 
Council's members and high-ranking clergy. Mr. Speaker, I'm sure you 
join me in wishing His Holiness Karekin II, and the delegation, the 
best on his first official pontifical tour of the United States.
  Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation of objection.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Thornberry). Is there objection to the 
request of the gentleman from Virginia?
  There was no objection.
  The Clerk read the concurrent resolution, as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 139

       Whereas the Armenian people have lived in their homeland 
     for more than 3,000 years and created a unique civilization;
       Whereas two of Jesus Christ's own disciples, Saint Thaddeus 
     and Saint Bartholomew, introduced Christianity in Armenia and 
     were the original founders of the Armenian Church;
       Whereas in 301 A.D., Saint Gregory the Illuminator 
     Christianized the entire country of Armenia, was consecrated 
     the first Catholicos of Armenia, and baptized King Drtad of 
     Armenia as a Christian;
       Whereas in 301 A.D., King Drtad declared Christianity to be 
     the official religion of Armenia, making it the first 
     Christian state in the world;
       Whereas Armenian Church leaders opened schools, cared for 
     the sick and needy, and created alphabets for Armenia and 
     Georgia to make the Scriptures more accessible to the people;
       Whereas Armenians' devotion to God led them to create 
     distinctive styles of manuscript illumination, architecture, 
     sculpture, and textiles, that are recognized as masterpieces 
     of Christian art and as major contributions to world art;
       Whereas the Armenian Church has persevered in its faith 
     throughout the past 17 centuries in cultures that were 
     hospitable to it and others that were hostile;
       Whereas the Armenian Church actively participates in 
     ecumenical bodies and movements, uniting Christians of all 
     denominations world-wide;
       Whereas more than 100 communities throughout the United 
     States will celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the 
     acceptance of Christianity in Armenia with special worship 
     and ecumenical services;
       Whereas in celebration of the 1700th anniversary, His 
     Holiness Karekin II will visit the United States;
       Whereas the 1700th anniversary is an appropriate occasion 
     to celebrate the ideals and values shared by the people of 
     the United States, the people of Armenia, and the Armenian 
     Church in America;
       Whereas representatives of the Christian, Jewish, and 
     Muslim faiths, including representatives of the Armenian 
     Church, the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the 
     National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., will 
     celebrate an ecumenical prayer service on May 30, 2001, at 
     the Catholic Basilica of the National Shrine of the 
     Immaculate Conception on the occasion of the 1700th 
     anniversary;
       Whereas the Armenian Church, the National Conference of 
     Catholic Bishops, and the National Council of Churches of 
     Christ in the U.S.A. have chosen the theme ``Walking Together 
     in the Light of Our Lord'' as the message to embrace the 
     ecumenical spirit of brotherhood on the occasion of the 
     1700th anniversary; and
       Whereas the Armenian Church has established parishes 
     throughout the United States and has contributed to the 
     quality of religious life in this Nation: Now, therefore, be 
     it

[[Page H2656]]

       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That the Congress--
       (1) congratulates the Republic of Armenia on the occasion 
     of the 1700th anniversary of the acceptance of Christianity 
     in Armenia;
       (2) welcomes His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and 
     Catholicos of All Armenians, on his visit to the United 
     States; and
       (3) joins with the people of Armenia, the Armenian Church 
     in America, and His Holiness Karekin II in celebrating the 
     ideals and values they share with the people of the United 
     States.

  The concurrent resolution was agreed to.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________