[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 147 (Tuesday, October 30, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1949-E1950]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       CONGRATULATING THE CHOO- KASIAN ARMENIAN CONCERT ENSEMBLE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 30, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the 
Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble on their work to preserve 
traditional Armenian music. The Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble is 
the only traditional performing Ensemble of Armenian music in the 
United States.
  John Chookasian, a premier clarinetist, is the founder of the 
Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble. He has been playing Armenian folk 
music for over 35 years. John holds a graduate degree from the 
University of Nevada in music and education. He also taught Music and 
Ethnic Studies at U. of N. for 3 years. He and his wife Barbara have 
made it their life's mission to preserve ancient Armenian music for 
future generations.
  The Chookasian Armenian Concert Ensemble has been performing since 
1994. The ensemble performs the classical, folkloric, and troubadour 
musical works of the 16th to 20th centuries. The main aspiration of the 
ensemble is to preserve, promote, and perpetuate the music of the 
Armenian people, as well as to promote intracultural understanding.
  In 1999, the President of Armenia, Mr. Robert Kocharian, invited the 
ensemble to present a series of concerts in Armenia and Karabagh. At 
this concert series the ensemble was presented with the prestigious 
``National Gold Medal Award of Armenia,'' thereby making them the only 
musical group in the United States to receive such an honor from the 
Armenian Government.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize the Chookasian Armenian Concert 
Ensemble for working to preserve the tradition of Armenian music. I 
urge my colleagues to Join me in wishing the Chookasian Armenian 
Concert Ensemble many more years of continued success.

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