[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 154 (Thursday, November 8, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2034]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       CONGRATULATING PYUNIC USA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, November 8, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Pyunic USA 
for their accomplishments over the past 11 years. Pyunic USA is an 
Armenian-based association that is dedicated to helping disabled 
individuals in Armenia.
  Pyunic was founded in 1989 to provide aid to the children left 
disabled by the devastating Armenian earthquake of 1988. Since its 
inception, Pyunic has evolved into an association that supports all of 
the physically challenged in Armenia. The help they provide includes 
individuals born with disabilities and those who were injured while 
defending Karabagh. Services provided by Pyunic include physical and 
mental rehabilitation, advocacy for the rights of the disabled, annual 
summer/winter camp sessions, and athletic paralympic training to all 
disabled children and young adults throughout Armenia.
  With over 50 volunteers and only 4 staff members Pyunic's mission is 
to integrate the disabled into Armenia's mainstream life. The 
organization takes pride in their efforts to develop outstanding 
disabled athletes who travel worldwide to compete in several marathons 
and Paralympics. In 2000 Pyunic was selected as the ``Best Non-
Governmental Organization (NGO) of Armenia for Youth.'' Pyunic has 
created working relationships with several international 
nongovernmental organizations, including Save the Children 
International, the World Rehabilitation Foundation and the United 
Nations High Commission for Refugees.
  Pyunic has five main goals: to help disabled become self-sufficient 
and contributing members of Armenia, and integrate them into mainstream 
life; to promote physical, social and psychological rehabilitation; to 
utilize sports to develop strong bodies and active minds; to develop 
skills to meet challenges of life for the disabled; to educate the 
public through dissemination of information on the issues of 
disability.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to congratulate Pyunic USA for their commitment 
to improving the lives of the disabled. I urge my colleagues to join me 
in wishing Pyunic USA many more years of continued success.

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