[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 30, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1915]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[[Page E1915]]


              IN RECOGNITION OF VAHAK AND PARIS HOVNANIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 30, 2003

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to laud the accomplishments of 
Mr. and Mrs. Vahak Hovnanian, who are this year's recipients of the 
Artistic Eminence Award presented by Pacific Encore Performances, for 
their outstanding commitment to the arts and music. These two 
remarkable individuals have served their community through numerous 
contributions to the economy, culture, and education.
  Together, this couple's service to local, national, and the world 
community has been nothing short of extraordinary. In 1976, they began 
the Hovnanian School that started with only thirteen students in a 
church basement. Today the school consists of 200 students with a 
curriculum that focuses on multicultural studies as well as art, music, 
and theater. In 1998, the Hovnanians together with the Armenian 
Minister of Culture sponsored competitions in all cultural arts. Later, 
Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian started the Sayat Hoa Festival where Armenian 
artists could showcase their talent.
  Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian are remarkable individuals in their own right, 
and should be celebrated for their personal accomplishments as well as 
those they accomplish together. In 1952, Mr. Hovnanian emigrated from 
Baghdad to America in pursuit of higher education. After receiving his 
degree in physics, he and his three brothers formed the Hovnanian 
Brothers Corporation, building homes in Monmouth and Ocean Counties, 
New Jersey. In 1969, the brothers chose to separate and form businesses 
of their own. It was at this time that Mr. Hovnanian became the 
founding chairman and president of the widely recognized residential 
and commercial real estate and development corporation, Hovbilt Inc. 
and Adelphia Water and Sewer Company. In addition, he and his son Shant 
created the V.S. Hovnanian Group, elevating them to a prominent status 
amongst New Jersey real estate developers, entrepreneurs, and 
philanthropists.
  Yet, Mr. Hovnanian's ambitions did not stop with his business 
endeavors. He went on to become the president of the Howell Township 
Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the local Rotary Club, a Monmouth 
University trustee, and Chairman of the Monmouth Conservation 
Foundation. In 1988, Mr. Hovnanian sponsored the first New Jersey 
Waterfront Marathon and underwrote the banquet honoring Olympic 
Marathon Trials.
  Mrs. Paris Hovnanian has also accomplished much to be proud of. Born 
in Jerusalem, she too immigrated to America to further her education. 
She completed her Bachelors Degree in sociology and education and later 
attended Columbia University on scholarship for graduate studies. Mrs. 
Hovnanian is a co-founder of the New York Academy of Art and an active 
participant in a host of charitable organizations where she exhibits 
her strong and effective leadership skills.
  Mr. Speaker, Vahak and Paris Hovnanian have given back so generously 
to their community. Their tireless and selfless efforts have benefited 
those in America and around the world. Accordingly, I ask that my 
colleagues rise and join me in honoring these remarkable individuals, 
Mr. and Mrs. Vahak and Paris Hovnanian.

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