[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2119]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE HOMENETMEN ARARAT CHAPTER'S 25TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 21, 2003

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Glendale/Ararat 
Chapter of Homenetmen. Homenetmen is an organization that provides 
Armenian communities around the world with moral, physical, and social 
education. In the 25 years since its inception, the Glendale Chapter of 
Homenetmen has grown from a seven member volunteer group to a thriving 
community organization with over 1800 members. The Ararat Chapter is 
now the largest in the United States, and conservatively estimates that 
it has provided services to nearly 10,000 adults, children and seniors 
since 1978.
  For the last quarter century, the Ararat Chapter has been a guiding 
light for the growth and success of Glendale's Armenian community, and 
the community as a whole. Ararat's efforts to form lasting bonds with 
community and government organizations, regardless of race or religious 
affiliation, have made a lasting positive impact on the community. They 
provide numerous supervised weekend and after school programs that 
afford a healthy and safe environment for children and young adults. 
The Ararat Chapter's volunteers also play a vital role in contributing 
to drug awareness education throughout the community. The Homenetmen-
sponsored 5K/10K run/walk attracts over 1,000 participants annually, 
and includes pre-and-post race events tailored to drug and alcohol 
awareness. The Ararat Chapter also works closely with local hospitals, 
churches, and local governments on a variety of beneficial community 
events such as graffiti clean-ups, scouting events, holiday luncheons 
with the Salvation Army, and blood drives with the Red Cross.
  Ararat volunteers blanket our community with goodwill and friendly 
hands. Schools, children, hospitals, and many other groups are buoyed 
by the charity of this outstanding community organization. They are a 
tribute to their Armenian heritage, and a jewel of their home city of 
Glendale. It is with great pleasure that I congratulate the Homenetmen 
Ararat Chapter for their 25 years of dedicated service to the Glendale 
community.

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