[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 177 (Monday, December 15, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    IN RECOGNITION OF HAMAZKAYIN ARMENIAN EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL 
     SOCIETY'S 75TH ANNIVERSARY WORLDWIDE AND 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF 
                      ESTABLISHMENT IN CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, December 15, 2003

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Hamazkayin 
Armenian Educational and Cultural Society as it celebrates its 75th 
anniversary worldwide and 35th anniversary of its establishment in 
California. Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society was 
founded by a group of community leaders on May 28, 1928, in Cairo, 
Egypt, with the objective of providing a sound education to the new 
generation and preserving the ethnic identity and cultural heritage of 
the Armenian people, forced to live outside their homeland after the 
1915 genocide and the fall, in 1920, of the First Republic of Armenia.
  Subsequently, Hamazkayin Chapters sprouted throughout the Middle 
East, Europe, the United States, Canada, South America and Armenia to 
instill, perpetuate and preserve the centuries old Armenian culture. 
Hamazkayin established several schools and centers of learning. In 
1930, Jemaran, an elementary and high school was founded in Beirut, 
Lebanon and it continues to be an important educational center in the 
Middle East. Similar schools were established in 1976 in Marseille, 
France and in 1986 in Sydney, Australia. In addition, Hamazkayin has an 
advanced learning institute for Armenian language and literature, as 
well as a printing press and publishing house in Beirut, Lebanon.
  The Western USA Executive Board of Hamazkayin supervises the 
operations of eight chapters and seven special committees operating in 
Southern California, Fresno and San Francisco. This non-profit 
organization, run solely by dedicated and tireless volunteers, sponsors 
a plethora of activities including lectures, seminars, after-school 
workshops, commemorative events, exhibitions, concerts, recitals, 
traditional dance ensembles, dramatic arts troupes and choirs. The 
Western USA Executive Board's seven special committees, namely Music, 
Art, Contemporary and Heritage Committees, Ani Dance Company, Saroyan 
Theater Company and Armenian Folk Instrument Orchestra, have one common 
goal: the conservation of the Armenian intellectual legacy and the 
promotion of cultural values. The activities of these Special 
Committees include preservation of classical, folk and popular music, 
performances of traditional and ethnic dances in authentic costumes, 
promotion of theatrical arts, presentation of social conventions and 
traditions throughout the centuries, as well as encouragement and 
support to talented young artists.
  It is my distinct honor to recognize Hamazkayin's innumerable 
accomplishments over the years. I ask all members of the United States 
House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Hamazkayin's 35 
years of contributions to the ethnic diversity of the United States by 
nurturing the Armenian traditions and national heritage and sharing 
these cultural values with other communities, especially in California.

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