[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 22 (Thursday, February 26, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E240]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   IN RECOGNITION OF THE MEKHITARIST FATHERS' ARMENIAN SCHOOL'S 25TH 
                              ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 26, 2004

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Mekhitarist 
Fathers' Armenian School. On Saturday, February 28, 2004, members of 
the Armenian community in Southern California will gather to celebrate 
the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the Mekhitarist Fathers' 
Armenian School.
  The school is the pride of the Armenian community. Its impressive 
curriculum, dedicated faculty and administration, quality 
extracurricular activities, devoted parents, alumni and committed 
Trustees serve as strong pillars of this unique educational 
institution.
  The Mekhitarist Fathers' Armenian school was established in 1979 with 
dreams of rearing and educating young Armenians about their past. Yet 
they taught their pupils to appreciate their new home in America and 
establish respectable, productive and thriving communities as well as 
the importance of making lasting contributions to society.
  In 1998, when the school had prospered to more than 350 students, 
they leased a campus in La Crescenta. The school was facing unlimited 
difficulties. Mekhitarist Fathers had a very short time to find a home 
for those whose educational responsibilities were put upon their 
shoulders. They proved without a doubt that despite insurmountable 
obstacles, they fulfilled their seemingly impossible responsibility 
toward this community when they purchased their own land on Foothill 
Boulevard, in Tujunga.
  Today, the number of students has dropped due to obstacles that the 
school has had to overcome. Yet, that is what has made this institution 
stronger. As Fr. Augustine Szekula said, ``It is the very existence of 
nurturing Armenian schools in the Diaspora that supports and indeed, 
enables our Mother country [Armenia] to exist, and for our rich 
Armenian cultural heritage to continue to flourish with dignity and 
grace.''
  It is my distinct honor to recognize the Mekhitarist Fathers' 
Armenian School's invaluable service to the community and congratulate 
them upon their 25th anniversary.

                          ____________________