[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    HONORING THE ANI DANCE ENSEMBLE

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 5, 2004

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Waxman and I rise today to honor ``the 
Ani Dance Ensemble,'' part of the Armenian Educational and Cultural 
Society, Hamazkayin, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Hamazkayin 
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 Armenian genocide.
  Subsequently, Hamazkayin chapters sprouted throughout the Middle 
East, Europe, the United States, Canada, South America and Armenia to 
instill, perpetuate and preserve the centuries of Armenian culture. 
Hamazkayin has been successful in establishing secondary and higher 
educational institutions which have prepared scholars, literary 
figures, and community leaders throughout Armenia and the Diaspora. The 
establishment of ``the Ani Dance Ensemble'' achieves the objectives of 
Hamazkayin through their unique performances of traditional Armenian 
folk dances.
  ``The Ani Dance Ensemble'' was established in 1974 in Los Angeles, 
California under the leadership of artistic directors/choreographers 
Ms. Suzy Barseghian-Tarpinian and Mr. Yeghia Hasholian. The ensemble 
has had more than 80 dances in its repertoire, and presently consists 
of 40 dancers. Since its inception it has performed and captivated 
audiences throughout California as well as cities across the nation 
including Washington DC, Chicago, Illinois; Falls Church, Virginia; and 
Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, the group has performed in Armenia and 
Karabagh in 1999, 2001, and 2004. The ensemble has also represented 
Armenian Culture through Armenian folk dances at the American Ethnic 
Day in Washington, DC in 1987. They are frequently invited by American, 
ethnic and Armenian organizations to perform at functions. As one of 
the oldest and most accomplished Armenian Dance Ensembles in the United 
States, it is recognized as one of the best ethnic dance groups in 
America.
  It is our distinct honor to recognize the cultural contributions of 
``the Ani Dance Ensemble.'' I ask all members to join me in 
congratulating the ``the Ani Dance Ensemble's'' 30 years of performing 
traditional Armenian folk dances.

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