[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 15, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E364]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO SETA SIMONIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 15, 2006

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Seta Simonian, of 
Glendale, California. Each year In March, in recognition of Women's 
History Month, we pay special tribute to the contributions and 
sacrifices made by our nation's women.
  Ms. Simonian's community involvement demonstrates her devotion to 
education and art, because she believes in promoting and preserving the 
treasures and the beauty of Armenian culture and heritage.
  Seta was born in Aleppo, Syria, and at age 11 moved to Beirut, 
Lebanon. Upon graduating from the American University of Beirut at the 
age of 22, she married Hratch Simonian. The Simonians lived and worked 
in Saudi Arabia for 8 years, then moved to California in 1985. Since 
1987, Seta, her husband, and their two children, Karin and Sebouh, have 
resided in Glendale, California.
  Soon after moving to California, Ms. Simonian cofounded and chaired 
the Hamazkayin Educational and Cultural Society of Pasadena. She is a 
current member of Arvest and Artee Cultural Groups of Hamazkayin, and 
since 1994, has been the chair of the Hamazkayin Music Committee which 
collaborates with artists in Armenia and releases authentic CDs and 
classical Armenian music. She is currently an assistant for the 
Hamazkayin Student Forum held in Armenia every summer. Seta served as 
an Anchor for Horizon Armenian TV in Glendale for three years. A 
cofounder of the Committee of Armenian Students in the Public Schools, 
she is also a member of the Armenian Cultural Foundation, Armenian 
Educational Foundation, Armenian International Women's Association, the 
National Education Association, and the California and Glendale 
Teachers' Associations.
  Seta received her bachelor's degree in mathematics from the American 
University of Beirut, and a master's in education administration from 
California State University Los Angeles. She has a teaching diploma, a 
bilingual teaching certificate, and has completed an Armenian Studies 
program.
  A wonderful role model for her students, Seta has been a teacher for 
over 30 years and is currently teaching math at Wilson Middle School in 
Glendale.
  I ask all Members of Congress to join me today in honoring an 
outstanding woman of California's 29th Congressional District, Seta 
Simonian.

                          ____________________