[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 21 (Monday, February 5, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H1173-H1174]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        HONORING SARKIS ACOPIAN

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Dent) is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. DENT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to commemorate the life of a 
national treasure, Sarkis Acopian. Mr. Acopian died on January 18, 
2007, at his home in Palmer Township, Pennsylvania, which is located in 
my Congressional district near the City of Easton. He was 80 years old.
  To say that Mr. Acopian lived a full life does not do justice to the 
legacy of this extraordinary man. His is, in part, the classic 
immigrant success story. He was born on December 8, 1926, in Tabriz, 
Iran, to Armenian parents. He came to this country in 1945 to study 
engineering at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania. While here, 
Mr. Acopian was drafted into the United States Army. After completing 
his military service, Mr. Acopian returned to Lafayette, where he 
graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in mechanical engineering 
in 1951.
  Mr. Acopian used his prodigious intellectual gifts and business 
acumen to design and build things that helped to make people's lives 
better. While working for the Weller Electric Corporation, he designed 
a power sander which became one of the company's main products. After 
forming the Acopian Technical Company in 1957, he designed and 
manufactured the first ever solar radio. Mr. Acopian subsequently led 
his company into the power supply business, and the company, which is 
still operating today, became and remains quite successful in that 
enterprise.
  But Sarkis Acopian was much, much more than just an outstanding 
entrepreneur. In that regard, he loved outdoor venture and throughout 
his life he

[[Page H1174]]

was an avid pilot, scuba diver and skydiving enthusiast who made more 
than 200 jumps during the 1960s. But where he really made his presence 
known was in his philanthropic work.
  Mr. Acopian was a self-effacing man who believed passionately in 
supporting the community quietly but with unmatched generosity. He was 
passionate about education. He made significant donations to Columbia 
University, to the Acopian Engineering Center at Lafayette College and 
to the Acopian Center for Ornithology at Muhlenberg College located in 
Allentown, Pennsylvania.
  He was passionate about his faith, building the Saint Sarkis Armenian 
Apostolic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and giving generously to 
the Diocese of the Armenian Church of America and the Armenian 
Apostolic Church of America, as well as to local churches in Armenia.
  He was passionate about nature, creating the Acopian Center for 
Conservation Learning at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary and the Acopian Bog 
Turtle Preserve, as well as endowing the environmental education 
program at the American University of Armenia and the Florida Institute 
of Technology.
  He was passionate about the locality in which he lived, Easton, 
Easton, Pennsylvania. He gave generously to the Children's Home of 
Easton, a sanctuary for underprivileged youth. The State Theater of 
Easton and the Easton National Canal Museum. His contributions made 
children's lives better, raised appreciation for the arts in his 
community, and helped to preserve important local history.
  As an immigrant to this country, Mr. Acopian was eternally grateful 
for the opportunities that had been afforded to him here. He showed 
that gratitude, in part, by providing $1 million towards the 
construction of the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C., that is 
right, $1 million to the World War II Memorial in Washington D.C. His 
generous donation was the single largest contribution to that 
fundraising effort.
  I must tell a story, former Senator Bob Dole came to the Easton area 
several years ago and said that one day in front of a few hundred 
people he received a check for $1 million for the World War II 
Memorial. He picked up the phone and called this man, Mr. Acopian. He 
said, Mr. Acopian, this is very generous. Is there anything you would 
like because of this very generous gift? Mr. Acopian wanted anonymity. 
He said no, there is really nothing I want, Senator. After a few 
moments, he thought about it and said, Senator, there is actually one 
thing, Senator, I do want. He said, I would like to have a seat at the 
dedication. Bob Dole said, well, heck, yes, he can have mine. That is 
the way Sarkis Acopian was. He sought anonymity, but Bob Dole blew his 
cover.
  His greatest passion, however, was for his lovely wife of 59 years, 
Mrs. Bobbye Seitze Mixon Acopian. Together the couple had two sons, 
Gregory, who is married to Karen; and Jeffrey, who is married to Helen, 
both of whom still reside in Easton. He is survived also by six 
grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

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