[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S10057]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     TRIBUTE TO KEVORK S. HOVNANIAN

 Mr. MENENDEZ. Mr. President, I wish to pay tribute to the 
memory of Kevork S. Hovnanian, a friend and New Jersey businessman and 
community leader. A hard working Armenian immigrant, Mr. Hovnanian 
embodied the American dream. Already the owner of a successful 
construction company in Iraq in 1959, Mr. Hovnanian was forced to flee 
Iraq and arrived in New Jersey to rebuild his life, and rebuild it he 
did.
  He started another construction company and, along with his brothers, 
committed himself to making affordable housing available to young 
families and first-time home buyers--first in New Jersey, then 
nationwide. He built a successful business and, at the same time, gave 
something back to the community, to New Jersey, and to the Nation. 
Through his chosen profession, he shared his realization of the 
American dream by helping others establish themselves in their own 
homes and took pride in having helped. As his business grew, Mr. 
Hovnanian never forgot his adopted community and generously supported 
numerous charities and organizations. His philanthropy touched the 
lives of all of us in New Jersey. Every child who enters the K. 
Hovnanian Children's Hospital at Jersey Shore University Medical Center 
benefits from his generosity. Every worshiper who enters St. Stepanos 
Armenian Church in Elberon, New Jersey knows Kevork Hovnanian 
generously supported its construction in memory of his mother. He 
remained committed to bringing the Armenian genocide to light and 
supporting Armenian autonomy. He was a man who worked hard, achieved 
his dreams, but always believed in the concept of community, each of us 
working together for the betterment of all.
  As we celebrate Kevork Hovnanian's life and memory, our heartfelt 
thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends, his beloved wife 
Sirwart, and his sons, daughters, and grandchildren who will miss his 
love and laughter. May he rest in peace.

                          ____________________