[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 60 (Friday, April 13, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E457]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




TRIBUTE TO VICKY MARACHELIAN--28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, April 13, 2018

  Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History 
Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and 
sacrifices made by our nation's women. It is an honor to pay homage to 
outstanding women who are making a difference in my Congressional 
District. I would like to recognize a remarkable woman, Vicky 
Marachelian of Burbank, California.
   Born in Beirut, Lebanon, Ms. Marachelian's dedication to community 
service and passion to volunteer for humanitarian efforts stems from 
her childhood. When she moved to the United States with her family at a 
very young age during the civil war in Lebanon, Vicky realized that she 
had the opportunity for a better life, and to this day, she strives to 
give back to the community and support the less fortunate.
   Since 1995, Vicky has been an active member of the Armenian Relief 
Society (ARS), a remarkable organization with thousands of members in 
dozens of chapters around the world, serving the educational, social, 
and humanitarian needs of Armenians and non-Armenians alike. Over the 
years, Vicky has served in many capacities with the organization. She 
was elected to the ARS Burbank ``Araz'' Chapter as an executive member 
for 4 consecutive terms, served on the Regional Executive Board of the 
Armenian Relief Society of Western USA from 2003-2005, and was 
reelected in 2008 to serve as Chairperson of the Regional Executive 
Board. Impressively, only four months later, Vicky was elected as 
Chairperson of the Armenian Relief Society, Inc. Central Executive 
Board, the highest international executive position of the global 
organization, where she served for two terms. During her leadership as 
Chairperson, a number of projects were undertaken, including the 
construction of a new building for the ARS ``Soseh'' Kindergarten in 
Stepanakert, Artsakh, which was completed in September 2017.
   In addition to her tireless advocacy with the Armenian Relief 
Society, Ms. Marachelian was active at Rose and Alex Pilibos Armenian 
School in Los Angeles, where her children attended, helping to raise 
funds for the construction of a new gym and library on the campus.
   Currently, Ms. Marachelian continues her service to the community 
through the ARS Burbank ``Araz'' Chapter, where she presently serves as 
an executive member, and is instrumental in fund-raising for the 
chapter and doing outreach to Armenian and non-Armenian organizations.
   Ms. Marachelian's impressive work has not gone unnoticed as she has 
been recognized with numerous awards, including the Armenian American 
Chamber of Commerce ``Woman in Service'' award in 2011 and the 
``Vachagan Barepasht'' medal in 2015, awarded to her by Bako Sahakyan, 
President of the Artsakh Republic, for her service in the Artsakh 
Republic.
   Vicky has been married to Art Marachelian for 36 years, and they 
have two children, Chris and Raffi.
   I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well-
respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Vicky 
Marachelian.

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