[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1292]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING THE ARMENIAN ASSEMBLY'S 2018 DISTINGUISHED HUMANITARIAN 
                AWARD HONOREE, MS. ANNIE SIMONIAN TOTAH

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 25, 2018

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Armenian 
Assembly's 2018 Distinguished Humanitarian Award honoree, Ms. Annie 
Simonian Totah.
  For over forty years, Ms. Totah has been a leading defender of human 
rights and a vocal advocate of Armenia, Artsakh and the Armenian-
American community. Ms. Totah was the first woman to serve as Chair of 
the Armenian Assembly of America and she remains an effective 
spokesperson for Armenian issues on Capitol Hill. Her life as a 
community leader and activist has truly been a journey of dedication.
  I have known Annie throughout my entire congressional career and I 
can say without hesitation that Annie's passion, dedication and 
commitment to Armenia and Artsakh is unparalleled. Since the demise of 
the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, Annie has worked tirelessly with 
Members of Congress to help secure billions of dollars in assistance to 
Armenia. Her contributions with the Armenian Assembly have included 
efforts that saw the enactment of several pieces of legislation and 
Missions to Armenia that have raised awareness and understanding of key 
issues.
  Ms. Totah helped mobilize relief efforts to provide temporary 
shelters for the homeless victims of the 1988 earthquake in Armenia, 
and collaborated with the Marshall Legacy Institute to help launch the 
``Mine Detection Dog-Partnership'' program in Armenia. Annie was also 
involved early on in the creation of the U.S.-Armenia Task Force for 
Economic Cooperation, and continues to encourage trade and investment 
between the two countries.
  Ms. Totah is the recipient of many honors and awards, including: The 
Ellis Island Medal of Honor; Medal of Appreciation by the President of 
Artsakh; and the Encyclical of Gratitude and Appreciation by His 
Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians.
  Mr. Speaker, I applaud Annie Totah and the Armenian Assembly on this 
occasion and for its powerful voice and professionalism that has truly 
made a difference.

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