[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 47 (Wednesday, March 11, 2020)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E295]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  TRIBUTE TO DR. ANI HALABI--28TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE 
                                  YEAR

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, March 11, 2020

  Mr. SCHIFF. Madam 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, Dr. Ani Halabi 
of Tujunga, California.
   Ani Halabi is a devoted wife and mother and has been a successful 
optometrist for fifteen years. Born in Tehran, Iran, Ani was first 
introduced to optometry while working in her family's business 
marketing and designing an eyeglass frame line. She attended Glendale 
Community College and California State University, Northridge where she 
received a bachelor's degree in biology, all while working in a private 
optometry practice. Dr. Halabi continued her education at the Southern 
California College of Optometry, where she received her Doctorate of 
Optometry. She specializes in primary eye care, which includes 
diagnosis and treatment of ocular diseases, prescribing contact lenses 
and glasses, and working with local eye surgeons.
   Dr. Halabi is an active volunteer and member of several local non-
profit organizations. She is a 10-year member of the Armenian American 
Medical Society, where she has helped coordinate the vision clinic at 
the Glendale Health Festival, which serves more than 1,500 
disadvantaged patients annually. She is also a 10-year member of the 
Glendale Northwest Lions Club, where she is a co-chair of the sight 
conservation committee, and under her leadership, the club has provided 
free eyeglasses to people in need and has offered eye screenings that 
have restored and improved vision to more than 3,000 individuals. In 
addition, as a Glendale Healthy Kids organization volunteer, Ani has 
provided free eye care services for underprivileged families and 
children. She has also volunteered at vision screenings at several 
schools, including St. Mary's Richard Tufenkian Preschool & 
Kindergarten, Glendale High School and Herbert Hoover High School, 
educating parents about routine eyecare and providing early detection 
of vision problems.
   Dr. Halabi has made it her mission to help aspiring optometrists by 
mentoring students and offering internships at her practice. She 
regularly sits on the panel of Glendale Community College's 
Professional Alumni and has volunteered at college events to guide 
students who have an interest in the field of optometry. Ani's 
successes have been recognized by ``Women in Optometry'' magazine, who 
featured her on their cover.
   Dr. Halabi and her husband, Steve Khroyan live in Tujunga and have 
two children, Nara and Sareen.
   I ask all Members to join me in honoring this exceptional, well-
respected woman of California's 28th Congressional District, Dr. Ani 
Halabi.

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