[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 97 (Friday, June 4, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING DR. EDWARD TIRYAKIAN'S DONATION TO YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY

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                          HON. DAVID E. PRICE

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 4, 2021

  Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize 
Dr. Edward Tiryakian, Duke University Professor Emeritus of Sociology, 
for the creation of a library wing in his honor at Yerevan State 
University in Yerevan, Armenia. Dr. Tiryakian donated his professional 
library to the university and was recognized in an official dedication 
ceremony on May 24, 2021.
  Dr. Tiryakian is a renowned scholar, widely published in sociological 
theory, sociology of religion, and sociology of development. As a 
leading sociologist for 65 years, Dr. Tiryakian has amassed a large 
collection of important works in the field, ranging from 19th century 
texts written by founding sociologists to mid-20th century works 
written by prominent sociologists he has studied under. Over two years 
ago, Dr. Tiryakian approached Yerevan State University about donating 
his professional library to the university. The university 
enthusiastically agreed and constructed a dedicated wing in their main 
library to house the collection.
  This generous gift included over 300 published books, many of which 
are rarities in the field and are no longer in print. Dr. Tiryakian 
cited his desire to honor his Armenian heritage as a source of 
inspiration for the generous donation. The University held an official 
commemoration this month for the library wing that will hold Dr. 
Tiryakian 's beloved books.
  Dr. Tiryakian's donation is the latest demonstration of his 
dedication to students and study of sociology as well as his leadership 
in the field. He joined Duke University as a professor in 1965, and he 
and I became friends and colleagues when I joined the faculty a decade 
later. At Duke, he has served as the Sociology Department Chair as well 
as Director of International Studies and was instrumental in 
internationalizing the university. He also has held national leadership 
positions as President of the American Society for the Study of 
Religion and Chair of the American Sociological Association History of 
Sociology Section. Dr. Tiryakian received his bachelor's degree from 
Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University. 
He taught at both institutions before joining the faculty at Duke.
  Throughout his career, Dr. Tiryakian has remained steadfast not only 
in his own pursuit of knowledge, but in his dedication to supporting 
the next generation of scholars at home and abroad. His generous 
donation opens the door for the university's students to learn from 
great scholars in the field of sociology, including Dr. Tiryakian 
himself.
  Madam Speaker, it has been a pleasure to know and work alongside Dr. 
Tiryakian during his extraordinary career. We have had many 
conversations about Armenian history and politics over the years, but I 
had never visited the country until 2019, when, as chairman of the 
House Democracy Partnership, we engaged the Armenian parliament in the 
wake of the country's Velvet Revolution. I thought of Ed Tiryakian 
often during that visit. It is especially satisfying to see him close 
the circle personally and professionally with this gift to Yerevan 
State University, knowing that it will benefit Armenian students and 
enrich Armenian-American ties for years to come

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