[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11586]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



               TRIBUTE TO PANORAMA AND ALEXANDER POLOVETS

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                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 20, 2000

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Berman, and I wish to pay 
tribute to a remarkable man and his equally remarkable newspaper. In 
July of this year, ``Panorama,'' The Russian-language newspaper which 
is the brainchild of Alexander Polovets, will celebrate its 20th 
anniversary, its 1,000th edition and the 65th birthday of its editor-
in-chief, Alexander Polovets.
  In 1978 Alexander Polovets started to publish a weekly Russian-
language insert in a local Anglo-Jewish newspaper. It met with instant 
popularity and in 1980 Alexander published the first issue of 
``Panorama,'' an independent weekly publication. ``Panorama'' went on 
to become the largest independent Russian-language weekly outside of 
Russia and certainly one of the most influential voices in the Russian-
speaking community.
  ``Panorama's'' goal is to provide a forum for original materials of 
authors, thinkers and public figures in the United States and abroad. 
Equally important, it serves the needs of the growing Russian-speaking 
community in the United States. ``Panorama'' offers a unique 
opportunity to share information about life in the United States, 
helping to acclimate recent immigrants and to offer a focal point for 
cooperation within the Russian community.
  ``Panorama'' has published the works of some of the best known 
contemporary authors and thinkers, organized and promoted U.S. 
concerts, and raised important social issues such as welfare reform, 
immigration, crime and housing. It has featured interviews with 
prominent national and international figures and most recently it was 
instrumental in making the 2000 Census campaign a success in the 
immigrant community.
  The publication is used as reference material by hundreds of 
universities, libraries and social agencies. Its subscribers are 
worldwide, as is its staff of reporters. It is no surprise that in 1999 
Alexander Polovets was named one of the ``100 Most Influential Jews in 
Los Angeles'' by the authoritative ``Jewish Journal.'' ``Panorama'' is 
the resource for anyone wishing to reach the Russian-speaking 
community.
  We ask our colleagues to join us in congratulating Alexander Polovets 
and ``Panorama'' for enriching our community for twenty wonderful 
years. Happy 65th Birthday to Alexander and best wishes for continued 
success.




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