[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 10]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 14605]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



            HONORING PILGRIM ARMENIAN CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH

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                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 25, 2001

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Pilgrim Armenian 
Congregational Church for its 100 years of service to the Armenian 
community. The church was founded with only fourteen members on January 
26, 1901.
  The first Armenian settlers to the area did not speak English. They 
formed the Armenian Congregational Church so they could worship 
together, in their native tongue. Although it started with small 
numbers, church membership has grown steadily over the years. In its 
100 years, the church has had eight full-time pastors and several 
interim pastors who have all served with much pride. Church members 
remain very dedicated to the church congregation, and the numbers 
continue to increase.
  Members of the church are committed to their congregation, raising 
every dollar themselves for the construction of new buildings. Pilgrim 
Armenian Congregational Church has had three different houses of 
worship, all increasing in size to meet the demands of the 
congregation. The church has also established two additional funds, 
with all the income from those funds to be used solely for church 
needs. Many community members have found a home within Pilgrim Armenian 
Congregational Church.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate Pilgrim Armenian Congregational 
Church for its dedication to the community over the past 100 years. I 
urge my colleagues to join me in wishing Pilgrim Armenian 
Congregational Church and its members many more years of continued 
success.

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