[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 17]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 23237]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MS. RITA BALIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 24, 2003

  Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize a woman who exemplifies the idea of the humanitarian 
activist, my good friend, Ms. Rita Balian. Rita is an extraordinary 
person who gives significant time and personal resources to see that 
the rate of cancer in the Country of Armenia is significantly reduced.
  Rita is the founder and current president of the Armenian American 
Wellness Center (AAWC). The Center has provided mammography screening 
to over 40,000 women and has been credited with saving the lives of 
nearly 1,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in Armenia. Started in 
April 1997 and originally called the Armenian American Mammography 
University Center (AAMUC), Rita has worked tirelessly to expand the 
Center to serve an ever increasing clientele. Before Rita established 
the Wellness Center in Armenia, not a single mammogram had been 
preformed in the entire country. Instead, women discovered breast 
cancer through obvious pain and a woman's only treatment option was 
complete mastectomy.
  Along with her commitment to the Wellness Center, Rita was closely 
involved in the rebuilding of Armenia in the aftermath of the 
devastating 1988 earthquake. During this time, she worked with the 
Mayor of Alexandria, VA to establish a sister-city program with 
Alexandria and the Armenian town of Gyumri. She has also worked with 
her husband Vartkess to promote their passion for education throughout 
the country.
  Despite her generosity and dedication to her causes, Rita seeks no 
recognition for her work. However, other groups and organizations have 
seen fit to commend her giving spirit. Last year, she was honored by 
the United States Agency for International Development's ``Outstanding 
Citizen'' award for her work with the Wellness Center. Today, she is 
the sole recipient of the ``Cancer Advocacy Award'' as part of the 
Washington Hospital Center's Spirit of Life Awards Celebration.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that my colleagues join the Washington Hospital 
Center, USAID, and the patients of the Armenian American Wellness 
Center and recognize the extraordinary efforts of Rita Balian. It is 
with great pleasure that I speak about her accomplishments today.

                          ____________________