[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9400]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 IN RECOGNITION OF ARCHBISHOP VATCHE HOVSEPIAN ON THE 52ND ANNIVERSARY 
         OF HIS ORDINATION AND FOR HIS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY

 Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I rise today to bring to the 
Senate's attention His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian, on the 
52nd anniversary of his ordination.
  Archbishop Hovsepian is an inspirational and dynamic leader in the 
Armenian Church, and this milestone anniversary is a symbol of the 
Archbishop's 52 years of dedicated service and commitment to the 
Armenian people and the greater community in which he serves. Since 
1996, he has served as the Archbishop of the Western Diocese of the 
Armenian Church of North America.
  During his 50 years of service to his Church and community, His 
Eminence Vatche Hovsepian has been very active. The Archbishop has met 
with five Presidents of the United States, along with various religious 
leaders and political figures from all over the world, created new 
parishes, Armenian schools and summer camps. His Eminence Vatche 
Hovsepian has traveled and studied all over the world, thus allowing 
him to have the knowledge of many customs, traditions, cultures and 
languages.
  The Archbishop has spoken eloquently about the Armenian Genocide and 
the importance that it be remembered by Armenians and people around the 
world.
  He has addressed the California State legislature and been warmly 
received. He is widely known for his good works, including assistance 
with reconstruction in Armenia after the 1988 earthquake.
  His Eminence Archbishop Vatche Hovsepian is a warm, compassionate and 
charismatic leader who is most deserving of the outpouring of 
admiration that greets him today and each day. I am honored to pay 
tribute to him, and I encourage my colleagues to join me in 
congratulating the Archbishop on this grand anniversary.

                          ____________________