[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 11]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 16023]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




     IN RECOGNITION OF THE ASSYRIAN AMERICAN CIVIC CLUB OF TURLOCK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DENNIS A. CARDOZA

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 21, 2011

  Mr. CARDOZA. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Assyrian 
American Civic Club of Turlock, as they celebrate their 65th 
anniversary and commemorate the Centennial of Assyrians settling in 
Turlock.
  Dr. Isaac Adams, an Assyrian medical missionary, established the 
Turlock Assyrian colony in 1910 with 45 people who were members of his 
own family and relatives from Canada, plus some settlers he had 
recruited from Chicago and points East. Beginning in 1920, refugees 
from the holocaust of World War 2 began to arrive in Turlock. Poor as 
they were, the Turlock Assyrians sent money to bring over family 
members who survived the war. By 1930, twenty percent of Turlock's 
population was Assyrian. Most Assyrians concentrated, for the most 
part, on living in peace and making an honest living.
  The civic club today has over 1,200 family members and is involved in 
many Assyrian civic and national activities. They participate in the 
Assyrian Martyr Day, on August 7th, in commemoration of the Assyrians 
massacred during the 20th century, and the Assyrian New year at the 
start of the Spring season. The club also has a beautiful national 
choir and orchestra which promotes the Assyrian culture and heritage 
through concerts conducted throughout the United States. The Assyrian 
American Civic Club of Turlock has worked diligently to assist not only 
their own community but the surrounding area as well and is a 
tremendous source of pride to all of us.
  For the past sixty-five years, the Assyrian American Civic Club of 
Turlock has been focused on serving the interests of the large and 
ever-increasing Assyrian population while also being actively involved 
in the valley communities. Their main objective is to promote unity, 
education, good citizenship and peace for all. The Assyrians are 
excellent members of the community and fine examples to our youth of 
individuals who display civic pride and dedication. I am proud to say 
that many members of the Assyrian American Civic Club of Turlock have 
become close personal friends of mine.
  Please join me in congratulating the Assyrian American Civic Club of 
Turlock on their 65th Anniversary and commemorating the Centennial of 
Assyrians settling in Turlock.

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