In Recognition of Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society's 75th Anniversary Worldwide and 35th Anniversary of Establishment in California CONGRESSMAN ADAM B. SCHIFF OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, December 15, 2003 Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society as it celebrates its 75th anniversary worldwide and 35th anniversary of its establishment in California. Hamazkayin Armenian Educational and Cultural Society was founded by a group of community leaders on May 28, 1928, in Cairo, Egypt, with the objective of providing a sound education to the new generation and preserving the ethnic identity and cultural heritage of the Armenian people, forced to live outside their homeland after the 1915 genocide and the fall, in 1920, of the First Republic of Armenia. Subsequently, Hamazkayin Chapters sprouted throughout the Middle East, Europe, the United States, Canada, South America and Armenia to instill, perpetuate and preserve the centuries old Armenian culture. Hamazkayin established several schools and centers of learning. In 1930, Jemaran, an elementary and high school was founded in Beirut, Lebanon and it continues to be an important educational center in the Middle East. Similar schools were established in 1976 in Marseille, France and in 1986 in Sydney, Australia. In addition, Hamazkayin has an advanced learning institute for Armenian language and literature, as well as a printing press and publishing house in Beirut, Lebanon. The Western USA Executive Board of Hamazkayin supervises the operations of eight chapters and seven special committees operating in Southern California, Fresno and San Francisco. This non-profit organization, run solely by dedicated and tireless volunteers, sponsors a plethora of activities including lectures, seminars, after-school workshops, commemorative events, exhibitions, concerts, recitals, traditional dance ensembles, dramatic arts troupes and choirs. The Western USA Executive Board's seven special committees, namely Music, Art, Contemporary and Heritage Committees, Ani Dance Company, Saroyan Theater Company and Armenian Folk Instrument Orchestra, have one common goal: the conservation of the Armenian intellectual legacy and the promotion of cultural values. The activities of these Special Committees include preservation of classical, folk and popular music, performances of traditional and ethnic dances in authentic costumes, promotion of theatrical arts, presentation of social conventions and traditions throughout the centuries, as well as encouragement and support to talented young artists. It is my distinct honor to recognize Hamazkayin's innumerable accomplishments over the years. I ask all members of the United States House of Representatives to join me in congratulating Hamazkayin's 35 years of contributions to the ethnic diversity of the United States by nurturing the Armenian traditions and national heritage and sharing these cultural values with other communities, especially in California.