Honoring the Ani Dance Ensemble CONGRESSMAN ADAM B. SCHIFF OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, October 05, 2004 Mr. Schiff: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Waxman and I rise today to honor "the Ani Dance Ensemble,'' part of the Armenian Educational and Cultural Society, Hamazkayin, as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Hamazkayin 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 Armenian genocide. Subsequently, Hamazkayin chapters sprouted throughout the Middle East, Europe, the United States, Canada, South America and Armenia to instill, perpetuate and preserve the centuries of Armenian culture. Hamazkayin has been successful in establishing secondary and higher educational institutions which have prepared scholars, literary figures, and community leaders throughout Armenia and the Diaspora. The establishment of ``the Ani Dance Ensemble'' achieves the objectives of Hamazkayin through their unique performances of traditional Armenian folk dances. "The Ani Dance Ensemble" was established in 1974 in Los Angeles, California under the leadership of artistic directors/choreographers Ms. Suzy Barseghian-Tarpinian and Mr. Yeghia Hasholian. The ensemble has had more than 80 dances in its repertoire, and presently consists of 40 dancers. Since its inception it has performed and captivated audiences throughout California as well as cities across the nation including Washington DC, Chicago, Illinois; Falls Church, Virginia; and Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, the group has performed in Armenia and Karabagh in 1999, 2001, and 2004. The ensemble has also represented Armenian Culture through Armenian folk dances at the American Ethnic Day in Washington, DC in 1987. They are frequently invited by American, ethnic and Armenian organizations to perform at functions. As one of the oldest and most accomplished Armenian Dance Ensembles in the United States, it is recognized as one of the best ethnic dance groups in America. It is our distinct honor to recognize the cultural contributions of "the Ani Dance Ensemble.'' I ask all members to join me in congratulating the "the Ani Dance Ensemble's'' 30 years of performing traditional Armenian folk dances.