In Recognition of Catholicos Aram I Pontifical Visit to California CONGRESSMAN ADAM B. SCHIFF OF CALIFORNIA IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, September 26, 2005 Mr. Speaker, I am honored to join my Armenian American constituents in California’s 29th Congressional District in welcoming the upcoming Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.  His Holiness will be visiting the State of California this October at the invitation of His Eminence, Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian of the Western Prelacy of the Armenian Apostolic Church of America.   His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia, is the spiritual leader for hundreds of thousands of Armenians around the world and one of the most prominent Christian leaders in the Middle East.  The Pontiff presently serves as the Moderator for the World Council of Churches (WCC).  This prominent ecumenical organization is comprised of more than 340 churches from different cultures and nations around the world representing over 400 million Christians.  The Pontiff, who is the first Orthodox and the youngest person to be elevated to this post, is currently serving his second term as Moderator.   The main theme of the Pontiff’s visit is “Towards the Light of Knowledge.”  This theme reflects the Pontiff’s deep faith that only with greater education and dialogue can the world’s conflicts be properly addressed.   The Catholicos’s visit will be marked by a number of major events, including a speech he will deliver on October 14th at the Los Angeles World Affairs Council concerning the challenges to inter-religious dialogue in the Middle East.  He will also participate by giving the main address at a symposium to be held at the University of Southern California focusing on “Christian Responses to Violence.”    Of special significance to the 29th Congressional District, the Catholicos will be consecrating the Saint Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church in Pasadena and blessing a new headquarters for the Western Prelacy.   I ask all Members to join with me and the Armenian American community throughout the State of California in welcoming the upcoming Pontifical visit of His Holiness Aram I, Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia.