E814 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks May 1, 1997 the agency cannot make a determination that marketplace. Additionally, JAA familiarizes stu- In addition to his professional activities, it is substantially equivalent to a marketed de- dents with the hands-on basics of running a Khachigian has served as a Board member of vice, current law requires that the device be business, and explains to them the importance the Armenian Assembly of America, and has sat as a Presidential appointee on the Na- automatically classified as a class IIIÐhigh of economics to their future. Khachigian, a native of the Central Valley, tional Institute of Justice Advisory Board. riskÐdevice, regardless of the actual level of During 1986–1992 he served on the Board of risk posed by the new device. The manufac- has had a distinguished career in American Overseers of the Hoover Institution of War, turer must then either complete costly and politics. A farmer by nature and an attorney by Revolution and Peace at Stanford Univer- time-consuming clinical studies and submit a trade, Khachigian has worked for former Presi- sity. Currently he sits on the Board of the new device approval application to the agency dents Nixon, Reagan, and Bush. In both cam- California Council for Environmental and or must petition the agency for reclassification, paign and executive roles, Khachigian has Economic Balance. which is under current law a complex and been instrumental in formulating and imple- Junior Achievement of Armenia is an eco- nomics and business education program of- time-consuming procedure. menting the ideals and goals of the Repub- lican Party. In addition to his advisory roles fering Applied Economics classes and the Under my bill, the FDA would be given the student company experience in Armenia’s statutory flexibility to classify a new device with Presidents Reagan and Bush, Khachigian high schools, and institutes of higher learn- based on the risk posed by the device, at the played an active role in the successful cam- ing. The program teachers young people how request of a manufacturer whose device was paigns of California Governors George the free enterprise system operates, the role determined to be ``not substantially equivalent'' Deukmejian and Pete Wilson. Most recently, of business in the global marketplace, the to a marketed device. Under the bill, the FDA Khachigian served as National Senior Advisor hands-on basics of running a business, and would retain full authority for determining the for the Dole for President campaign. In this the importance of economics on their future. classification of a device. The agency would position, Khachigian coordinated Senate Ma- Junior Achievement of Armenia is a non- profit organization. simply receive a new, risk-based classification jority Leader Dole's Presidential bid in the f option. Since class III devices require the most State of California. Khachigian has also been active outside the intensive review, this proposal should free up READING CAN OPEN MANY DOORS agency resources to focus on truly high-risk political arena. He has served as a member of devices. the board to the Armenian Assembly of Amer- Second, this legislation will provide the FDA ica. He also sat as a Presidential appointee on HON. NITA M. LOWEY with a much simpler way to recognize device the National Institute of Justice Advisory OF NEW YORK performance standards. Under current law, the Board. From 1986±1992, Khachigian served IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FDA has the authority to promulgate stand- on the Board of Overseers at the Hoover Insti- Thursday, May 1, 1997 ards, but the process for doing so is tortuous. tution on War, Revolution and Peace. He cur- rently resides on the Board of California Coun- Mrs. LOWEY.Mr. Speaker, yesterday I As a result, the agency has rarely used this joined several of my colleagues in introducing authority. Under our bill, the agency would re- cil for Environmental and Economic Balance. Mr. Speaker, Ken Khachigian is a pioneer in President Clinton's America Reads Challenge tain the authority to promulgate its own stand- the area of political advising and consulting. Act. This legislation will help mobilize reading ards, but could also recognize national and Khachigian's numerous accomplishments have specialists and trained volunteers to ensure international performance standards by identi- been instrumental in advancing the agenda for that every child can read by the end of the fying and listing the standard in the Federal a more responsible, independent, and produc- third grade. Register. Devise manufacturers would then tive America. I ask my colleagues to join me Today I want to share with the House an have the option of certifying to the agency that in paying tribute to Ken Khachigian, a man of essay written by Adam Frankel, the 18-year- their products met the standard as a way of impeccable character. Ken should be admired old grandson of two of my constituents. Adam fulfilling all or part of the applicable statutory not only for his multitude of success in Amer- writes eloquently about the joys and benefits requirements which must be met before de- ica, but also for his tremendous contribution of reading. As we pledge our efforts to ensure vices may be marketed. Devise performance toÐand support forÐthe Armenian commu- that all children enter fourth grade reading on standards form the basis for device regulation nity. their own, I thought it might be helpful to hear in the European Community. Providing U.S. how one young American uses this gift to manufacturers with this option would move for- KENNETH KHACHIGIAN JOINS JR. ACHIEVEMENT OF ARMENIA’S BOARD learn about the world. ward our efforts to harmonize our regulatory I insert the text of Adam Frankel's essay at systems. LOS ANGELES, CA—Presidential campaign this point in the RECORD. I would welcome additional cosponsors of advisor and political strategist Kenneth L. Khachigian has recently joined Junior READING CAN OPEN MANY DOORS this commonsense regulatory reform measure. Achievement of Armenia’s (JAA) Honorary (By Adam Frankel If you would like further information or would Board, which also includes former California like to cosponsor this legislation, please call Governor George Deukmejian and Dr. When I hold a book between my hands, I do me or Jane Williams, 5±3761, of my staff. Mihran Agbabian, President Emeritus of the not feel the paper and I do not see the words. f American University of Armenia. The pur- I feel as though I am holding ‘‘knowledge’’ in pose of this distinguished body is to provide my hands, and the more complicated the TRIBUTE TO KENNETH L. JAA with advice, support and guidance. book, the better. That way, it is not just en- KHACHIGIAN ‘‘I am particularly pleased to become a tertaining, but it is something far more en- member of the Honorary Board of Junior joyable: challenging and revealing. After Achievement of Armenia. The remarkable reading and understanding a complicated HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH and rapid growth of the group has made it phrase or book, you feel a sense of accom- OF CALIFORNIA among the most successful non-government plishment. When I hold in my hands William IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES programs in Armenia,’’ commented James and move my eyes slowly across each Khachigian, ‘‘I have great respect for grass- word, I know I am looking into the mind of Thursday, May 1, 1997 roots organizations which promote education James himself. The words he uses to describe Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise to and demonstrate a vision for the future, and things are as much a part of him as his fin- pay tribute to Kenneth L. Khachigian. A legend Junior Achievement of Armenia is just that gerprint. in the political arena and a jewel in the Arme- organization,’’ he said. When writing, your words build up within Khachigian’s career has been highlighted and explode out onto paper with your own nian community, Khachigian has joined the by numerous achievements. Most recently, patent on them. A word can be so much Junior Achievement of Armenia's [JAA] Honor- he served as National Senior Advisor for the more, if it is allowed to be. The difference ary Board. Dole for President campaign. In this post, between a word’s various connotations deter- As noted in the Saturday, March 22 edition his top priority was coordinating Senator mine the feeling of a character, or descrip- of the Armenian Mirror-Spectator (see at- Dole’s presidential campaign in the State of tion of a scene. The word can even determine tached), JAA is an economics and business California. As a political strategist and advi- the future of a state, depending on whether education program that offers Applied Eco- sor, he has led to victory three U.S. Presi- it is used correctly or not in policy planning. nomics classes and the student company ex- dents, including Ronald Reagan and George Walter Lippman once said that he wrote Bush, and several California State leaders, each sentence as if the article were to be perience in Armenia's high schools and institu- including Governors Pete Wilson and George judged on that sentence alone. It is this ap- tions of higher learning. The purpose of the Deukmejian. During his career, Khachigian preciation of the written word that I try to program is to introduce students to the free has also served as chief speech-writer to give to everything I read. And what I have enterprise system, explain how it operates, President Reagan, and was a Nixon White chosen to read has largely defined not only and define its role in business and the global House aide. my interests at the moment, but even my May 1, 1997 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E815 character and future interests. Reading a bi- after spending 22 years in the Naval Reserve, study business administration, management, ography of Allen Dulles led me to Franklin retired as lieutenant commander in 1967. In or economics. Delano Roosevelt and a century of wise men. 1972, he was awarded the Navy Distinguished Reading about the Russian Revolution led Mr. Speaker, I invite my colleagues to join me, through a limited understanding of Karl Public Service Award, the highest civilian me in commending Ms. Bonnie Tam for her Marx, to other political philosophers. award given by the U.S. Navy. outstanding service to our community and in In 1948, he began his own automobile deal- Philosophy opened up great new doors for congratulating her for her academic achieve- ership and continues to be active in that in- me that I had previously not known existed. ments. I suddenly found myself fascinated in how dustry. He has served as director and past different people saw life and how I could at- president of the Motor Car Dealers Associa- f tain that higher form of being. Lippmann tion of southern California and in 1991 was in- helped answer that question for me. He ducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame. wrote that the best way to live life is to keep TRIBUTE TO VICTOR Ambassador Nesen has been active in both removed enough from anything that could ‘‘TRANSPORT’’ MAGHAKIAN affect you negatively, so that you could see local and national politics. In 1970, President it in an objective light. From his biography Nixon appointed Mr. Nesen to the National I learned that he was going through an awful Reserve Board, East-West Center and in 1972 HON. GEORGE P. RADANOVICH marriage at the time he wrote that and was he was appointed Assistant Secretary of the probably developing a plan to deal with it, Navy. In 1981, President Reagan appointed OF CALIFORNIA but it nevertheless affected me greatly. Mr. Nesen Ambassador to Australia and IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES It taught me to ‘‘storm the barricades’’ if Nauru. He remained in that position until his a problem arises rather than ‘‘retreat into a monastery.’’ He also taught me to never return to the United States in 1985. Thursday, May 1, 1997 waste time, but to evaluate any action I Throughout his distinguished career, Am- take in regard to how it will affect me now, bassador Nesen has earned the respect of Mr. RADANOVICH. Mr. Speaker, I rise and in the future and whether it is really many. He was named ``Patriotic Citizen of the today to pay tribute to Victor ``Transport'' worth doing. Year,'' receiving the Patrick Henry Patriotism Maghakian. A legend of World War II, And so now, I collect as many books as I Medallion by the Military Order of World Wars. Maghakian was one of the most decorated think are worth collecting, not because I will In 1991, he was given the Path to Dignity and well-respected soldiers of the war. read them all now, or read all of them later. Award by the American Parkinson Disease I collect them because when I look at my A native of Chicago, Maghakian moved to bookshelf, I feel I’m looking at my potential, Foundation. And, in 1994 he received the San Diego with his family in 1930. Nine years and when you are constantly reminded of World Citizen Award from the World Affairs later, he moved to Fresno. He first served in your potential, it is hard not to do your best Council of Ventura County. The award was the U.S. Marine Corps in the Philippines and to fulfill it. presented by Vice President Dan Quayle. throughout China. His familiarity with foreign Perhaps by reading philosophy, but prob- Ambassador Nesen is a model for us all. bases throughout the Pacific earned him the ably even before that, I have always had a His unwavering patriotism and dedication to great sense of history, and my future. I sit nickname ``Transport.'' After Pearl Harbor was duty are truly an inspiration. I am proud to pay attacked on December 7, 1941, Maghakian re- sometimes on the porch with my father and tribute to him today. grandfather in Bermuda or Scarsdale. We sit enlisted in the Marine Corps and was selected around, look up at those stars that are so no- f to work with the so-called suicide unit of crack ticeably lacking in New York City and we RECOGNITION OF BONNIE TAM soldiers. These tough Marines were known as philosophize: Carlson's Raiders. My grandfather explains the theory of ‘‘priming the pump’’ one minute and then HON. TOM LANTOS As a gunnery sergeant, Maghakian led his gives lessons from those days when he was OF CALIFORNIA troops through what was believed to be some living through the Depression. He tells me IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES of the bloodiest fighting in seven South Pacific the story of a speech he submitted for Hu- campaigns. During one mission, Maghakian bert Humphrey, which opposed the Vietnam Thursday, May 1, 1997 even made himself a human target so that a War and was firmly rejected by the can- Mr. LANTOS. Mr. Speaker, I invite my col- didate, who was then vice president. sniper, who had wounded one of his buddies, We all sit around: my grandfather, a testa- league to join me today in commending Ms. would give up his hiding spot. The enemy was ment to history; my father, a testament to Bonnie Tam, a senior at Westmoor High shot, but not before Maghakian was shot him- intellectualism, and I, a testament to poten- School and the recipient of the Congressional self, wounded by the sniper's gun-fire. tial. I think of how much they have influ- Youth Excellence Award in the 12th Congres- enced me and how much I want to be as in- sional District of California. Maghakian's bravery allowed him to con- telligent and as well read as they are. And Bonnie Tam's scholastic achievements are tinue undaunted through numerous battles. In then I realize that I have a long way to go; most impressive. She has maintained a high 1944, during the battle of Eniwetok, he elimi- and that through reading the books which I grade point average while undertaking a chal- nated the last four Japanese soldiers on Mellu collect, I will slowly chip away at the large Island and went on to rescue a platoon by de- block of space between theirs and my intel- lenging class schedule. She has supple- lectual stamina. mented her regular high school courses by stroying the enemy flank with grenades. In the I can’t wait until college, when required taking classes at the College of San Mateo battle, he saved the life of a young man who reading will be Nietzsche and Hegel. Hope- and at Skyline College. Her academic awards went on to be one of Hollywood's finest ac- fully, by then, I’ll be able to grasp more of include the Pacific Telesis Employees for torsÐLee Marvin. He also became the first of- them than I can now. I do know that the Women's Affirmative Action Scholarship, the ficer to raise the American flag on Tinian Is- pride of my household will always be my li- Bank of America Liberal Arts Award, Golden land. brary. For, looking into the books’ eyes, I see, I know, my future. State Exam Honors for Geometry and Amer- After leaving active duty in 1946, Maghakian ican History, Golden State Exam Student Rec- f retired as a captain, with full honors. He re- ognition for Biology and Algebra, and a Na- ceived the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, a SALUTE TO AMBASSADOR ROBERT tional Merit Letter of Commendation. Ms. Tam Bronze Star, and two Purple Hearts. He re- NESEN has been recognized in the Who's Who of turned to Fresno where he owned and man- American High School Students. aged the Mid-Valley Beer and Wine Wholesale HON. ELTON GALLEGLY In addition to her outstanding academic Distributing Co. and the Victor Mobile Service. record, Bonnie has a remarkable record of OF CALIFORNIA Maghakian later joined the State Department community service. She has volunteered at IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES as a security officer in Morocco before settling Seton Medical Center in Daly City and at the in Las Vegas. He eventually moved back to Thursday, May 1, 1997 Westside Women's HIV Prevention Program in Fresno where he died in 1977, and was buried Mr. GALLEGLY. Mr. Speaker, I would like to San Francisco. In Westmoor High School, she at Ararat Cemetery. recognize Ambassador Robert Nesen for his has been involved in Symphonic Band, the numerous contributions to the State of Califor- Book Club, German Club, Math Tutoring Club, Mr. Speaker, Victor ``Transport'' Maghakian nia and his country. Newcomer Service Club, and the Gifted and fought for this Nation's freedom with uncom- In 1942, Mr. Nesen was commissioned in Talented Education Club. mon valor. I ask my colleagues to join me in the U.S. Navy, receiving his Navy wings in Bonnie will attend the University of Califor- paying tribute to Victor Maghakian, an Amer- 1943. He was on active duty until 1946 and nia, Berkeley, in the fall where she plans to ican hero.