Extensions of Remarks E1915 EXTENSIONS of REMARKS
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September 30, 2003 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E1915 EXTENSIONS OF REMARKS IN RECOGNITION OF VAHAK AND and an active participant in a host of chari- EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF THE PARIS HOVNANIAN table organizations where she exhibits her HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES strong and effective leadership skills. THAT THE UNITED STATES HON. FRANK PALLONE, JR. POSTAL SERVICE SHOULD ISSUE Mr. Speaker, Vahak and Paris Hovnanian A POSTAGE STAMP COMMEMO- OF NEW JERSEY have given back so generously to their com- IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RATING THE FISK JUBILEE munity. Their tireless and selfless efforts have SINGERS Tuesday, September 30, 2003 benefited those in America and around the Mr. PALLONE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to world. Accordingly, I ask that my colleagues HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS laud the accomplishments of Mr. and Mrs. rise and join me in honoring these remarkable OF FLORIDA Vahak Hovnanian, who are this year’s recipi- individuals, Mr. and Mrs. Vahak and Paris IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ents of the Artistic Eminence Award presented Hovnanian. by Pacific Encore Performances, for their out- Tuesday, September 30, 2003 standing commitment to the arts and music. f Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, These two remarkable individuals have served today I am proud to introduce a resolution call- their community through numerous contribu- HONORING THE 50TH ANNIVER- ing on the U.S. Postal Service to honor the tions to the economy, culture, and education. SARY OF THE MAUMEE, OHIO Fisk Jubilee Singers with a commemorative Together, this couple’s service to local, na- KIWANIS CLUB stamp. tional, and the world community has been The Fisk Jubilee Singers are true heroes in nothing short of extraordinary. In 1976, they the fight for civil rights and racial equality in began the Hovnanian School that started with HON. MARCY KAPTUR education. Their heritage goes back more than only thirteen students in a church basement. one hundred and thirty years to just after the Today the school consists of 200 students OF OHIO Civil War. These singers are part of a unique with a curriculum that focuses on multicultural IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES group of former slaves who made it their pas- studies as well as art, music, and theater. In sion to achieve the kind of education that they 1998, the Hovnanians together with the Arme- Tuesday, September 30, 2003 did not have access to before emancipation. nian Minister of Culture sponsored competi- Their spirit has been felt all across this nation Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Speaker, on March 17, tions in all cultural arts. Later, Mr. and Mrs. and around the world, and it is my honor to Hovnanian started the Sayat Hoa Festival 1953, the Maumee, Ohio Kiwanis Club was stand before you today to tell you about the where Armenian artists could showcase their chartered. This year, the organization proudly legacy of the Fisk Jubilee Singers, whom I talent. celebrates its fiftieth anniversary. Its members hold near to my heart. Mr. and Mrs. Hovnanian are remarkable in- through the years have fostered its growth, The Fisk School was founded in Nashville, dividuals in their own right, and should be and ‘‘have demonstrated that service, hard Tennessee, just after the end of the Civil War. celebrated for their personal accomplishments work, and good fellowship bring individual sat- This school was intended to transcend the ra- as well as those they accomplish together. In isfaction’’ according to its guide. cial divide, with the founders of the University 1952, Mr. Hovnanian emigrated from Baghdad opening the doors of education to all persons, An integral part of Maumee’s fabric, the to America in pursuit of higher education. After regardless of their race. Recently emancipated receiving his degree in physics, he and his Kiwanians have contributed much to the com- slaves, ecstatic at the limitless possibilities for three brothers formed the Hovnanian Brothers munity in the club’s half-century. Many stu- freedom offered by learning, took it upon Corporation, building homes in Monmouth and dents have received scholarships that have themselves to create in the Fisk School an Ocean Counties, New Jersey. In 1969, the enabled them to further their higher education. educational institution that would give to them brothers chose to separate and form busi- Other young people have been able to partici- a sense of profound moral purpose in the nesses of their own. It was at this time that pate in sports because of the Kiwanis Club’s great American democracy. The sale of slave Mr. Hovnanian became the founding chairman gifts and team sponsorships. Still more youth paraphernalia paid for the opening of the and president of the widely recognized resi- have had the opportunity to attend summer school, and in 1867 the Fisk School became dential and commercial real estate and devel- camp and recreational activities thanks to the Fisk University, now the oldest university in opment corporation, Hovbilt Inc. and Adelphia Maumee Kiwanis. Senior citizens, too, have Nashville. Water and Sewer Company. In addition, he Fisk University’s accomplishments in the ad- been helped by Kiwanis’ donations to the and his son Shant created the V.S. Hovnanian vancement of educational opportunities for Af- Group, elevating them to a prominent status Maumee Senior Center. The community at rican-American’s is far too long to mention amongst New Jersey real estate developers, large has also benefited from Kiwanis civic of- here. I will tell you briefly that some of the entrepreneurs, and philanthropists. ferings such as park maintenance and pur- most honored African-American artists, think- Yet, Mr. Hovnanian’s ambitions did not stop chases to restore buildings of the Maumee ers and activists attended or were involved with his business endeavors. He went on to Historical Society. with Fisk, including W.E.B DuBois, Booker T. become the president of the Howell Township The Maumee Kiwanis Club is an able em- Washington, Charles Spurgeon Johnson, Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the local bodiment of the international organization’s James Weldon Johnson, and Thurgood Mar- Rotary Club, a Monmouth University trustee, shall, to name a few of the more distinguished motto, ‘‘We Build.’’ Through its efforts, all of and Chairman of the Monmouth Conservation African-Americans. Indeed, Fisk University Foundation. In 1988, Mr. Hovnanian spon- the residents of Maumee but especially its played an enormously profound role in the ad- sored the first New Jersey Waterfront Mara- children, have been built up and strengthened. vancement of black learning and culture in thon and underwrote the banquet honoring Truly, Maumee Kiwanians have proudly America. I am both humbled by and proud of Olympic Marathon Trials. upheld its theme: ‘‘Serving the children of the the time that I, too, spent at Fisk University. Mrs. Paris Hovnanian has also accom- world.’’ I am very pleased to recognize the Many of the values I hold dear to my heart plished much to be proud of. Born in Jeru- achievements of the Maumee Kiwanis Club today I learned from my colleagues and pro- salem, she too immigrated to America to fur- and congratulate its members past and fessors at Fisk. ther her education. She completed her Bach- present on 50 years of service as we look for- It was in 1871 that a group of students at elors Degree in sociology and education and ward to 50 more. Onward. Fisk University formed a choral group that later attended Columbia University on scholar- they named the Fisk Jubilee Singers. ship for graduate studies. Mrs. Hovnanian is a Mr. Speaker, the Fisk Jubilee Singers have co-founder of the New York Academy of Art made a lasting contribution to racial equality ∑ This ‘‘bullet’’ symbol identifies statements or insertions which are not spoken by a Member of the Senate on the floor. Matter set in this typeface indicates words inserted or appended, rather than spoken, by a Member of the House on the floor. VerDate jul 14 2003 05:20 Oct 01, 2003 Jkt 019060 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 0626 Sfmt 9920 E:\CR\FM\A30SE8.001 E30PT1 E1916 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks September 30, 2003 and black culture in America. They introduced ical Leave Act. Furthermore, Congressman RECOGNIZING THE DESIGNATION the spiritual as a musical genre, and dem- PAYNE’s record on environmental conservation OF THE CAPITAL CHILDREN’S onstrated a truly unique commitment to their issues has been rated one of the best in Con- MUSEUM AS THE NATIONAL education. It is time that we in Congress honor gress. CHILDREN’S MUSEUM their incredible achievements in such a man- ner that all of America will come to know of Before being elected to serve in the House HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON of Representatives, Mr. PAYNE had a distin- their commitment. OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to pass guished career that included service on the IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES my resolution encouraging the Postal Service Newark Municipal Council and the Essex Tuesday, September 30, 2003 to issue a postage stamp commemorating the County Board of Chosen Freeholders. Mr. Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I was pleased legacy and achievements of the Fisk Jubilee PAYNE was also an executive of the Prudential to support enactment of H.R. 13, the Museum Singers. Insurance Company, Vice President of Urban and Library Services Act of 2003. In addition f Data Systems, and an educator in the Newark to authorizing Federal funding support for our RECOGNIZING CONGRESSMAN public school system. Nation’s museums and libraries, the bill con- DONALD M. PAYNE Congressman PAYNE, a native of New Jer- tains a small provision with great importance sey, graduated from Seton Hall University and to the District of Columbia.