In Support of Kansas - Armenia Partnership Day
IN SUPPORT OF KANSAS-ARMENIA PARTNERSHIP DAY -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 15, 2004)
SPEECH OF HON. JERRY MORAN
OF KANSAS
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2004
Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor an Armenian-American who has chosen Kansas as his home, and is tirelessly devoted to bringing Kansas and Armenia closer together. Alex Kotoyantz, now a resident of Junction City, Kansas, has worked with Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius to have June 18 designated as Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day.
The Kansas National Guard State Partnership Program has allowed Kansans to travel to Armenia twice for the purposes of assisting with peacekeeping operations as well as health and medical operations. As a former Soviet republic that has faced tragic ethnic conflict, Armenia is in need of assistance. Kansans can and are providing valuable aid.
I would like to include in the RECORD Governor Sebelius's proclamation that declares June 18 Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day. It reads as follows:
"Whereas, The National Guard's State Partnership Program has achieved outstanding success in establishing a military-to-military association and in improving security cooperation between the United States and partner countries; and
Whereas, Kansas is proud to partner with Armenia in military-to-military, military-to-civilian, and civilian-to-civilian contacts and development; and
Whereas, The Kansas National Guard hopes that this endeavor will foster goodwill between Kansas and Armenia and achieve a secure, prosperous and dignified future for the citizens of Armenia; and
Whereas, Armenia's Deputy Minister of Defense and the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense signed the Bi-Lateral Affairs Agreement at the close of the Bi-Lateral Defense Consultations, June 13-18, 2003; and
Whereas, Kansas is grateful for the contributions of Armenian Americans who have chosen Kansas as their adopted homeland; they have employed wisdom, courage and centuries-old traditions to enrich the character of our state;
Now, therefore, I, Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of the State of Kansas, salute the modern nation of Armenia and Armenians everywhere, and do hereby proclaim June 18, 2004, as Kansas-Armenia Partnership Day in Kansas and urge all citizens to join in this observance. Our state and the Armenian nation stand together, with our partnership of peace, prosperity and freedom."
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