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[Congressional Bills 107th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Con. Res. 139 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]

        H.Con.Res.139
                                          Agreed to May 25, 2001        

                      One Hundred Seventh Congress

                                 of the

                        United States of America

                          AT THE FIRST SESSION

         Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
             the third day of January, two thousand and one

                          Concurrent Resolution

Whereas the Armenian people have lived in their homeland for more than 
  3,000 years and created a unique civilization;

Whereas two of Jesus Christ's own disciples, Saint Thaddeus and Saint 
  Bartholomew, introduced Christianity in Armenia and were the original 
  founders of the Armenian Church;

Whereas in 301 A.D., Saint Gregory the Illuminator Christianized the 
  entire country of Armenia, was consecrated the first Catholicos of 
  Armenia, and baptized King Drtad of Armenia as a Christian;

Whereas in 301 A.D., King Drtad declared Christianity to be the 
  official religion of Armenia, making it the first Christian state in 
  the world;

Whereas Armenian Church leaders opened schools, cared for the sick and 
  needy, and created alphabets for Armenia and Georgia to make the 
  Scriptures more accessible to the people;

Whereas Armenians' devotion to God led them to create distinctive 
  styles of manuscript illumination, architecture, sculpture, and 
  textiles, that are recognized as masterpieces of Christian art and as 
  major contributions to world art;

Whereas the Armenian Church has persevered in its faith throughout the 
  past 17 centuries in cultures that were hospitable to it and others 
  that were hostile;

Whereas the Armenian Church actively participates in ecumenical bodies 
  and movements, uniting Christians of all denominations world-wide;

Whereas more than 100 communities throughout the United States will 
  celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the acceptance of Christianity in 
  Armenia with special worship and ecumenical services;

Whereas in celebration of the 1700th anniversary, His Holiness Karekin 
  II will visit the United States;

Whereas the 1700th anniversary is an appropriate occasion to celebrate 
  the ideals and values shared by the people of the United States, the 
  people of Armenia, and the Armenian Church in America;

Whereas representatives of the Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faiths, 
  including representatives of the Armenian Church, the National 
  Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the National Council of Churches 
  of Christ in the U.S.A., will celebrate an ecumenical prayer service 
  on May 30, 2001, at the Catholic Basilica of the National Shrine of 
  the Immaculate Conception on the occasion of the 1700th anniversary;

Whereas the Armenian Church, the National Conference of Catholic 
  Bishops, and the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. 
  have chosen the theme ``Walking Together in the Light of Our Lord'' 
  as the message to embrace the ecumenical spirit of brotherhood on the 
  occasion of the 1700th anniversary; and

Whereas the Armenian Church has established parishes throughout the 
  United States and has contributed to the quality of religious life in 
  this Nation: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), 
That the Congress--
        (1) congratulates the Republic of Armenia on the occasion of 
    the 1700th anniversary of the acceptance of Christianity in 
    Armenia;
        (2) welcomes His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and 
    Catholicos of All Armenians, on his visit to the United States; and
        (3) joins with the people of Armenia, the Armenian Church in 
    America, and His Holiness Karekin II in celebrating the ideals and 
    values they share with the people of the United States.
  Attest:

                                 Clerk of the House of Representatives.

  Attest:

                                               Secretary of the Senate.
```