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Congressional Record: March 17, 2005
A TRIBUTE TO FLORA DUNAIANS, 29TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE
YEAR--2005
______
HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History
Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and
sacrifices made by our Nation's women during the month of March. It is
an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference
in my Congressional District.
I would like to recognize an outstanding woman in my Congressional
District, Ms. Flora Dunaians. For many years, Flora has brought an
abounding spirit and energy to her service in the community. Those
fortunate enough to meet and work with Flora instantly recognize her
enthusiasm and passion for helping others, especially on behalf of the
Armenian American community and the arts.
Born and raised in Pasadena, Flora Jane Calusdian married George
Dunaians in 1958 and they had 2 daughters, Gigi and Suzie. In 1968 the
Dunaians formed their own business, Western Medical Supply, Inc., where
Flora is currently the Vice President and Secretary.
Flora is devoted to her church and community. For over 40 years,
Flora has been active at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic
Church, serving as Trustee and member of the St. Gregory Auxiliary. On the
occasion of the visit of His Holiness Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians
to the United States in
1987, Flora and George donated to the new cathedral fund for the
Diocese. In 1988 following the devastating earthquake in Armenia, the
Dunaians arranged for donated emergency goods to be flown to Yerevan on
Armand Hammer's private plane. She has been involved in many church-
related projects throughout the Diocese, such as the Operation Karabakh
Fund, Operation Winter Rescue and Operation Fuel, and continues to
support various projects throughout the Diocese and the Holy See of
Etchmiadzin.
Constantly finding ways to improve the social condition for children
in Armenia, Flora co-founded Developmental Services for Armenia, a non-
profit organization that helps schools, orphanages and short term
projects. She also established and continues to support a dental clinic
at the Nork Military Academy in Yerevan.
Flora and George are both founding members of the Consulate of the
Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles. Flora is also a board member of the
Armenian Assembly of America, the National Board of Team Armenia, and
the Armenian Professional Society, where she and her husband have
opened their home to raise funds for student scholarships for the last
25 years.
In addition to her extensive community service, Flora is a supporter
of the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art, the Pasadena Playhouse,
and the New York Foundation for the Arts.
I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an outstanding woman
of California's 29th Congressional District, Flora Dunaians. The entire
community joins me in thanking Flora for her success and continued
efforts toward making the 29th Congressional District a more enjoyable
place in which to live and work.
A TRIBUTE TO FLORA DUNAIANS, 29TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WOMAN OF THE
YEAR--2005
______
HON. ADAM B. SCHIFF
of california
in the house of representatives
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor of Women's History
Month. Each year, we pay special tribute to the contributions and
sacrifices made by our Nation's women during the month of March. It is
an honor to pay homage to outstanding women who are making a difference
in my Congressional District.
I would like to recognize an outstanding woman in my Congressional
District, Ms. Flora Dunaians. For many years, Flora has brought an
abounding spirit and energy to her service in the community. Those
fortunate enough to meet and work with Flora instantly recognize her
enthusiasm and passion for helping others, especially on behalf of the
Armenian American community and the arts.
Born and raised in Pasadena, Flora Jane Calusdian married George
Dunaians in 1958 and they had 2 daughters, Gigi and Suzie. In 1968 the
Dunaians formed their own business, Western Medical Supply, Inc., where
Flora is currently the Vice President and Secretary.
Flora is devoted to her church and community. For over 40 years,
Flora has been active at St. Gregory the Illuminator Armenian Apostolic
Church, serving as Trustee and member of the St. Gregory Auxiliary. On the
occasion of the visit of His Holiness Vasken I, Catholicos of All Armenians
to the United States in
1987, Flora and George donated to the new cathedral fund for the
Diocese. In 1988 following the devastating earthquake in Armenia, the
Dunaians arranged for donated emergency goods to be flown to Yerevan on
Armand Hammer's private plane. She has been involved in many church-
related projects throughout the Diocese, such as the Operation Karabakh
Fund, Operation Winter Rescue and Operation Fuel, and continues to
support various projects throughout the Diocese and the Holy See of
Etchmiadzin.
Constantly finding ways to improve the social condition for children
in Armenia, Flora co-founded Developmental Services for Armenia, a non-
profit organization that helps schools, orphanages and short term
projects. She also established and continues to support a dental clinic
at the Nork Military Academy in Yerevan.
Flora and George are both founding members of the Consulate of the
Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles. Flora is also a board member of the
Armenian Assembly of America, the National Board of Team Armenia, and
the Armenian Professional Society, where she and her husband have
opened their home to raise funds for student scholarships for the last
25 years.
In addition to her extensive community service, Flora is a supporter
of the Arpa Foundation for Film, Music and Art, the Pasadena Playhouse,
and the New York Foundation for the Arts.
I ask all Members to join me today in honoring an outstanding woman
of California's 29th Congressional District, Flora Dunaians. The entire
community joins me in thanking Flora for her success and continued
efforts toward making the 29th Congressional District a more enjoyable
place in which to live and work.