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CR: In Recognition of Reverend Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian

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  • CR: In Recognition of Reverend Dr. Vahan H. Tootikian

    Congressional Record: September 20, 2005 (Senate)]
    >From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

    ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

    IN RECOGNITION OF REVEREND DR. VAHAN H. TOOTIKIAN

    Mr. LEVIN. Mr. President, I would like to call my colleagues'
    attention to a distinguished religious leader in Michigan, Reverend Dr.
    Vahan H. Tootikian. Dr. Tootikian will be honored at a special
    testimonial banquet on Sunday, September 25, 2005, in Troy, MI. The
    tribute will mark his retirement from active parish ministry and will
    recognize his 30 years as pastor of the Armenian Congregational Church of
    Greater Detroit and his 46 years
    of Christian ministry. Since accepting his call to the ministry in
    1959, Dr. Tootikian has used his talents and unique skills to encourage
    and enlighten people around the world. He has earned the respect and
    admiration of the Armenian and the greater religious community in
    Michigan, throughout North America, and around the world for his
    pastoral leadership and his commitment and devotion to service.
    Born in Kessab, Syria in 1935, Dr. Tootikian received his primary
    education at the Armenian Evangelical schools in Syria and his
    secondary education in Beirut, Lebanon. He simultaneously earned a
    bachelor of art degree with honors and a bachelor of theology degree
    with honors from the American University of Beirut and the Near East
    School of Theology, respectively. He then served as pastor of Armenian
    Evangelical Churches in Syria and Egypt before coming to the United
    States in 1965 to pursue religious studies at Hartford Seminary,
    Harvard Divinity School, and Andover Newton Theological Seminary. While
    serving as minister of the Armenian Memorial Church in Watertown, MA,
    Dr. Tootikian earned a master of sacred theological degree in 1970, and
    a doctor of ministry degree cum laude in 1973.
    In 1975, Dr. Tootikian was welcomed into the pastorate of the
    Armenian Congregational Church of Greater Detroit. Under his spiritual
    guidance, the Church has flourished and undergone expansion, which has
    included a new Christian Education Building, the founding of an
    Armenian library, and the organizing of the Armenian Heritage Committee
    to preserve and perpetuate the Armenian Christian Heritage.
    Over the years, Dr. Tootikian has also provided leadership to
    numerous organizations, including the Armenian Evangelical Union of
    America, Armenian Missionary Association of America, and the Armenian
    Evangelical World Council--AEWC. During his tenure with AEWC, the
    1700th Anniversary of Armenian Christendom was celebrated by all
    Armenian Evangelical Unions in Yerevan, Armenia, and the first Armenian
    Evangelical Pastors' Conference was held in May 2003 in Evian, France.
    As a scholar and lecturer, Dr. Tootikian has provided instruction at
    the University of Michigan and at the Lawrence Technological
    University. Dr. Tootikian has authored 27 books, with 6 of them
    currently in use as college textbooks. In addition, he has been a
    frequent contributor to many magazines and papers, and currently writes
    bilingual articles for 12 Armenian papers and periodicals. His efforts
    in support of various educational, philanthropic, religious and
    cultural organizations have been recognized through many awards and the
    establishment of endowment funds in his honor.
    I know my colleagues join me in congratulating Dr. Tootikian on his
    service to the community, and on his many achievements in the pastoral
    ministry. I am pleased to offer my best wishes to him on his
    retirement, and for many more years of good health, happiness, and
    contribution to the spiritual well being of many people around the
    world.
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