Frank Pallone: “I also would like to thank His Holiness Karekin II for providing this morning's prayer and for helping this House…”

“I also would like to thank His Holiness Karekin II for providing this morning's prayer and for helping this House celebrate the 1700th anniversary of the world's first Christian nation, Armenia. It was 1700 years ago that the leader of the Kingdom of Armenia, the pagan King Drtad III, was baptized as a Christian and made the historic decision to proclaim Christianity as the official religion of the Armenian kingdom. It is the anniversary of this event that brings His Holiness to the United States this month. I will be fortunate to join him at what should be one of the largest gatherings of Armenian Americans in New York City's Central Park this upcoming Memorial Day weekend. His Holiness will also be the honored guest at an ecumenical prayer service next week at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception here in Washington. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank His Holiness for gracing this House with his presence this morning and for making this trip to the United States. It not only means a lot to me but to the millions of diaspora Armenians and Americans of other faiths who will have the opportunity to hear his words during this visit.”