The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING DR. EDWARD TIRYAKIAN'S DONATION TO YEREVAN STATE UNIVERSITY
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HON. DAVID E. PRICE
of north carolina
in the house of representatives
Friday, June 4, 2021
Mr. PRICE of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Edward Tiryakian, Duke University Professor Emeritus of Sociology, for the creation of a library wing in his honor at Yerevan State University in Yerevan, Armenia. Dr. Tiryakian donated his professional library to the university and was recognized in an official dedication ceremony on May 24, 2021.
Dr. Tiryakian is a renowned scholar, widely published in sociological theory, sociology of religion, and sociology of development. As a leading sociologist for 65 years, Dr. Tiryakian has amassed a large collection of important works in the field, ranging from 19th century texts written by founding sociologists to mid-20th century works written by prominent sociologists he has studied under. Over two years ago, Dr. Tiryakian approached Yerevan State University about donating his professional library to the university. The university enthusiastically agreed and constructed a dedicated wing in their main library to house the collection.
This generous gift included over 300 published books, many of which are rarities in the field and are no longer in print. Dr. Tiryakian cited his desire to honor his Armenian heritage as a source of inspiration for the generous donation. The University held an official commemoration this month for the library wing that will hold Dr. Tiryakian 's beloved books.
Dr. Tiryakian's donation is the latest demonstration of his dedication to students and study of sociology as well as his leadership in the field. He joined Duke University as a professor in 1965, and he and I became friends and colleagues when I joined the faculty a decade later. At Duke, he has served as the Sociology Department Chair as well as Director of International Studies and was instrumental in internationalizing the university. He also has held national leadership positions as President of the American Society for the Study of Religion and Chair of the American Sociological Association History of Sociology Section. Dr. Tiryakian received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University and a Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University. He taught at both institutions before joining the faculty at Duke.
Throughout his career, Dr. Tiryakian has remained steadfast not only in his own pursuit of knowledge, but in his dedication to supporting the next generation of scholars at home and abroad. His generous donation opens the door for the university's students to learn from great scholars in the field of sociology, including Dr. Tiryakian himself.
Madam Speaker, it has been a pleasure to know and work alongside Dr. Tiryakian during his extraordinary career. We have had many conversations about Armenian history and politics over the years, but I had never visited the country until 2019, when, as chairman of the House Democracy Partnership, we engaged the Armenian parliament in the wake of the country's Velvet Revolution. I thought of Ed Tiryakian often during that visit. It is especially satisfying to see him close the circle personally and professionally with this gift to Yerevan State University, knowing that it will benefit Armenian students and enrich Armenian-American ties for years to come
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 97
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