phans (and special needs children) in
Russia for 15 years, said, “My first
trip to Russia was in 2000, and I
have now been to Russia 20 times.
I love America, and I also love Rus-
sia. I feel at home in Russia and can’t
wait to return there for my next visit
in December. I find the people to
be friendly. I have seen Russia make
many advances in the quality of care
provided to orphans over the years.
In the past two years, Russia began
providing more care and opportuni-
ties for special needs children. I am
honored and blessed to be able to
work with the children in Russia.”
The third one is Gene Burd, the
Russian immigrant, who has been
helping and supporting the Russian-
American Association of the WWII
veterans for a decade. He has been
doing it since he is thankful to them
for their courage from1941 to1945.
This was our third annual event. We
honor not only the best of the best
ones in Houston, but also those who
live in different states of the USA.
Among our honorees George Ab-
bey, Former Director of NASA and
currently the Senior Fellow in Space
Policy at the Baker Institute; Dr.
Alex Ignatiev, Director of the Uni-
versity of Houston Center for Ad-
vanced Materials and the Hugh Roy
and Lillie Cranz Cullen, Professor
of Physics, Chemistry, and Electri-
cal and Computing Engineering; Dr.
Michael Kolonin, pioneering works
linking adipose tissue, stem cells, and
cancer; Daniel Russell, President and
CEO, U.S.-Russia Business Coun-
cil (Washington DC), Alexander
Prokhorov, M.D., Ph.D., Professor,
the University of Texas MD Ander-
son, and Rosita Kirkman, President
of Houston Balalaika Orchestra So-
ciety.
This event was in November when
our city celebrates the Citizenship
month. My idea was supported by
the Prince Piotr Galitzine, TMK
CEO, Outstanding Russian Ameri-
can of the Year, Chairman, the Con-
sulate of Russia in Houston, the St.
Vladimir Russian Orthodox Church
in Houston and many others.
Our event is a tribute to those distin-
guished Russian-American individ-
uals whose work has had a tremen-
dous positive effect, not only on the
United States’ economy, science, art,
and trade, but also on the Russian-
American community in Houston.
The honorees were chosen for being
outstanding Russian-American lead-
ers who have held distinguished ca-
reers in different fields and exemplify
a strong commitment to the Ameri-
can society, life, and dream. Our life
and the lives of all Americans have
been touched in some way by these
leaders’ work and accomplishments.
Sonia Tabarovsky
Kindness without Limits
Radio in Russian in Houston since 1993
A NEW LOOK. A NEW EXPERIENCE.
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