[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 75 (Wednesday, June 4, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1110]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                       TRIBUTE TO ARTHUR SOHIKIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JULIAN C. DIXON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 4, 1997

  Mr. DIXON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to extend my congratulations and 
best wishes to Arthur Sohikian, assistant director for government 
relations for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation 
Authority, as he prepares to leave his position to enter the private 
sector. Many of my colleagues in the House and Senate have had the 
opportunity to work with Arthur, and know of his intelligence, 
commitment, and effectiveness.
  Arthur has contributed over 10 years of public service to the 
citizens of Los Angeles County. After working for California Assembly 
Speaker pro tempore Mike Roos from 1987 through 1991 in both Los 
Angeles and Sacramento, he began his career in transportation policy 
with the Southern California Rapid Transit District in Los Angeles. 
Since 1993, he has been the primary Los Angeles County MTA contact with 
the administration and Congress, developing legislative strategies and 
overseeing one of the most ambitious transportation policy and funding 
programs in the country.
  It has been a pleasure to work with Arthur over the past 4 years as 
he has used his talent, energy, and persistence in advocating for the 
LACMTA and the residents of Los Angeles County. His knowledge of 
transportation policy, the political intricacies of transportation 
decisionmaking, and his commitment in pursuing short-term and long-
range legislative objectives in Washington have served the MTA very 
well. Even in the most difficult circumstances, he has sought to keep 
Washington informed with an attention to detail and candor that is 
deeply appreciated. I have no doubt that the qualities that have served 
Arthur and the MTA so well, will lead to great success.
  As he begins this next stage of his professional life, I want to 
extend my warmest wishes to Arthur, his wife Annee, and his daughter 
Audrey, as well as my congratulations on last week's birth of their 
son, Andrew Charles. In recognition of his service to Los Angeles 
County, I ask my colleagues to join me in commending him for his role 
in moving the region's transportation priorities forward and wishing 
him the best in his future endeavors.




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