[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 174 (Friday, November 9, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               HONORING MAJOR GENERAL RONALD H. MARKARIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, November 9, 2007

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor MG (California 
Retired) Ronald Markarian for his dedicated service to the veterans of 
Fresno, California.
  Major General Markarian was born and raised in the Fresno area and 
graduated from California State University, Fresno. While in college he 
joined the Army National Guard, where he served for 3 years with the 
Heavy Mortar Company of the 185th Infantry Regiment. He entered the Air 
Force upon graduating from college. While in the Air Force, Major 
General Markarian served in many positions, including a position at the 
Pentagon, as Chief of Air Reconnaissance Systems and as Director of the 
USAF Intelligence Reserve Forces. After 30 years of military service, 
he retired in August 1980 as a colonel.
  Immediately after retirement, Major General Markarian became a member 
of the California State Military Reserve and was assigned to the 
headquarters, State Military Reserve at the California Military 
Department in Sacramento, where he was eventually appointed Commanding 
General of the State Military Reserve. In July 1990, he was promoted to 
Major General. After nearly 46 years of uniformed military service, 
Major General Markarian retired in October 1995. His service to his 
community and the veterans did not stop upon his retirement.
  Major General Markarian has received many awards, including two 
Legion of Merit awards and the Bronze Star. He has received awards from 
many military organizations, including the Association of the U.S. 
Army's National Golden Eagle Award and National Distinguished Service 
Award, and he was the 2002 recipient of the organization's Anthony 
Drexel Biddle Award, President's Award. Major General Markarian has 
also graduated from several military schools and holds a master's 
degree in public administration from George Washington University.
  Major General Markarian is active in community affairs and has served 
in a variety of leadership roles in military, veteran and public 
service organizations. He served on several State and Federal boards 
and has been the Director of the United States Selective Service System 
in California since his appointment in 1987. He was instrumental in 
founding the Association of the United States Army, AUSA, Chapter 6105 
in 1982, and served as the first president of the chapter. He later 
served two additional terms. In total, he served 15 years as president. 
During his last presidency, the chapter was designated Best Chapter in 
AUSA for 7 consecutive years, from 2000 to 2006. He also served as the 
AUSA sixth region president and an AUSA national trustee.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today in honor of MG Ronald Markarian for his 
tireless service to the military and veteran community. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in wishing Major General Markarian many years of 
continued success.

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