[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 79 (Monday, May 24, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING JUSTICE STEVEN VARTABEDIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. GEORGE RADANOVICH

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, May 24, 2010

  Mr. RADANOVICH. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Justice 
Steven Vartabedian upon his retirement from the California Fifth 
District Court of Appeal. After serving for twenty-nine years as a 
judge, Justice Vartabedian will officially retire on May 31, 2010.
  Justice Steven Vartabedian is a native of the San Joaquin Valley. He 
attended, and graduated with honors, from California State University, 
Fresno in 1972. Upon graduation he studied at Santa Clara University, 
School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude in 1975. He passed 
both the state and federal bar in 1975. Early in his career, Justice 
Vartabedian returned to the Valley to practice family law and real 
estate litigation with, now former State Senator, and current justice 
on the Fifth District Court, Charles Poochigian.
  Justice Vartabedian began serving on the Sanger Justice Court in 1981 
and moved to the Fresno Municipal Court in 1983, where he served for 
four years, two of which he was a presiding judge. He joined the Fresno 
County Superior Court in 1987, serving as presiding criminal judge. In 
September 1989, Justice Vartabedian was appointed as an associate 
justice of the Court of Appeal by Governor George Deukmejian. While 
serving on the state judiciary, he participated on the planning 
committee of the Appellate Justice Institute and on a committee 
studying weighted caseloads. Justice Vartabedian's most recent 
participation was with the Appellate Court Legacy Project Committee. He 
has authored articles on the topics of sentencing, court delays and sex 
abuse cases, all of which have been published in the Pacific Law 
Journal and the Judges' Journal.
  While busy with his practice and serving with the various courts, 
Justice Vartabedian found time to teach. He taught business law at 
California State University, Fresno from 1976 to 1981. In 1992 he was a 
symposium speaker and panelist at the University of the Pacific, 
McGeorge School of Law, for the ``Victims Rights in California'' 
program. In 1995, Justice Vartabedian moderated a state bar program 
entitled ``To Appeal or Not to Appeal,'' and has lectured on the 
subject of the appellate process to county bar associations and 
community groups on numerous occasions.
  Justice Vartabedian and his wife, Marilyn, have three adult 
daughters, all engaged in careers in law. The family is active in 
symphonic activities, as his daughters are all musicians. He has served 
in the community as a past founding member of the local board of 
directors of World Impact, an organization that focuses on inner-city 
youth ministry. He is a former trustee of the Armenian Community School 
of Fresno and is an elder and bass soloist in his church. For his 
service, Justice Vartabedian received Sanger Unified School District's 
Outstanding Contribution to Education Award in 1982 and the Armenian 
Community School Outstanding Service Award in 2004.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today to commend and congratulate Justice 
Steven Vartabedian upon his retirement from the Fifth District Court of 
Appeal. I invite my colleagues to join me in wishing Justice 
Vartabedian many years of continued success.

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