[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 101 (Thursday, June 12, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E568-E569]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          HONORING STAFF MEMBER MARIA MARTIROSYAN ISSAKHANIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. ILHAN OMAR

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 12, 2025

  Ms. OMAR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Maria Martirosyan 
Issakhanian, a dedicated member of my team for the last five years. 
Since November 2019, Maria has loyally served the constituents of 
Minnesota's 5th Congressional District.
  Maria arrived in the United States at the age of six, growing up in 
the Little Armenia neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. After 
graduating from Bravo Medical Magnet High School, Maria went on to the 
University of California, Berkeley where she was a double major in 
Political Science and Slavic, East European, and Eurasian studies. 
Maria's background in politics and passion for public service inspired 
her to come to Capitol Hill, where she flourished as a U.S. House of 
Representatives intern on the prestigious Ways and Means Committee, a 
staffer at the office of Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), and later, a 
staffer at my office.

[[Page E569]]

  During her time in my office, Maria proved to be a committed, 
thoughtful, and sharp member of the legislative team. With an extensive 
legislative background, strategic acumen, and a deep understanding of 
congressional politics, Maria introduced over 20 bills, successfully 
shepherding four of them into law, including the MEALS Act and two 
through the Education and Labor Committee. Her impact extends beyond 
legislative wins as she has effectively coordinated efforts to drive 
the national conversation on issues like universal school meals, 
student debt cancellation, and climate justice.
  But Maria's skills and fervor go beyond her legislative work. In the 
past five years, Maria dedicated her free time to volunteering with 
community organizations to help young adults as they navigated their 
careers in Washington. Proud of her Armenian heritage, she serves as 
the President of the Congressional Armenian Staff Association, sharing 
her knowledge of Capitol Hill and professional development with the 
next generation of the Hill and uplifting her community every step of 
the way.
  She always goes above and beyond to help people grow in our office as 
well. She would set aside one day every semester to train our interns 
on professional development, networking, and the importance of finding 
their vocation as they continue their journey beyond our internship 
program. Maria greatly cares for everyone in our office and has no 
problem going the extra mile in times of need.
  Overall, Maria proved to be a reliable member of the team as she 
extended her hand to help others, warmly greeted new colleagues to help 
them feel welcome, and played an integral role in brightening our 
office with her generous puns and laughter.
  On behalf of Minnesota's 5th Congressional District, I ask my 
colleagues to join me in honoring and thanking Maria for her service. 
Her contributions to my office and the constituents of the 5th District 
will forever be remembered and cherished. It was an honor to get to 
work alongside her to advance a more just world. Maria was an 
invaluable member of my team and will be missed in the office each day. 
I wish her all the best in her future endeavors as she takes her 
talents and skills to the Senate.

                          ____________________