[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 158 (Friday, September 26, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E897]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




CONGRATULATING MS. MARYAM AZARION ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER MORE THAN 25 
                        YEARS OF FEDERAL SERVICE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JAMIE RASKIN

                              of maryland

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2025

  Mr. RASKIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a dedicated public 
servant. Ms. Maryam Azarion has given over 26 years of her career to 
serving our Nation's veterans and advancing scientific innovation 
across the federal government.
  Maryam began her career as a microbiologist and inventor before 
finding her way to the law and federal service. She has dedicated her 
professional life to making government a force for good, one that 
drives progress and innovation and provides exceptional care to our 
Nation's veterans.
  For nearly 20 years at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), 
Maryam brought her expertise in science and the law to the VA's senior 
leadership. As a Staff Attorney for the VA's Office of General Counsel, 
Maryam was in charge of giving legal advice about research agreements, 
intellectual property licensing and smart phone application 
submissions.
  After her first five years at the VA, Maryam saw an emerging need to 
create a legal team devoted to health research and innovation. Maryam 
was entrusted with the responsibility of nurturing the VA's first 
Specialty Team Advising Research (STAR), which she led with distinction 
from 2012 until her retirement this year. Her leadership at STAR has 
improved the quality of life for our Nation's veterans, spurred health 
care business development and encouraged innovation across our 
government.
  Medical innovations are only lifesaving and life-changing if new 
technology and treatments can reach hospitals and clinics and if the 
veterans who need care can afford them. Maryam's vision and expertise 
helped facilitate the transfer of technologies developed within federal 
agencies to public, private and nonprofit partners.
  Maryam developed her expertise in technology transfer after beginning 
her career as a microbiologist and researcher at the U.S. Army Medical 
Research Institute of Infectious Diseases. Discovering a passion for 
technology transfer and a talent for the intersection of science and 
the law, she lent her expertise to the U.S. Army Medical Research and 
Materiel Command and the Naval Research Laboratory.
  A Marylander to her bones, Maryam prepared for this remarkable career 
at the Free State's world class colleges and universities. She's earned 
degrees at the University of Maryland-College Park, Hood College, and 
the University of Baltimore School of Law. On behalf of a grateful 
Nation and the residents of Maryland's beautiful 8th District, I wish 
Maryam Azarion nothing but the best as she begins a new chapter in her 
life after her decades of federal service.

                          ____________________