[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 6]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 7906]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                  HONORING SENATOR CHARLES POOCHIGIAN

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DEVIN NUNES

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 31, 2003

  Mr. NUNES. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of an 
extraordinary Californian, whom I have the privilege of Representing in 
Congress, California State Senator Charles S. Poochigian. I am proud to 
have the opportunity to spend a few minutes of my time in the House to 
share with the people of the United States how wonderful Chuck is and 
what a great asset he is to the people he serves.
  Chuck Poochigian is an outstanding public servant but more 
importantly, he is a wonderful husband, father and member of his 
community. Anywhere you go in Chuck's hometown, you will find adoring 
friends, supporters and, of course, the many members of his extended 
family. He and his wife, Debbie, have worked to achieve a balanced life 
of faith, family and community service and are blessed with three 
outstanding children, Mark, Kirk and Laura.
  Chuck has been a member of the California State Senate for four years 
and had previously served in the California State Assembly. In 
addition, he spent time in the Administrations of two California 
Governors. However, the more important measure of his outstanding 
service can be found in his commitment to the people he represents and 
to his proud heritage as an Armenian American.
  Chuck has managed to achieve the meritorious recognition of many 
prominent organizations, ranging from the California State Sheriff's 
Association to the California State Student's Association. Throughout 
his career in public service, Chuck Poochigian has tempered his 
political ambition with a strong belief in family, faith and an 
understanding of the founding principles of our democracy. 
Demonstrating the high esteem to which he is held, The California 
Journal commended Chuck for his integrity, intelligence and problem 
solving abilities rating him as ``Rookie of the Year'' during his 
freshman term in office. Mr. Speaker, these accolades could not have 
been bestowed on a more worthy public servant.
  It is also fitting at this time to express how important Chuck has 
been to the cause of advocating the special concerns of the Armenian 
Community in the California Legislature and I wish to publicly commend 
him on his pending receipt of the Armenian National Committee of 
Central California's Man of the Year Award, which is to be presented on 
April 12th in Fresno, California.

                          ____________________