[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22881]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   HONORING MAJOR GENERAL RITA ARAGON

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MARY FALLIN

                              of oklahoma

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 26, 2008

  Ms. FALLIN. Madam Speaker, today I rise to commend and congratulate 
retired Major General Rita Aragon, who has been named Woman of the Year 
by the Journal Record business newspaper in Oklahoma City.
  Rita Aragon's story is an inspiration to all women. As a single 
mother working as a public school teacher, she joined the Oklahoma Air 
National Guard more than 30 years ago. In 1989 she became the first 
unit commander in the Guard, and by 2003 she had risen to the rank of 
Brigadier General. As a Major General she served on active duty as 
assistant to the commander of air education and training and later as 
assistant to the chief of Staff Manpower and Personnel in the Pentagon. 
Since her retirement she has returned to education as director of 
advance programs at the College of Continuing Education at the 
University of Oklahoma.
  Throughout her career, Rita Aragon has given her time and talent to 
many community organizations and served on the boards of many of those 
groups. During Oklahoma's response to the 1995 federal building bombing 
in Oklahoma City she helped lead the military contingent at ground 
zero. I am honored to recognize Rita Aragon's life of service to her 
nation, state and city.

                          ____________________