Congratulating Ms. Maryam Azarion on Her Retirement After More Than 25 Years of Federal Service

Floor Speech

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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.

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