Mr. SCHIFF. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor longtime Glendale community leader and activist Larry Zarian on the occasion of his receiving the Verdugo Hills Council, Boy Scouts of America 2003 Glendale Distinguished Citizen of the Year award. Larry has been actively involved with the Boy Scouts for many years, having served on the executive board of the Verdugo Hills Council, Boy Scouts of America for seventeen years.
Larry has been a vibrant part of the fabric of Glendale since he began residing there in 1953. Most notably, Larry served for sixteen years on the Glendale City Council and as mayor of Glendale for four terms. He is responsible for many accomplishments during his tenure on the Glendale City Council. He organized groups to raise funds for the Veteran's Memorial monument; worked to maintain Glendale hillsides; and was a supporter for code enforcement, enabling the city to identify landlords who maintained substandard conditions.
His activism and leadership was apparent when he was appointed to serve on a city commission at the age of 20. Subsequently, Larry was appointed by various local, state and national leaders to serve on other commissions. He served as chairman on the state Water & Power Commission & Planning Commission. Governor George Deukemejian and later Governor Pete Wilson appointed Larry to serve on the regional Water Quality Control Board. President Reagan appointed him to the National Highway Safety Commission.
As a member of the Glendale Junior Chamber of Commerce, Larry mentored young entrepreneurs about civic responsibility, community involvement and leadership. His dedication and service to the community placed him on numerous boards such as the Glendale Adventist Medical governing board where he helped raise funds for the MRI Center. As a board member of the Foundation for Glendale's Association for the Retarded, Larry was instrumental in securing the organization's first home in Glendale. Currently Larry is a member of the board of directors for Glendale Symphony. As an active and proud member of the Kiwanis, Larry annually helps with the Special Olympics and Jazz Day where he dons an apron to serve sandwiches.
Larry has been recognized for his selfless contribution to his community as recipient of Verdugo Hills Council Good Turn Award; Citizen of the Year from the Glendale Chamber of Commerce; and Philanthropist of the Year from Glendale Adventist Medical Center. For many years, Larry has aptly been voted as one of the top 103 most influential people in the City of Glendale.
It is my pleasure to recognize Larry Zarian. I ask that all members of the United States House of Representatives join me in congratulating Larry for all his years of selfless service and dedication to the Boys Scouts of America and to the Glendale community at large.