[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 170 (Tuesday, December 3, 2013)] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page E1776] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] HONORING ARIS MELISSARATOS ______ HON. C.A. DUTCH RUPPERSBERGER of maryland in the house of representatives Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Mr. RUPPERSBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise before you today to honor Aris Melissaratos, a visionary businessman, champion of the State of Maryland and dear friend, on the occasion of his 70th birthday. The son of Romanian immigrants, Mr. Melissaratos arrived in the United States at age 13, speaking virtually no English. He earned his degree in electrical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in 1966 and began a 40-year business career, mostly at Westinghouse Electronics Corporation. There, he held numerous positions, retiring as Chief Technology Officer and Vice President for Science and Technology. Before that, he was Chief Operations Officer for the company's Defense Electronics Group, responsible for $3.2 billion dollars in sales. He also founded Armel Scientifics, LLC, which invested in more than 30 startup companies in advanced technology. His professional experience proved invaluable as Secretary of Business and Economic Development for the State of Maryland, a position he held from 2003 until 2007. As Secretary, Mr. Melissaratos worked tirelessly to strengthen our state economy and promote Maryland as a prime location for tourism, film production and advancement of the arts. Mr. Melissaratos has since come full circle, returning to Johns Hopkins as a senior advisor to its president. There, he works to build the university's relationship with area businesses. Under his leadership, the university has helped launch 51 new companies in four years. While too numerous to list in their entirety, Mr. Melissaratos is the recipient of countless accolades. In 2009, he was named the William Donald Schaefer Industrialist of the Year and was Corridor Inc.'s Person of the Year in 2012. A longtime member of the Whiting School of Engineering's National Advisory Council, Mr. Melissaratos is a founding co-chair of the Greater Baltimore Technology Council and former Vice President of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. He somehow found time to also co-author a book that chronicles the history of innovation. I have had the pleasure of knowing Aris Melissaratos for many years. I admire him for his fearless entrepreneurship, generosity, work ethic and community spirit. Mr. Speaker, I ask that you join with me today to honor Aris Melissaratos. The citizens of Maryland have been lucky to have him as a relentless advocate all these years. It is with great pride that I wish him the happiest of birthdays and many more years of success. ____________________