Penza, 10 March 2016. PenzaNews. The Russian President Vladimir Putin has rewarded Alexander Samokutyaev, head of the cosmonaut team of the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center, who was born in Penza, the Order for Services to the Fatherland IV degree during the official presentation of state decorations held at the Kremlin’s Catherine Hall on Thursday, March 10.

Photo: Kremlin.ru

During the event, the President presented Russian state decorations to scientists, civil and religious activists, workers, teachers, stage artists and journalists.

“Your achievements, friends, have been and will remain significant for Russia and its people, helping to resolve pressing matters of the country’s social and economic development,” Vladimir Putin told them.

He is greatly honored to be presenting state decorations to such distinguished people, he noted.

“In every area that you represent – aircraft construction, shipbuilding, medicine, art, space – we have a lot to demonstrate to the country and the world, we have some great up-to-date achievements. However, we also have many unresolved issues – quite a few of them. We should not rest on our laurels, absolutely not. Although, the more often you and other outstanding Russians like you come to this hall, the sooner we will resolve all the issues facing us. Thank you for your work,” the Kremlin press service quotes Vladimir Putin.