[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 170 (Tuesday, October 31, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2075]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             HONORING AMERICAN LEGION TONY F. SOZA POST 41

                                 ______


                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 31, 1995

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to salute the American Legion 
Tony F. Soza Post 41 in Phoenix, AZ, on the occasion of its 50th 
anniversary and its history of service to the community. Since its 
original pledge at the inception of Post 41, originally named 
Thunderbird Post 41, to serve the disabled, the distressed, the 
widowed, and the orphaned, it has dutifully served those groups and far 
exceeded its mission. Post 41 has gone on to fund services and 
charities and provide a home for many organizations. It also has helped 
organize projects for the betterment of the Phoenix community.
  In October 1945, Post 41 was organized with a membership of only 16 
dedicated veterans. Largely, the founding group was of Hispanic descent 
due to geographical and cultural circumstances. By November of that 
year, it received its charter. The post's first Commander, Ray 
Martinez, soon asked some prominent citizens to serve as an advisory 
committee and began lobbying for the property to build the post's home. 
Soon, construction of the post was finished and, with patriotism and 
dedication in their hearts and souls, the group moved on to other 
goals.
  They saw a great need for a baby clinic and in 1948, they set out to 
build one. It was the first baby clinic in the community. Post 41 also 
made commitments to children and youth programs like high school 
Oratorical competitions, baseball, Boys State, scholarship and school 
awards, Scouting, flag education, emergency assistance, and community 
service. They made holiday baskets for needy families and took on a 
city bond campaign to fund parks and recreation programs to help combat 
juvenile delinquency.
  And the post continued to grow. In 1957, it constructed the Rhonda 
Room, exclusively for members, which quickly became a popular gathering 
place for veterans and their families and friends. In 1961, it 
dedicated the Frank Fuentes Hall, a spacious hall with a separate bar 
and stage. The post also became a local meeting place for other 
organizations such as the Unit 41 Women's Auxiliary, the Airborne 
Luciano Maldonado Chapter, the American GI Forum, and the Vietnam 
Veterans organization.
  In 1990, the post built a new kitchen, dining room, and auxiliary 
quarters and since then, remodeling and new additions have enhanced the 
building and its services to its membership of more than 1,000 
veterans.
  Throughout its history, Post 41 has undertaken huge and numerous 
tasks and accomplished them proudly. The organization has earned 
prestige and honor over the decades and earned an unparalleled 
reputation in the annals of American Legion history throughout the 
State of Arizona. Although most of its founding fathers have gone the 
way of old soldiers, they have left behind a strong inspiration that 
proudly drives the current members in their ongoing mission to serve 
their community.
  I am proud of the accomplishments of the American Legion Tony F. Soza 
Post 41 and for these reasons I hope that my colleagues join me today 
in wishing the post the very best in its continued service to veterans 
and the community.

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