[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 92 (Thursday, June 20, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1120-E1121]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           HONORING SAM LENA

                                 ______


                             HON. ED PASTOR

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 19, 1996

  Mr. PASTOR. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to pay tribute to Sam Lena, a 
beloved public servant of southern Arizona who passed away on March 12, 
1996. He will be greatly missed.
  Sam Lena was born January 23, 1921, in Evergreen, LA. At the age of 
20, he moved to Tucson for health reasons. For the ensuring 55 years, 
Sam was a distinguished member of the Tucson and the southern Arizona 
community. He was an outstanding softball player, and was well-known 
for being a strike-out ace. In one game as the pitcher for the Tucson 
Elks, he struck out 21 batters in eight innings. Sam was also a 
respected businessman and dedicated public servant.
  His athletic skills and business talents gained him widespread 
recognition and respect throughout the community. This popularity 
encouraged him to move into a more formal leadership role. In 1965, he 
was appointed to the Arizona House of Representatives where he served 
two elected terms. In 1968 he was elected to the State senate where he 
served three terms and became a powerful force in southern Arizona 
politics.
  From playing softball as a pitching strike-out ace to his 
extraordinary effectiveness as a public servant, Sam Lena infused his 
life with commitment and caring. He worked tirelessly for those groups 
and issues that were dear to him: Law enforcement, education, health 
care, social services, and the mentally retarded. Each of these areas 
benefited throughout Sam's tenure in the Arizona State Legislature, the 
Arizona State Senate, the Pima Country Board of Supervisors, and as the 
special assistant to Arizona Governor Rose Mofford while he directed 
her southern Arizona office.
  Sam made government personal. To quote his friend and protege of many 
years, Pima County Supervisor Dan Eckstrom:

       Sam truly loved the many constituents that he served, from 
     the youngest child to the oldest senior citizen. To him all 
     people were the same. Yet, it was his special love for the 
     indigent and disadvantaged that made him such the great 
     community servant that he was. ``Mr. Sam,'' as he was 
     affectionately called by many, really enjoyed being out with 
     his people, whether it was at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 
     Lena's Liquors, the District 10 Democratic Club meetings, 
     at Safeway, or just on the street, Sam was very 
     approachable, willing to listen and always ready to help. 
     He knew practically everyone in his district and everyone 
     who knew him, knew him first as a friend.

  Sam Lena worked diligently to ensure that society's resources were 
available to all. But more importantly, he spoke for those who are 
often unable to speak for themselves: The poor, the disadvantaged, the 
downtrodden. In many areas of health care, services to the poor, 
recreation facilities, education, and services for the mentally 
retarded, Sam Lena's peace making ability and genius as a consensus 
builder made new and better programs possible.
  In addition to his official duties as an elected and appointed public 
servant, Sam Lena was an activist for the community. Through his 
personal efforts on behalf of Kino Hospital, this

[[Page E1121]]

critically needed community facility has been kept open. As a member of 
the Pima County Sports Authority, Sam was instrumental in promoting 
sporting activities, especially spring training baseball and the 
building of a new southside baseball stadium.
  Kino Hospital and the new baseball stadium are a small part of the 
legacy Sam Lena leaves this community. The greater part of his legacy 
is the people he helped and encouraged. ``Mr. Sam'' was a friend, a 
teacher, a counselor, a mentor. Many community leaders were first 
befriended and encouraged by Sam Lena. The spirit of community that he 
engendered continues to grow through those he has mentored.
  Sam was always available to counsel and to talk with those who needed 
a caring friend. We are fortunate that this man of good morale 
character, simple tastes, and mild manner offered his guidance to so 
many others. Many were encouraged by his example to emulate these 
positive characteristics.
  To Sam Lena's many friends, to his beloved wife, Tina, to his 
children, Sam, Jr., Katherine, and Johnny, and his step-children, 
Christine and David, to his grandchildren, Jennifer, Julieanne, 
Catherine, Benjamin, Matthew and Sara, to his sisters, Lily and 
Virginia, and his brothers Buddy and Babe, I extend my sincere 
appreciation for their willingness to share this great man with so many 
others. His life is a model for all to follow. I thank Sam Lena for 
being my friend and for making his city, his county, his State, and his 
country better for all of us.

                          ____________________