[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 95 (Thursday, July 16, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1322]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            CELEBRATING THE 70TH BIRTHDAY OF LENA C. PRETSCH

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                           HON. J.D. HAYWORTH

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 16, 1998

  Mr. HAYWORTH. Mr. Speaker, on July 27, 1998, Lena C. Pretsch, a 
constituent of mine from Payson, Arizona, will be celebrating her 
seventieth birthday with her family and friends. Lena is dedicated to 
serving her family, her community, and her country.
  Lena grew up in Bloominglen, Pennsylvania where she met her husband, 
Joe, when he returned from World War II. She left Pennsylvania behind 
and joined her husband traveling around the world with the Army for 
twenty years. During those years, she also raised two sons, Roger and 
Richard, and a daughter, Kathy.
  While patriotism runs in the family, Roger has stated that few 
Americans embrace their patriotic duties as passionately as his mother 
did in times of need. During World War II as a teenager, Lena 
volunteered to read to blind soldiers recovering from wounds received 
in battle. Her voice soothed and comforted many young men in their time 
of need. Many years later, as she saw her own son off to the Persian 
Gulf during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, she helped send 
15,000 Christmas cards to the paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne 
Division. Her son and the soldiers will never forget the Christmas 
cards they received in the desert.
  Every Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and Fourth of July, Lena organizes 
a volunteer group that places 500 to 600 flags around the town of 
Payson. She also had a giant flag pole built along Highway 87 so 
visitors coming into town would see the American flag. She even 
convinced Governor Symington to declare Payson the Flag Capital of 
Arizona because of the group's efforts.
  Along with her flag activities, Lena chairs the Governor's committee 
for the Americans with Disabilities Act. She helps plan events 
throughout the state to increase awareness of the contributions 
disabled people make to our society. She also remains active with the 
city council and her church.
  As an ordinary citizen, Lena may not have made headlines with her 
contributions, but she has made an impact on the lives around her. 
Congratulations on your seventieth birthday, Lena. And thank you for 
your service.

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