[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 130 (Tuesday, October 2, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1756-E1757]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       TRIBUTE TO MRS. ANNA VAYDA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JAMES R. LANGEVIN

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, October 2, 2001

  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay my respects to a great 
woman who passed away last month. Mrs. Anna Vayda was 91 years old and 
a vibrant woman all her life. She was instrumental in the chartering of 
the American Veterans and American Veterans Auxiliary. In 1946, she 
came to Washington, D.C. to lobby Congress on providing a national 
charter for the organization. Through her many trips and tireless 
efforts, she met the likes of former Speakers John McCormac, Frances 
Roberts and Tip O'Neill. In addition to lobbying for the national 
charter, she played a central role in gaining women veterans full 
membership in the American Veterans and not just the Auxiliary.
  Mrs. Vayda is survived by a son, Joseph Vayda; her brother, Walter 
Zupkofska; nine grandchildren, including my good friend Eva Geoppo; 
twenty great-grandchildren; and five great-great-grandchildren. They 
are a testament to Mrs. Vayda's long and successful life. She will be 
greatly missed and our thoughts and prayers go out to all those who 
mourn her loss.

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