[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 114 (Tuesday, September 13, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1822-E1823]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING LEROY E. LYON, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. JOHN T. DOOLITTLE

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Tuesday, September 13, 2005

  Mr. DOOLITTLE. Mr. Speaker, today I wish to remember and honor an 
outstanding citizen, Mr. LeRoy E. Lyon, Jr., from Granite Bay, 
California. Following a lifetime of dedication to God, family, and 
community, he died of a heart attack in his home Sunday, July 17, 2005. 
He was 84 years old.
  LeRoy was born on Dec. 4, 1920, in Anaheim, California. His father, 
LeRoy, Sr., was a respected orange grower who served on the Orange 
County Board of Supervisors. This heritage led him to a career in 
public service as well.

[[Page E1823]]

  In 1942, he earned a bachelor's degree in geology at the University 
of Southern California, USC. He then went to work for the U.S. 
Geological Survey in Washington, DC, where he met the love of his life, 
the former Martha Seymour. In April 1944, they were married, beginning 
a journey together that lasted 61 years.
  A month after their wedding, LeRoy joined the U.S. Navy as an 
officer. He served as an intelligence specialist in the Pacific during 
the final months of World War II. In early 1946, he was reassigned to 
Key West, and after his discharge, he returned to USC to study law. He 
received his juris doctorate degree in 1949. After passing the State 
Bar of California exam on his first try, he became a general 
practitioner in Santa Ana.
  Mr. Speaker, after the Korean War began, LeRoy was recalled to active 
duty in 1951. In Korea, he served with Vice Admiral C. Turner Joy's 
staff for the initial truce talks. Interestingly, he was still on 
active duty as a Navy lieutenant at Miramar Naval Air Station in the 
San Diego area when he was elected to the California State Assembly in 
1952. In the legislature, he championed right-to-work laws, believing 
it to be the way to increase dignity and empowerment for individual 
workers.
  Following his brief tenure as a legislator, he applied his legal 
mind, legislative know-how, and professional contacts to advocate on 
behalf of the California Railroad Association. He represented the 
organization both in Washington and Sacramento, also serving as general 
counsel. After 20 years, he became a lobbyist representing several 
clients with the firm of A.E. Davis & Co. until his retirement in 1990.
  Surpassing his contributions to his country through military and 
political service, LeRoy was known as a humble, caring father and 
husband. He upheld the tenants of his Christian faith with honor. In 
short, my friend LeRoy was a good man.
  He is survived by his wife, Martha ``Marty'' Lyon of Granite Bay; 
daughters Sylvia Foster of Hillsboro, Ore., Janet White of Colfax and 
Rebekah Lawson of Forest Hill; a brother, the Rev. W. DeWitt Lyon of 
Fullerton; 11 grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. He was 
preceded in death by a son, Ted Lyon, in 2003.
  Today, I join with LeRoy E. Lyon Jr.'s family, friends, and community 
to commemorate his life of committed service, good citizenship, and 
uncommon decency. May he rest in peace.

                          ____________________