[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 119 (Wednesday, September 21, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1909]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                          HONORING DONALD LADA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. DALE E. KILDEE

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2005

  Mr. KILDEE. Mr. Speaker, I am happy to rise before you today to 
recognize the accomplishments of a man who, for many years, has been a 
tireless advocate for our community, including our youth. On Thursday, 
September 22, in my hometown of Flint, Michigan, civic leaders, family 
and friends will join Youth Projects to honor Donald Lada for his 
dedicated service to the community.
  After graduating from Traverse City High School, Don Lada attended 
Northwestern Michigan College, and later continued his education at 
Worsham Mortuary College. Don has been a licensed funeral director for 
42 years, and spent 33 of those years at Brown Funeral Home, which he 
also owned, and remained active with after it was sold. The Memorial 
Tree and Plant-A-Tree programs at Brown are highlights of Don's tenure, 
as is a Veterans' Memorial and the designation of the Home as an 
official Korean War Commemorative Community.
  Don's community involvement is tremendous; over the years, he has 
been a part of, or helped lead, nearly 30 different civic 
organizations, including the Eastside Business Association, which he 
also founded, Genesee County Emergency Management Team, Mott Children's 
Health Center, Avalon Hospice, Flint Chamber of Commerce, Masons, Elks, 
and the Flint Rotary Club, among many others. He has been recognized on 
numerous occasions by groups such as the Salvation Army and the 
Consortium on Child Abuse and Neglect, and has received keys to the 
cities of Burton and Flint. In 2004, Don became the first recipient of 
the Flint Journal's Community Advocacy Award.
  Among Don's many blessings is his wonderful family: Dee, his wife of 
45 years, their children Douglas and Debra, and their eight 
grandchildren.
  Mr. Speaker, I have known Don Lada for many years, and have witnessed 
first-hand his selfless determination toward making the Flint area a 
safer place for our children to enjoy, and a better place in which to 
live. I am honored to call him my friend as well as my constituent. I 
ask my colleagues to please join me in congratulating Don on being 
acknowledged by his peers, and wishing him the very best in all his 
endeavors. Our community is clearly a better place because of his 
dedication.

                          ____________________