[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 13, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E180-E181]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING SY LENZ, OF SONOMA, CALIFORNIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 13, 2008

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Madam Speaker, I rise, along with 
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey, to recognize the gentleman honored by the 
City of Sonoma as 2008 Alcalde--Honorary Mayor of the Year--Sy Lenz. 
The honorary position of Alcalde has been bestowed each year since 1975 
on a person who has enhanced the welfare of Sonoma by his or her 
unselfish contributions to the community.
  As Alcalde, Sy will be given a silver-headed cane as a symbol of his 
distinction and will appear in parades, grand openings and other 
special events throughout the year.
  Although Sy and his wife, Harriet, have lived in Sonoma since 1989, 
when they moved here to be near their daughter, Sy leapt directly into 
community service. He used his talents as a retired U.S. Air Force Lt. 
Colonel and executive recruiter to volunteer on the strategic plan for 
the local school district. He also became active in the Kiwanis Club 
and with La Luz Center, a local nonprofit serving immigrants, as well 
as founding and developing Congregation Shir Shalom.
  ``One project I worked on was an attempt to establish an in-town teen 
club,'' Sy says. ``We raised thousands of dollars hopefully to find a 
site, and although it remained out of our reach, it lead to the 
creation of the `No-Name Cafe' at Sonoma Valley High School.''
  Sy's service is not limited to the younger generation. He has 
participated in delivering

[[Page E181]]

holiday meals to seniors and shut-ins, and was part of the effort to 
create the Senior Shade Program which provides senior citizens 
transportation to and from the town's holiday parades and a shady place 
from which to watch.
  Most recently, Sy has served as president of the board of directors 
of SOS--Sonoma Overnight Shelter--which he and other members of the 
community started in an effort to extend a helping hand to the homeless 
and working poor who need assistance with restoring their self-
sufficiency. It is a project he has dedicated himself to.
  First of all, Sy points out, it is a shelter; it is designed for 
those who are temporarily homeless. ``Most of the time the people we're 
dealing with are women or single moms,'' says Sy. These are usually 
women who have been dependent upon a man and suddenly find themselves 
alone or alone with children and without life skills needed for 
independent living. They may stay with family or friends for awhile 
until that becomes untenable and then they are out on the streets.
  ``And this,'' Sy says, referring to the astronomical Bay Area real 
estate prices. ``is a tough place to find an affordable space.''
  His compassionate service is one reason Sonoma Mayor Joanne Sanders 
chose Sy for Alcalde. She has known Sy for 20 years and says, ``When 
it's driving rain, late at night, and the phone rings, he's the kind of 
guy who'll go out and find a place for someone to stay. He's an unsung 
hero.''
  Madam Speaker, we would like to join with the City of Sonoma in 
recognizing the contributions Sy Lenz has made to the lives of the 
residents of the Sonoma Valley area.

                          ____________________