[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 44 (Friday, March 14, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E425]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO CHARLES C. LANHAN

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO

                            of west virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Friday, March 14, 2008

  Mrs. CAPITO. Madam Speaker, I rise to honor the career and 
accomplishments of Charles C. Lanham of Point Pleasant, West Virginia.
  For the past 50 years, he has been a leader of various civic and 
professional organizations addressing the needs of his community and 
small town banks. A graduate of Marshall University and former member 
of the Army National Guard, Charles began his banking career in Ripley, 
WV and later took a job as Vice President of Citizens National Bank in 
nearby Point Pleasant in 1963. He spent the next 40 years as a leader 
in local community banks and recently retired from his current post as 
Director Emeritus of the Ohio Valley Banc Corps.
  Despite his prominent banking career, he is revered most for his 
public service. He has successfully brought results through his 
leadership and involvement with countless community organizations that 
address the needs of Mason County. His greatest contribution; however, 
is his work to bring attention to improving Route 35.
  Charles and two of his colleagues, David Hofsetter and Jack Fruth 
formed the Route 35 Committee to address the dangerous stretch of 
highway in Mason and Putnam Counties in 1996. For the next ten years, 
Charles spent countless hours traveling from his home in Point Pleasant 
to our state capitol and the halls of Congress to advocate funding for 
this project.
  His hard work finally paid off in 2003 when funding was first 
appropriated to begin the upgrade. The link of highway he so tirelessly 
worked to improve was named in his honor as the Fruth-Lanham Highway. 
In 2005, Charles answered another call to public service when he was 
named Senator of 4th Senatorial District where he could work to further 
his mission for Route 35.
  Charles represents the true calling of public service. It is an honor 
to work with such a distinguished citizen who has contributed so much 
to our great state. I'm proud to call Charles Lanham a friend and a 
fellow West Virginian. I wish him all best in his retirement.

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