[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 177 (Thursday, November 20, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            TRIBUTE TO SAMUEL E. LANZA AND ELVA M. POUNDERS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. TIM RYAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, November 20, 2008

  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Mr. 
Samuel E. Lanza of Warren, Ohio and Ms. Elva M. Pounders of Akron, 
Ohio. In recognition of their honorable service to our nation and 
selfless dedication to their communities, Mr. Lanza and Ms. Pounders 
have been inducted into the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame as members of 
the Class of 2008.
  The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was founded in 1992 in an effort to 
honor and to raise awareness of the outstanding military service and 
post-military accomplishments of Ohio veterans. Each year, an executive 
committee reviews scores of applications received from across the 
Nation and recommends 20 inductees to the Governor. These inductees 
represent each branch of the military and have served in armed 
conflicts spanning from World War II to Operations Desert Storm and 
Desert Shield. Since its inception, the OVHOF has inducted nearly 900 
veterans who, like Mr. Lanza and Ms. Pounders, have demonstrated a 
lifelong devotion to country and to community.
  Mr. Samuel Lanza served in the United States Marine Corps in World 
War II and, after his discharge, continued his civil service by 
advocating and assisting his fellow veterans. He joined the Disabled 
American Veterans in 1948 and eventually served in every elected 
position at the DAV including State Commander. Mr. Lanza is a Life 
Member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign 
Wars, Marine Corps League, and the American Legion. Additionally, Mr. 
Lanza participates as a member of the National Association for 
Uniformed Services and the past President of the National Active and 
Retired Federal Employees Association. For more than 45 years, Mr. 
Lanza has taken an active role in Memorial Day parades and decorated 
the graves of deceased veterans. For more than 27 years, he has 
transported his fellow veterans to VA hospitals and other medical 
appointments. In 1997, Mr. Lanza was appointed to the Trumbull County 
Veterans Service Commission.
  Ms. Elva Pounders served in the United States Marine Corps during the 
Vietnam Era. Upon her retirement from the Corps after 20 years of 
active duty which she achieved Marine first sergeant rank, Elva made a 
commitment to assisting the veterans of her community. Concerned with 
veterans' healthcare, Ms. Pounders worked part-time at a pharmacy and 
delivered medicine and supplies to shut-in veterans. She volunteered in 
VA clinics and medical facilities in Akron and Brecksville, and in 
2006, the Brecksville VA Medical Center awarded Ms. Pounders the 500 
Hour Award. Ms. Pounders is a Life Member of the Marine Corps League, 
American Legion, North Coast WAVES 21, and the Retired Enlisted 
Association and the Fleet Reserve Association. She is the vice 
chairwoman of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and 
she has served as a committee member with Summit County Stand Down for 
Homeless Veterans.
  Ms. Pounders serves as the Vice Chairperson for the Ohio Department 
of Veterans Services Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. In 2007, in 
acknowledgement of her exceptional commitment to local veterans, the 
Summit County Veterans Service Commission recognized Ms. Pounders as 
``Summit County Veteran of the Year.''
  I would like to commend Mr. Lanza and Ms. Pounders for their 
extraordinary service and commitment, both in the military and in their 
communities.

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