[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 162 (Tuesday, November 3, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2696]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  HONORING WALTER M. LAWSON, JR., OHIO VETERANS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM JORDAN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, November 3, 2009

  Mr. JORDAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame 
will hold a ceremony in Columbus this week to mark the induction of its 
2009 class. I am honored to commend to the House one of these 
inductees: the late Walter M. Lawson, Jr., of Lima.
  A graduate of North High School in Columbus, Mr. Lawson earned his 
undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University in 1941. Following 
his distinguished service in the Second World War, he returned to his 
alma mater, completing his juris doctorate work in 1948. He later 
served in the Korean Conflict, achieving the rank of captain.
  Aside from his time in Korea, Mr. Lawson served the Lima community in 
private legal practice from 1948 to his death in 2006. Additionally, he 
was Lima's law director for four years, preceded by seven years as 
assistant law director. From 1974 until his death, he also served the 
Village of Elida as its solicitor. He was president of the Ohio State 
Bar Association and the Allen County Bar Association, and was admitted 
to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States.
  Mr. Lawson's devotion to community service provides us with an 
outstanding model of civic participation. A past president of the local 
Jaycees and past chairman of the Lima-Allen County Regional Planning 
Commission, he was a charter member and longtime leader in Ohio 
Optimist International, which honored him with inclusion in its hall of 
fame and also with the 2007 Humanitarian Award. His devotion to the 
youth of Lima and Allen County was well known from his service to the 
Lima Area Youth Orchestra, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Junior 
Achievement Board. He held numerous offices at Lima's Market Street 
Presbyterian Church, where he was a member for more than a half 
century.
  Mr. Lawson was a life member of the Allen County chapter of the 
Disabled American Veterans, Post 96 of the American Legion, Post 1275 
of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Lima AMVETS chapter, and the 
Korean War Veterans Association. Additionally, he served as president 
of the Allen County Veterans Service Commission.
  Madam Speaker, selection for the Hall of Fame is a high honor 
accorded to only 20 Ohioans each year. To be considered for induction, 
individuals must not only serve the nation honorably in the military, 
but also reflect the high value of service to others in their post-
military careers.
  I am pleased to join in the accolades for Mr. Walter M. Lawson, Jr., 
and his inestimable record of service as he is inducted into the Ohio 
Veterans Hall of Fame.

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