[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 65 (Thursday, May 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E879-E880]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       A TRIBUTE TO ELWIN HODGES

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                            HON. TOM LATHAM

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2011

  Mr. LATHAM. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Elwin Hodges for 
being the recipient of the Spirit Award at the 2011 Humboldt County 
Spirit Awards.
  The Humboldt County Spirit Awards were established to recognize and 
honor outstanding groups and individuals who have worked for the 
benefit of all citizens of Humboldt County, to celebrate the 
accomplishments and activities of our communities, to acknowledge the 
value of volunteerism in the county, and to have a positive impact on 
community spirit.
  Annually included in the Spirit Awards, the Spirit Award is presented 
to a leader in the community and recognizes longtime achievement of 
community support or a superior effort on behalf of the Humboldt 
community. Elwin has consistently been finding new ways to help those 
around him for more than 50 years. A 55-year member of the Lions Club, 
Elwin recently was awarded the Lions International President's Medal, 
which is the second highest award a Lion can receive. He earned this 
award through commitment to the local vision program for school 
children, years of service to the Department of Social Services, 
donations of hundreds of pounds of vegetables to the Upper Des Moines 
and the Food Pantry from his own garden, and most interestingly, by 
inventing the hand-crafted ``Fort-U-Nut'' to provide thousands of 
messages of cheer and inspiration to those that need them most.
  Mr. Speaker, I am honored to represent Elwin in the United States 
Congress. I know that my colleagues join me in commending them for 
their sincere dedication to establishing a better community and wish 
them continued success well into the future

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