[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 133 (Friday, October 5, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1683]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      RECOGNITION OF SAM F. HAMRA

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BILLY LONG

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 5, 2012

  Mr. LONG. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Sam F. Hamra.
  On October 11, Legal Services of Southern Missouri (LSSM) will 
dedicate their new building, the ``Sam F. Hamra Center for Justice.'' 
It is my hope that this building will help LSSM provide services to 
Missourians for many years to come.
  Born in Steele, Missouri, Sam attended the Gulf Coast Military 
Academy in Mississippi and went on to receive both business and law 
degrees from the University of Missouri. After receiving his first 
degree, he served as an officer in the United States Army Field 
Artillery and Second Armored Cavalry Regiment. After his service he 
returned to the University of Missouri to pursue his law degree and 
began practicing law in Springfield, Missouri. He would later become 
the city attorney for Nixa and the governmental relations attorney for 
Branson and St. Robert.
  As an alumnus of the University of Missouri he has been honored with 
the MU Law School Citation of Merit Award in 2003 and the Missouri 
University 2003 Distinguished Service Award which was named for the 
Outstanding Alumni of the Year. In 2012 he was the recipient of the 
Distinguished Tiger Award from the Greater Ozarks Chapter of the 
Missouri Alumni Association for his ``dedication and continued support 
of the University of Missouri.'' He also received the ``M'' letter from 
Athletic Director, Mike Alden, and Assistant Athletic Director, John 
Kadlec, of the MU Athletic Department.
  In 1976 Sam was elected as the first Chairman of the Board of the 
newly formed Legal Aid Association of Greene County, MO, known today as 
the Legal Services of Southern Missouri, LSSM. The Legal Aid 
Association was created to help low income citizens whose legal needs 
would otherwise be unmet. Under Sam's leadership, LSSM helped thousands 
of Missourians throughout 43 counties.
  In addition to Sam's accomplishments in the legal field, he is the 
proprietor of 75 restaurants across the country, including 28 Wendy's 
restaurants in Missouri. In 2009 Wendy's International honored Sam with 
their highest honor, the R. David Thomas Founder's Award, for being 
named the outstanding Wendy's Franchisee of the Year.
  Sam served on numerous boards among them the Foundation Board of 
Ozark Technical Community College, the Board of Cox Health Systems, the 
Board of St. Jude's Children Research Hospital, and Chairman of the 
Highway Committee of the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce in 1977 
when he was instrumental in expanding Chestnut Expressway from two 
lanes to four lanes from Highway 65 to Kansas Avenue.
  Mr. Speaker, Sam F. Hamra's contributions to the City of Springfield 
and the State of Missouri are far-reaching, and it is an honor to 
recognize him.
  Thank you, Mr. Speaker, I yield back.

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