[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 52 (Monday, March 26, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E377]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING LLOYD CLINTON ``SONNY'' MARTIN

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. H. MORGAN GRIFFITH

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 26, 2018

  Mr. GRIFFITH. Mr. Speaker, I honor the life of Lloyd Clinton 
``Sonny'' Martin of Pennington Gap. Sonny passed away on March 8, 2018 
at the age of 82. He was a man who devoted himself to helping people in 
Lee County, whether his customers or his community at large.
  Sonny made his living as a community banker, spending over 60 years 
in the business, most notably at Powell Valley National Bank (PVNB). He 
began as a loan officer, subsequently rose to president and chief 
executive officer, and remained active on the board until the end of 
his life. In addition, he served two terms as a member of the Virginia 
Bankers Association Board of Directors. Devoted to helping people, and 
talented at it, Sonny made customer service a hallmark of his career. 
According to PVNB Executive Vice President Leton Harding as quoted in 
the Kingsport Times-News, Sonny's philosophy was, ``We are a true 
community bank serving everyone in the community.''
  Sonny improved Southwest Virginia through his career, but he found 
other ways to do so as well. As a member of the Commonwealth 
Transportation Board, first as a representative of the Bristol District 
and then as an at-large member for rural areas, he advocated for 
Southwest Virginia's interests. After Lee County's hospital closed in 
2013, he led the search for ways to reopen it. He also served on the 
Pennington Gap Town Council. Sonny was a veteran of the United States 
Army and a member of the First Baptist Church in Pennington Gap. In 
2004, he cast a vote for president as an elector in the Elector 
College. In recognition of his contributions to the Commonwealth of 
Virginia, he received the Patrick Henry Award.
  Survivors include Sonny's wife of 59 years, Joyce, daughters Mary 
Virginia ``Jennie'' and husband Scott Joy and Karen and husband Tony 
LaScola, and granddaughters Lauren and Carolyn Joy. I offer my 
condolences to his family, as well as my gratitude for all his services 
on behalf of Southwest Virginia.