[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 10]
[Senate]
[Page 13852]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   TRIBUTE TO SONYA DAMSKER LEFKOVITS

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to pay tribute to 
Sonya Damsker Lefkovits, who is being honored by the Columbiana Chamber 
of Commerce for her dedication and service to her community.
  Sonya was born May 6, 1923, in Memphis, TN, to Louis and Helen 
Richberger Damsker. Raised in Tyler, TX, Sonya graduated from Tyler 
High School and went on to attend Louisiana State University, where she 
earned a degree in public school music. Following her graduation at 
LSU, Sonya moved to Birmingham to work at the Jewish Welfare Board as 
its first activities director. It was there that she met her future 
husband, Norman Leo Lefkovits.
  In July, 1947, Sonya married Norman Leo Lefkovits, and she moved to 
Columbiana to operate the Lefkovits family mercantile store, The 
Columbiana Leader. Since arriving in Columbiana, AL, nearly 63 years 
ago, Sonya has been an integral member of her community. In 1949, she 
became a charter member of the Vignette Club, which gave her the 
opportunity to participate in various community projects. Among her 
proudest achievements was working on the building committee during the 
construction of the Columbia Library when she was chairman of the 
Columbiana Library Board.
  Sonya has also held various community leadership positions. She was a 
member of the Shelby County High School Band Boosters Club, the womens 
coordinator for the Columbiana Civil Defense Organization, and 
cochairman of the Shelby County Civil War Centennial Commemoration. 
Sonya was an active member of the Shelby County Historical Society. In 
1999, Sonya helped to form the Columbiana Merchants and Professional 
Association, where she worked on the Columbiana Downtown Renovation 
Committee. She also served as an ambassador to the South Shelby Chamber 
of Commerce.
  Sonya has two children, Norman Leo Lefkovits, Jr. and Marsha Phyllis 
Lefkovits, both of whom now reside in California. In the early 1980s, 
Marsha served with distinction as a member of my staff in Washington, 
DC. Soon, Sonya will be leaving Columbiana to join her children on the 
west coast.
  I am sure that Sonya will be sorely missed in Columbiana, whose 
residents will reap the benefits of her contributions to their 
community for years to come. Regardless of where she resides, I know 
that she will continue to touch the lives of everyone fortunate enough 
to meet her.
  I wish Sonya luck on her journey west, and I ask this entire Senate 
to join me in recognizing and honoring the life and career of my good 
friend Sonya Lefkovits.

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