November 20, 2008 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — Extensions of Remarks E2323 

This year, Mr. Pedroia has surpassed his 

performance last season by leading the American League in hits, runs, and doubles while 

also batting in 83 runs and hitting 17 home 

runs in his own right. He has now become the 

third player in the history of Major League 

Baseball to win the rookie of the year award 

and the most valuable player award in consecutive seasons, as well as winning the golden glove award for best fielding performance 

at second base. 

Madam Speaker, it is appropriate at this 

time that we honor this fine athlete. His record 

of accomplishments is a testament to his talent, perseverance and character, as well as 

an indication of a promising career that is just 

beginning. I join the entire community in congratulating him for these achievements and 

wishing him and his family all the best in years 

to come. 

f 

TRIBUTE TO SAMUEL E. LANZA 

AND ELVA M. POUNDERS 

HON. TIM RYAN OF OHIO

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, November 20, 2008 

Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Madam Speaker, I rise 

today in recognition of Mr. Samuel E. Lanza of 

Warren, Ohio and Ms. Elva M. Pounders of 

Akron, Ohio. In recognition of their honorable 

service to our nation and selfless dedication to 

their communities, Mr. Lanza and Ms. 

Pounders have been inducted into the Ohio 

Veterans Hall of Fame as members of the 

Class of 2008. 

The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was founded in 1992 in an effort to honor and to raise 

awareness of the outstanding military service 

and post-military accomplishments of Ohio 

veterans. Each year, an executive committee 

reviews scores of applications received from 

across the Nation and recommends 20 inductees to the Governor. These inductees represent each branch of the military and have 

served in armed conflicts spanning from World 

War II to Operations Desert Storm and Desert 

Shield. Since its inception, the OVHOF has inducted nearly 900 veterans who, like Mr. 

Lanza and Ms. Pounders, have demonstrated 

a lifelong devotion to country and to community. 

Mr. Samuel Lanza served in the United 

States Marine Corps in World War II and, after 

his discharge, continued his civil service by 

advocating and assisting his fellow veterans. 

He joined the Disabled American Veterans in 

1948 and eventually served in every elected 

position at the DAV including State Commander. Mr. Lanza is a Life Member of the 

Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of 

Foreign Wars, Marine Corps League, and the 

American Legion. Additionally, Mr. Lanza participates as a member of the National Association for Uniformed Services and the past 

President of the National Active and Retired 

Federal Employees Association. For more 

than 45 years, Mr. Lanza has taken an active 

role in Memorial Day parades and decorated 

the graves of deceased veterans. For more 

than 27 years, he has transported his fellow 

veterans to VA hospitals and other medical 

appointments. In 1997, Mr. Lanza was appointed to the Trumbull County Veterans Service Commission. 

Ms. Elva Pounders served in the United 

States Marine Corps during the Vietnam Era. 

Upon her retirement from the Corps after 20 

years of active duty which she achieved Marine first sergeant rank, Elva made a commitment to assisting the veterans of her community. Concerned with veterans’ healthcare, Ms. 

Pounders worked part-time at a pharmacy and 

delivered medicine and supplies to shut-in veterans. She volunteered in VA clinics and medical facilities in Akron and Brecksville, and in 

2006, the Brecksville VA Medical Center 

awarded Ms. Pounders the 500 Hour Award. 

Ms. Pounders is a Life Member of the Marine 

Corps League, American Legion, North Coast 

WAVES 21, and the Retired Enlisted Association and the Fleet Reserve Association. She is 

the vice chairwoman of the Governor’s Advisory Committee on Women Veterans and she 

has served as a committee member with Summit County Stand Down for Homeless Veterans. 

Ms. Pounders serves as the Vice Chairperson for the Ohio Department of Veterans 

Services Advisory Committee on Women Veterans. In 2007, in acknowledgement of her exceptional commitment to local veterans, the 

Summit County Veterans Service Commission 

recognized Ms. Pounders as ‘‘Summit County 

Veteran of the Year.’’ 

I would like to commend Mr. Lanza and Ms. 

Pounders for their extraordinary service and 

commitment, both in the military and in their 

communities. 

f 

HONORING THE MEMORY OF 

JAMIE CATLIN PRAYTOR 

HON. JO BONNER OF ALABAMA

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, November 20, 2008 

Mr. BONNER. Madam Speaker, the city of 

Mobile and the State of Alabama recently lost 

a dear friend, and I rise today to honor Jamie 

Catlin Praytor and pay tribute to her memory. 

A realtor for four decades, Jamie was 

known to many throughout southwest Alabama as the founder and president of Praytor 

Realty; however, it was her longtime work with 

area charities and civic groups that gave her 

such a special place in so many of our hearts. 

Jamie served as chairwoman of the Homeless Coalition Task Force, and she was involved with the Salvation Army and in fundraising for the American Diabetes Association. 

She also served on numerous boards including: Forward Mobile, Art Patrons League, Allied Arts Council, Mobile Area Chamber of 

Commerce, Mobile United, Alabama School of 

Math and Science, Junior Achievement, USA 

Small Business Development Center, Mobile 

2000, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, Florence Crittendon Home, and Mobile 

Sunrise Rotary Club. Jamie was instrumental 

in helping to establish McKemie Place, a shelter for homeless women and children. 

Named Realtor of the Year in 1981, Jamie 

was an institution among Alabama realtors. In 

1974, she opened Praytor Realty with an allfemale sales staff, which was unique at the 

time. Labeled ‘‘Praytor’s Pretties’’ by The Birmingham News, Jamie and her team quickly 

built a highly successful and respected company. Jamie gave much of her time to the realtor community as well. She was elected 

president of the local Board of Realtors and 

became president of the state association in 

1992. This year, the Mobile Association of Realtors established the Jamie C. Praytor Humanitarian Award, honoring her service. In 

2001, Jamie was chosen First Lady of Mobile. 

A native and lifelong resident of Mobile, 

Jamie was a member of All Saint’s Episcopal 

Church. She had served as stewardship chairwoman, vestry member, Altar Guild group 

leader and president of the women of the 

church. 

Madam Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join 

me in remembering a dedicated community 

leader and friend to many throughout south 

Alabama. Preceded in death by her beloved 

husband Tommy, Jamie Catlin Praytor will be 

dearly missed by her family—her daughter, 

Ellen Praytor Wingard; her sons, Hugh Thomas Praytor III and Wilson Wrath Praytor; four 

grandchildren, Hayley Catlin Praytor, Hugh 

Thomas Praytor IV, Charles Lee Wingard Jr. 

and Blake Dixon Wingard; her sisters, Anita 

Catlin Miller and Martha Catlin Willcox; her 

brothers, Paul W. Catlin, James G. Catlin, and 

Charles P. Catlin—as well as the countless 

friends she leaves behind. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with them all 

during this difficult time. 

f 

HONORING BRANDON JAMES 

O’BRIEN 

HON. SAM GRAVES OF MISSOURI

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, November 20, 2008 

Mr. GRAVES. Madam Speaker, I proudly 

pause to recognize Brandon James O’Brien of 

Kansas City, Missouri. Brandon is a very special young man who has exemplified the finest 

qualities of citizenship and leadership by taking an active part in the Boy Scouts of America, Troop 1261, and earning the most prestigious award of Eagle Scout. 

Brandon has been very active with his 

troop, participating in many Scout activities. 

Over the many years Brandon has been involved with Scouting, he has not only earned 

numerous merit badges, but also the respect 

of his family, peers, and community. 

Madam Speaker, I proudly ask you to join 

me in commending Brandon James O’Brien 

for his accomplishments with the Boy Scouts 

of America and for his efforts put forth in 

achieving the highest distinction of Eagle 

Scout. 

f 

HONORING A TRUE SURVIVOR 

HON. JOHN CONYERS, JR. OF MICHIGAN

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Thursday, November 20, 2008 

Mr. CONYERS. Madam Speaker, many 

people, trapped in a cycle of despair, feel that 

there is no way out of homelessness, addiction, or prostitution. Exploitative pimps, callously indifferent law enforcement, and a lack 

of social services combine to make it almost 

impossible for some to escape the streets. 

Norma Hotaling not only successfully left that 

life, but has devoted herself to leading the 

fight to help those who remain behind. 


smartinez on PROD1PC64 with REMARKS