Bill Text: GA SR103 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Enrolled

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Bill Title: Lazzarini, Dr. Joseph A.; congratulate

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2009-01-29 - Senate Read and Adopted [SR103 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-SR103-Enrolled.html

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09 LC 94 0251

Senate Resolution 103

By: Senator Pearson of the 51st

A RESOLUTION

Expressing congratulations and best wishes to Dr. Joseph A. Lazzarini on the occasion of his 83rd birthday; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, Dr. Joseph A. Lazzarini, beloved husband, father, and grandfather and esteemed citizen of the State of Georgia, celebrated his 83rd birthday this past December; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lazzarini was born December 27, 1925, one of seven children, in Sabana Grande, Puerto Rico, a small town located on the southwest side of the island; and

WHEREAS, while Dr. Lazzarini attended school in Puerto Rico, he worked as a machinist in a sugar cane mill, contributing his entire paycheck to his father to help with household expenses; and

WHEREAS, at the age of 19, Dr. Lazzarini volunteered for service in the United States Army during World War II, with his first military assignment in Cuba; and

WHEREAS, during his tenure with the Army, Dr. Lazzarini continued to send money home to his father to aid in the raising of his siblings, completing his service with the Army as a Corporal; and

WHEREAS, upon completion of his service, Dr. Lazzarini attended the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania, focusing his education on pre-medical courses before returning to serve as a guardian of the nation's freedom in the Naval Reserve, the Merchant Marines, and the Military Sea Transport Service; and

WHEREAS, after proudly serving in the naval arena, Dr. Lazzarini took to the skies with the United States Air Force, earning the rank of Airman First Class while he was stationed in Spain; and
WHEREAS, while in Spain, Dr. Lazzarini graduated from the University of Madrid's School of Medicine and was united in love and marriage to Liberty Lopez de Ochoa, the daughter of a famous Spanish general, and the couple was blessed with two loving children, Beatrice Angela and Edward Michael; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lazzarini rejoined the United States Army as a military doctor after completing his residency in Puerto Rico and was assigned Commander of the Medical Dispensary in Barconne, France; and in 1965, Dr. Lazzarini returned to the United States and was stationed in Fort Dix, New Jersey, serving as a Major in the Army Hospital; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lazzarini took a break from his military service to train and complete his residency in radiology in 1972 at the VA Hospital in the Bronx, New York; and even after establishing a successful career in private practice as founder and Chief of Radiology of the Radiology Center of Aquadilla in Puerto Rico, Dr. Lazzarini returned to serve his country in the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel and Chief of Radiology at Fort Gordon, Georgia; and

WHEREAS, in 1984, Dr. Lazzarini was promoted to the rank of Colonel and went on to serve as Chief of Radiology at Fort Stewart, Georgia; Landshstul, Germany; Vicenza, Italy; and Fort Hood, Texas, before his retirement; and

WHEREAS, this distinguished Georgian was appropriately honored throughout his military career with such distinctions as the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Outstanding Civilian Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the World War II Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, and the Overseas Service Medal; and

WHEREAS, after an incredible career in the military, Dr. Lazzarini continued his calling of selfless service to the public, founding and providing free medical services at Caring Hands Health Clinic in downtown Atlanta to those in need without medical insurance; and

WHEREAS, an active member of the Knights of Columbus, Dr. Lazzarini has also dedicated his time to the Radiology Society of America, the American College of Radiology, the American Institute of Ultrasound, the Disabled American Veterans National Service Foundation, and the Military Officers Association of America's Georgia Mountain Chapter; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Lazzarini embodies the spirit of service, willing to find meaning in something greater than himself and dedicating his life to others, and it is abundantly fitting and proper that the outstanding accomplishments of this remarkable and distinguished American be recognized appropriately.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend Dr. Joseph A. Lazzarini's efficient, effective, unselfish, and dedicated public service to the citizens of his country; express to him their utmost appreciation for his sacrifice and devotion for 20 years in the military and ten years as a federal employee; and extend to him their most sincere congratulations for the celebration of his 83rd birthday on December 27, 2008.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Dr. Lazzarini.