ATLANTA (January 30, 2009) — The State Senate paused today during its daily business to honor an exceptional Georgian who has dedicated his life to serving his country. Sen. Chip Pearson (R-Dawsonville) presented Dr. Joseph Lazzarini with a Senate Resolution officially commending him for his 20 years of military service, in which he served in the Army during World War II, as well as the Navy and the Air Force.
“I am humbled by the dedication and selflessness Dr. Lazzarini exemplified throughout his career with the United State military,” said Sen. Pearson. “Today we honor a man who has continued to give back to his country and community even after his military service ended. Our country owes a great debt to his generation of brave servicemen and they must not be forgotten.”
Dr. Lazzarini, originally from Puerto Rico, volunteered for service in the U.S. Army at 19 years old, where he was eventually named a corporal. After working on a pre-medical degree, Dr. Lazzarini returned to service in the Naval Reserve, the Merchant Marines, and the Military Sea Transport Service. That led him to the U.S. Air Force, where he earned the rank of airman first class.
While stationed in Spain, Dr. Lazzarini graduated from the University of Madrid’s School of Medicine. He used his education to serve as a military doctor in the U.S. Army, which ultimately brought him to Georgia where he served as a lieutenant colonel and chief of radiology at Fort Gordon in Augusta. He was then promoted to colonel and went on to serve as chief of radiology at Fort Stewart, which took him to Germany, Italy, and Texas, before he chose to return to Georgia upon his retirement.
Dr. Lazzarini, who celebrated his 83rd birthday in December, continues to give back to his community by founding the Caring Hands Clinic in downtown Atlanta to provide free medical services to those without insurance. He is also an active member of the Knights of Columbus, the Georgia Mountain chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, the Disabled American Veterans National Service Foundation, and the Radiology Society of America, among others.
Dr. Lazzarini’s son, Edward, joined his father for this special recognition. Edward has also chosen a life of public service in the military, and will soon be deployed to Afghanistan. This will be his third deployment overseas, having already served in Kuwait and Iraq.
“I am proud to also recognize Dr. Lazzarini’s son, Edward, who followed in his father’s footsteps by choosing a career in the military and is being deployed to Afghanistan,” added Sen. Pearson. “The Lazzarinis are a brave military family, and on behalf of the Senate and the State of Georgia, I thank them for their service to this country.”
For more information on the Georgia State Senate or to view Senate Resolution 103, please visit www.senate.ga.gov.
Sen. Chip Pearson serves as chairman of the Economic Development Committee. He represents the 51st Senate District which includes Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Lumpkin, Pickens, and Union counties and portions of Forsyth and White counties. He may be reached at 404.656.9921 or via e-mail at chip.pearson@senate.ga.gov.
Press Release
For Immediate Release:
January 30, 2009
For Information Contact:
Raegan Weber, Director
Kallarin Richards, Senior Communications Specialist
kallarin.richards@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028