WWW arkcity.net

By FOSS FARRAR
Traveler Staff Writer

The late Albert "Sonny" Beach was widely known in Cowley County as a hardworking, generous man with a positive outlook on life, despite lifelong physical disabilities. Now his story has its place in American history.

Beach, an Arkansas City native, died at age 75 on Feb. 3, at the Galachia Heart Hospital in Wichita.

He was born without legs and with a deformed right arm. But he adapted to his condition and did all kinds of work -- construction, home insulation, trash hauling, operating truck equipment and working for General Electric for 36 years. He did not consider himself handicapped and never accepted government benefits available to the handicapped or unemployed.

On Thursday, Beach was honored in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Kan. Tiahrt read portions of Beach's obituary into the Congressional Record.

Arkansas City businessman Greg Kelley provided the Traveler a copy of Tiahrt's remarks.

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today in honor and memory of the late Ira Albert Beach, of Arkansas City, Kan.," Tiahrt said. "Ira, known as 'Sonny' to his friends, was a model American."

Tiahrt noted that at age 10, Sonny learned to drive a tractor with mechanical aides on his father's farm. Despite his disability, he insisted on contributing to society with his work and his charitable ways, Tiahrt said.

"Sonny was well known as a generous man who had a positive attitude toward life," Tiahrt said. "Despite hardships, Sonny Beach was able to overcome obstacles, work in numerous careers and raise four beautiful children who survive him today."

Kelley said Friday, "We need more people like him in America."